!!!Why audio people despise internal soundcards!!! (this is usefull for everybody)

[nikk]

hi all, there was a lot of bs in that video, but the one that killed me was the soundcard's shielding:

it doesn't work because it has holes on it?

people who consider themselves tech savvy (and give advise on youtube) should at least know about the faraday cage

 

[Lazlo]

hi all, there was a lot of bs in that video, but the one that killed me was the soundcard's shielding:

it doesn't work because it has holes on it?

people who consider themselves tech savvy (and give advise on youtube) should at least know about the faraday cage

TBH I don't know if the shielding on a soundcard works or not. But I honestly don't think the rules of the Faraday cage apply in this case. First the shielding is only on one side. So it's not a "closed cage" if you will. Secondly the holes, or the parts that are not shielded, are to big for the effect to apply.

The more I research about that topic, the more I would like to take part in a real blind test under scientific conditions. Wich will of course never happen . And I'm really not the guy that orders like 5 different pieces of kit and return all but the one I think is best.

The STX is tempting me, but I'm not sure yet.

 

[nikk]

TBH I don't know if the shielding on a soundcard works or not. But I honestly don't think the rules of the Faraday cage apply in this case. First the shielding is only on one side. So it's not a "closed cage" if you will. Secondly the holes, or the parts that are not shielded, are to big for the effect to apply.

these may be valid reasons why an em shield would not work.
that it would not work just because you can see through it is not a valid reason, that's what i'm trying to say.



p.s. happy Xmas to all

 

[Remmy]

With the Faraday cage, the maximum hole size is determined by the frequency/wavelength of the interference, so you can't just say they're too big without demonstrating it.

Large Faraday cages used to house electrical equipment can have holes in the size of golf balls, whereas with other applications the holes may have to be much smaller because of the different EM radiation involved. Take a microwave for example, the metal mesh on the window has small holes you can see through yet your head isn't irradiated by microwaves when you stick your face up to the window to watch your ready meal spinning round.

Despite it visibly only being on one side of the soundcard, there may be an equivalent protection mechanism on the PCB. A grid of crossed PCB tracks on the back would complete the Faraday cage (just spitballing here). Even if not, it's a lot more protection than otherwise.

 

[nuke]

I can't understand how people can say they are wrong in the video without watching it first. When you cut people down it means it's all you've got and you've nothing more constructive to say. I'm sure TTL gets this a lot with his videos. You watch the video first and then you rip them apart. Is it true what they said about high output impedance with sound cards? Instead of having a faraday cage around the soundcard wouldn't it not be better to have the DAC outside the case like they suggest in the video? The front jack has more noise. Is that true? Is it true what tyler says about doing an AB test? That it will show soundcards sound the "same if not worse" than what's on the MB. I'm not an expert in audio hardware but, I like to hear both sides of the issue. It's why I come to this website and subscribe to TTL youtube video's. Showing lame videos of Logan's past at Tiger adds nothing to the debate.

 

[Mark3Max]

Hi nuke , I did watch the whole video to the very end.
And I'm no audio expert either but...
To me it sounds more like an informercial (without naming names or manufacturers) for this guys external DAC's.
I think the whole debate is what sounds better ? onboard sound vs soundcard , onboard sound vs external DAC or (Quality) soundcard vs external DAC ?
Let me start by saying I have never had a external DAC , so I can't comment on those.
Now I know onboard sound is getting better , but a good quality soundcard will sound much better than all onboard .
As most people here will tell you , get a Asus Xonar Essence STX and compare it to onboard. I could definitely tell the difference.
Also , I have front panel audio connected to my soundcard and when I have my Bose IE2 earbuds I don't hear any static or any other noise besides what audio I'm listening to.

I hope some of this helps you.

Happy New Year

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

Most gaming audio files are only 128bit stream, so you will notice very little to no difference. What makes sound cards superior to most on board is how loud they can go before distortion. Most audio cards (even cheap ones) if you are wanting to really blast your game a sound card in most instances will perform better. When it comes to music and FLAC files 512bit streams etc. an STX Xonar will blow away ANY on board audio, especially the 600ohm AMP that is inside for those headphone users.

