Asus Xonar D2 with Corsair Sp2500?

[steve30x]

I will be upgrading my speakers , soundcard (Im using the onboard soundcard right now) and case very soon. I need to change my speakers soon because my four year old Logitech X240s sub is starting to clap out.

So I have been wanting the Corsair SP2500 speakers since I saw Tom's review of them. So I will want to upgrade my soundcard too. The onboard X-Fi chip isnt bad on my motherboard , but I want better for the SP2500's. Ive always used the onboard sound on every motherboard Ive had so I dont really know what sound card is good except from what I've read on the internet that the ASUS Xonar cards are the best for home use.

So I was looking at the Asus Xonar D2 http://www.dabs.ie/products/asus-xo...ides-hi-fi-class-audio-6C5Q.html?q=asus xonar My problem is if I want to change my soundcard for a pciexpress soundcard I will need to change my motherboard too because I have a mATX motherboard and if I put a soundcard in the PCIExpress slot it will be too close to my GPU. My GPU will only have a few MM to breathe. Heres a pic of the PCIe slots

I really want the Sp2500's , but my onboard sound chip would do no justice to them. So would it be worth changing my motherboard just so that I can change my soundcard? Also is it recomended to use the Asus Xonar D2 with the Sp2500 speakers or should I get the Essence? The Xonar Essence 7.1 is 100 euro more expensive and is a bit too expensive , but I will go for the Essence sound card if I have to.

I want to use 5.1 with my computer so I will be using the Logitech front (Centre) and rear speakers with the SP2500's. I will be doing that by taking the amplifier out of the Logitech sub and making a box for it so that I can use the three speakers seperately.

I know I will be asked what I will be using my computer primarily for and the answer is Gaming , but I also watch movies and listen to music on my computer hence why I want 5.1

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

Try the HDMI on the back of video card first. HDMI is digital sound and will produce way more than enough quality for the corsair speakers.

 

[-warheart-]

if you want multichannel audio go with the auzentech x-fi forte(probably the second best soundcard after the essence). much better than the d2 and the same price where i live.

 

[steve30x]

Try the HDMI on the back of video card first. HDMI is digital sound and will produce way more than enough quality for the corsair speakers.

The corsair speakers dont have HDMI input. This is the inputs of the for the Sp2500 speakers.

if you want multichannel audio go with the auzentech x-fi forte(probably the second best soundcard after the essence). much better than the d2 and the same price where i live.

That soundcard isnt available in my region from my search.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

They make HDMI to analogue converters. Also if your monitor has a HDMI in they sometimes have audio out jacks whether it be a 2.5mm jack and or a optical jack. What you would do is plug your HDMI into the back of the monitor and instead of plugging the corsair into the sound card you plug it right into the back of the monitor.

 

[steve30x]

They make HDMI to analogue converters. Also if your monitor has a HDMI in they sometimes have audio out jacks whether it be a 2.5mm jack and or a optical jack. What you would do is plug your HDMI into the back of the monitor and instead of plugging the corsair into the sound card you plug it right into the back of the monitor.

My monitor has a small headphone jack out like my soundcard , but with HDMI plugged into the monitor there is no sound output through it. I will have a look into the converter boxes though and see if theres any Irish retailer or Irish etailer sells them at a reasonable price.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

My monitor has a small headphone jack out like my soundcard , but with HDMI plugged into the monitor there is no sound output through it. I will have a look into the converter boxes though and see if theres any Irish retailer or Irish etailer sells them at a reasonable price.

That makes no sense? Why would they add a 2.5mm out jack if no sound comes out. Those 2.5mm jacks are there for when a HDMI is plugged in, from what i know that was there soul purpose.

 

[dipzy]

As KING_OF_SAND mentioned, the audio jack on your monitor should output sound, maybe the volume on your monitor is turned down.

My Asus VH226H has 3.5mm audio output and hdmi, im currently using it to output sound from my ps3 to my creative Gigaworks 5.1 and the sound is impressive

 

[steve30x]

It will only give sound output if I use the sound input jack on the monitor. If I use the front speaker output from my soundchip to my monitor it will output sound.

 

[dipzy]

which monitor are you using and are you DVI or HDMI?

 

[steve30x]

which monitor are you using and are you DVI or HDMI?

Ive used HDMI with my PS3 before it died , but I am using DVI with my computer , because HDMI input from my GPU to my monitor is a bit fuzzy.

 

[dipzy]

Ive used HDMI with my PS3 before it died , but I am using DVI with my computer , because HDMI input from my GPU to my monitor is a bit fuzzy.

ahh i see, because if you use HDMI, i think the output jack on your screen should work as HDMI somehow make it output sound.

Gimme 5mins and i will try this for you

 

[dipzy]

i tried it and it worked, you have set your HDMI as default in volume ooptions.

but you mentioned HDMI is fuzzy for you so for a sound card you could look into the auzentech x-fi forte as warheart mentioned

 

[dipzy]

, the auzentech x-fi forte is a great card, so is the D2X and the Creative soundblaster Titanium.

 

[steve30x]

The problem I have is if I am to change my soundcard I will need to change my motherboard because I have a microATX motherboard and the PCIexpress slots are very close together. My GPU has two fans and if I got a PCI Express sound card it will be too close to my GPU. Ive tried using SLI with GTX470's , but the top GPU only had a few milimeters to breathe so it was getting hot. So I will just have to bite the bullet and change my motherboard too.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

The problem I have is if I am to change my soundcard I will need to change my motherboard because I have a microATX motherboard and the PCIexpress slots are very close together. My GPU has two fans and if I got a PCI Express sound card it will be too close to my GPU. Ive tried using SLI with GTX470's , but the top GPU only had a few milimeters to breathe so it was getting hot. So I will just have to bite the bullet and change my motherboard too.

This is even more reason to get HDMI audio to work.

 

[steve30x]

This is even more reason to get HDMI audio to work.

Not really. Its kind of silly not to get a full ATX motherboard when I have a full size case.