Interested in buying a sound card

[Techno Tortoise]

looking at the asus range of sound cards herd that there is a massive difference in games and music, i have a nice stack i hook my speakers up to and i use headphones from time to time.

Any recomendations or tips about £100 budget tops?

 

[jamesriley94]

What headphones and speakers do you have? and what's the budget?

 

[Excalabur50]

Dont know what 100 pound buys but take a good look at the d2x or stx if u want premium sound or dx or d1 if u just want some very good sound.

 

[jamesriley94]

Sorry - misread the £100

Basically - to drive any decent headphones, you need a headphone amp.
Now the 2 options are to buy something like a D2X/DX and then a headphone amp, or get the Essence ST/STX which has a build in headphone amp.

However - I personally don't notice a massive amount of difference between on-board audio and my STX through speakers - There clearly is a difference there - but I wouldnt spend £140 on the STX just for speakers - because I think it would be a bit of a waste. Through headphones though - the STX is amazing.

So for me - it would really depend on how much you use your headphones, and what headphones they are before advising - otherwise you may just end up throwing money away.

 

[Techno Tortoise]

Sorry - misread the £100

Basically - to drive any decent headphones, you need a headphone amp.
Now the 2 options are to buy something like a D2X/DX and then a headphone amp, or get the Essence ST/STX which has a build in headphone amp.

However - I personally don't notice a massive amount of difference between on-board audio and my STX through speakers - There clearly is a difference there - but I wouldnt spend £140 on the STX just for speakers - because I think it would be a bit of a waste. Through headphones though - the STX is amazing.

So for me - it would really depend on how much you use your headphones, and what headphones they are before advising - otherwise you may just end up throwing money away.

Apple ones crap I know. I want to get some better ones that will work with my Sony xperia s I'm planning on getting a Mic for games. I listen to music practically all day and smash a few games out as well starred using earphones allot recently since the other half I watching tv in the same room

 

[jamesriley94]

If you want headphones to work properly on a phone or iPod or something they need to have a headphone amp and DAC.
Basically - there's no point in spending a lot on headphones if you dont drive them properly, and there's no point in spending a lot on a soundcard, DAC or amp if you don't have good enough headphones for them to power.

Having said that - my headphones work *okay* through my iPad and phone. I say okay because they sound alright, but due to a lack of amp they can't get particularly loud.

You have a few options because of this:
Get something like a D2X. This soundcard doesnt have a headphone amp - so you could get: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-E5-BK-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347880439&sr=1-1
to amp up the headphones.
That could then be used on your phone or iPod too to give you a better audio experience on that.

Or...

You could just accept that your audio experience is not going to be as good on your phone and get the Essence STX - then save up for a DAC/Headphone amp especially for the phone or iPod like:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-DAC-Amplifier/dp/B003N0XDT4

Either way - these will both probably cost more than your £100 budget - and even more with the headphones - which as I said you need to spend a fair bit on to make everything I've just said worthwhile.

 

[PEXON]

Listen to you, you little audiophile

 

[jamesriley94]

hahahaha, just got that as an email on my phone and laughed my head off

 

[Techno Tortoise]

If you want headphones to work properly on a phone or iPod or something they need to have a headphone amp and DAC.
Basically - there's no point in spending a lot on headphones if you dont drive them properly, and there's no point in spending a lot on a soundcard, DAC or amp if you don't have good enough headphones for them to power.

Having said that - my headphones work *okay* through my iPad and phone. I say okay because they sound alright, but due to a lack of amp they can't get particularly loud.

You have a few options because of this:
Get something like a D2X. This soundcard doesnt have a headphone amp - so you could get: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-E5-BK-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347880439&sr=1-1
to amp up the headphones.
That could then be used on your phone or iPod too to give you a better audio experience on that.

Or...

You could just accept that your audio experience is not going to be as good on your phone and get the Essence STX - then save up for a DAC/Headphone amp especially for the phone or iPod like:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-DAC-Amplifier/dp/B003N0XDT4

Either way - these will both probably cost more than your £100 budget - and even more with the headphones - which as I said you need to spend a fair bit on to make everything I've just said worthwhile.

I might just get the Essence STX then, im not proper bothered how headphones will work with my phone just as long as they will fit and sound ok would say these http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/products/accessories/smart-headset/ do an ok job or should i go for another brand and up the price range

 

[Techno Tortoise]

what ?

 

[jamesriley94]

No that wont work on your PC...
When I say headphones, I mean headphones - not earphones.

The mic on that wont work on the essence, and the headset will be crap.

I mean headphones like: http://www.headphonethings.co.uk/images/Beyer Dynamic DT 990 Premium 32 OHM Headphones.jpg

Otherwise the soundcard is pointless

 

[Techno Tortoise]

haha id be willing to get some Headphones like that but, i was actually on about getting some good earphones and a separate mic for my Pc. Dont really want to be carrying some bulky headphones around in the street plus i ride a bike so id be to worried if they fell out.

 

[jamesriley94]

If you were thinking of good earphones - don't waste money on the STX.

The STX is the price it is because of the headphone amp - which you don't need for earphones.
I think you're best off keeping your portable devices and your PC separate.

Get some proper headphones and an STX for the PC - and as you say, just use earphones with your phone.

 

[Techno Tortoise]

Alright thanks ill probably get some headphones an a STX then thanks for the info.