Is it worth getting Xonar STX

[FrostByte]

Hello,

From what I read everywhere everyone loves the STX, and that a sound card is definitely the better choice over onboard audio. I can usually tell some differences in music quality with my onboard, and my promedia 2.1 from Klipsch. I know that they aren't super amazing, but I love it, and it's all I can afford atm. So the question is, is it worth getting the STX with my setup as is. It's either the STX or a new SSD, upgrading from my 40gb ssd.

Thanks

 

[jamesriley94]

I love mine.

But it's a bit pointless unless you have decent headphones IMO.

I doubt you'd really see much difference with your speakers between a Xonar DX, D2X and the STX.

If you plan on getting headphones in the future, I'd say get the STX. Otherwise, I don't see a great deal of point tbh.

 

[FrostByte]

Hmm, alright thanks. I would like to eventually get headphones, but I've always been more of a speaker guy. If I got actual decent monitors would I then be able to tell more of a difference?

I am starting to want to get good headphones though, and I know then I'd really be able to see the STX shine.

 

[jamesriley94]

Hang on...

I meant in my first post you probably wouldn't be able to see much difference between the D1, D2X and the STX...
All of those would be massively ahead of your current onboard audio chip.

Definitely get a soundcard - just maybe not necessarily the STX.

Different monitors - I don't really know tbh. I'm not a massive fan of speakers, and wouldn't be spending that kind of money on them.

If you do plan to get headphones, then I'd say probably get the STX. But you'd need to spend a fair bit on headphones to really make it worth it.

 

[FrostByte]

I misread, sorry about that. I'll have to look into those other cards as well then. Could have just been ignorant on that by just getting something great, to be sure that I'd never have to upgrade in the long run, just get headphones/monitors.

My friends don't see a benefit in getting a sound card, they think it won't make a difference, but I don't believe that they can tell the difference in the quality of anything, whereas I kind of can. Hence why I did the research on it before hand.

 

[jamesriley94]

You can tell...so easily.
Through headphones, the difference is huge.
Speakers, there's still a big difference, but not as noticeable as with headphones.

 

[FrostByte]

They just aren't anywhere near the audiophile/audio enthusiast that I am.

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it, it really helps.