 

[SieB]

More fuel for the fire

opcorn:

​

 

[Sir-Weasel]

More fuel for the fire

opcorn:

:lol: thats true
Here comes the fire

They did a blind A B test in this vid but bouth of them have have damaged there
ears ( they said it thereselfs). And they couldn't here the difference but i can
this is probably because i have a verry good hearing and a good setup (amp/ dac/headphones).
Flac also reduces the chance on distortion and mp3 by defenition loses a part
of the info (flac 512kbps / mp3 320kbps) this doesnt mean mp3 cuts off the
parts we can't hear (the botom and the top of the spectrum)= flac is better.
But unnecessary to enjoy your favorite music.
these are my thoughts on this feel free to disagree

about the tube amps one thing : !!PERSONAL PREFERENCE!!

 

[Snortan]

Now what I'm curious about is, he said that the human ears can only hear up to roughly 20Khz and anything beyond that you can't hear it. Is this the same thing as with the human eye can't see past 24/30fps yet a game running at 60+fps is clearly better/smoother?

 

[Sir-Weasel]

Now what I'm curious about is, he said that the human ears can only hear up to roughly 20Khz and anything beyond that you can't hear it. Is this the same thing as with the human eye can't see past 24/30fps yet a game running at 60+fps is clearly better/smoother?

like i said i have a realy good hearing i had it tested and i can hear quite a bit under and above ( 20hz - 20khz ). We do "hear" under 20hz but our brain just filters and ignore large amounts of this (don't know about above 20khz). imo this (sounds under 20hz) is what makes sounds sound natural, as if you were there.
I know this might seems bs to some people :lol:

=> it's like you stated in my opinion

 

[Warchild]

Now what I'm curious about is, he said that the human ears can only hear up to roughly 20Khz and anything beyond that you can't hear it. Is this the same thing as with the human eye can't see past 24/30fps yet a game running at 60+fps is clearly better/smoother?

Please dont derail the topic.

There are many google posts that attempt/succeed/fail at debunking that myth.

I purchased the essence one recently and returned it. NOT because it is bad. On the contrary the sound was fantastic. I just hated seeing peripherals and external equipment. I like stealth with everything hidden away in the case with no cables etc showing on the desk.

Couldn't justify the price being worth it considering I already own and remain using the STX.

 

[Snortan]

Please don't derail the topic.

There are many google posts that attempt/succeed/fail at debunking that myth.

How am I derailing the topic? It's a genuine question after seeing their latest video...

 

[Sir-Weasel]

How am I derailing the topic? It's a genuine question after seeing their latest video...

Was my answer on your question what you wanted to hear or did you want a scientific answer ( i can do that if you want).

 

[Snortan]

Was my answer on your question what you wanted to hear or did you want a scientific answer ( i can do that if you want).

A scientific answer would be nice

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

I love it when people say their is no difference between 512bit/320bit FLAC and 128bit MP3. Just because THEY cannot here it does not mean others cannot. This is what separates a true audiophile from the rest. With my Audio Technicas and my STX I can hear a VERY clear difference between most MP3 and FLAC. I can also tell the difference between a digital AMP designed to sound like a tube and a real tube.

 

[grassman]

I got a Xonar Essence STX for $90 CAD.

I use it for its AMP, Please enlighten me as to why it sucks?

@ king of sand

It depends on the quality of the MP3..

I only grab FLAC to ensure I have high quality audio files.

 

[Chadwokie]

lol so just did the blind test........ and i could tell a differnce (tho only because i focusing on it if i was doing anything else at the time which i would be) the only problem is and most likely due to ignorance i thought sample 2 was the better sounding :S

i think the main point i get from the video is ...... if you dont know enough about sound and sound tech (or a audiophile if you prefer) you wont need a sound card.

if you do care enough about sound then more than likely you will already have made your mind up about it

 

[s3ns3]

I love it when people say their is no difference between 512bit/320bit FLAC and 128bit MP3.

ofc there is. so does 320 mp3 vs 128 mp3. they are talking about 320bit mp3.which do sound good

 

[Lazlo]

I love it when people say their is no difference between 512bit/320bit FLAC and 128bit MP3. Just because THEY cannot here it does not mean others cannot. This is what separates a true audiophile from the rest. With my Audio Technicas and my STX I can hear a VERY clear difference between most MP3 and FLAC. I can also tell the difference between a digital AMP designed to sound like a tube and a real tube.

They didn't say that in the video. They compared "lossless flac" with "320kbit/s mp3s". I don't think anybody in their right mind would claim 128kbit/s mp3s can compete with flac.
The one thing I can contribute is, that I did a hands on comparison of a xonar ds and the onboard on my gigabyte z87 ud4h with audio technica m50 headphones.I went back and forth a couple of times and I could not hear a notable difference. Source was a CD. Yes I'm old school.