Suggest a External Sound Card

debasish1986 · 15-02-12

Guys,

I use a sennheiser HD 595 with my ASUS xonar essence STX back at home. In my hostel I have to use my headphone with laptop, no need to mention the sound is not as good as STX. Can anyone suggest a good external sound card to use with my HD 595 and KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 pair that I just ordered?

Budget - near 5K but can extend a bit more, if value proposition is "awesome"

Thanks in advance
regards.

thebanik · 15-02-12

Would not suggest an external sound card but will instead suggest you to try USB Dacs/Amps like the Nuforce uDAC2

Not sure about the quality but Asus has Xonar U3 which you can try.

modeSEVEN · 15-02-12

^^^ Seconded. Here's the nuforce webpage link for the same:

NuForce Icon uDAC-2

BULLZI · 15-02-12

@op

Nuforce, Fiio are the options to look for.

CH3OH · 16-02-12

well if u are going to use it on ya laptop only then you could also go for some PCMCIA sound card which is supposed to be better than USB ones
for the usb, Creative USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Sound Card Rs. 3999.0 at LootMore - DesiDime, India's Shopping Community for Best Deals

BULLZI · 16-02-12

^

That card I used to have, but it cannot drive HD 595 properly. Actually, an external DAC is his best bet.

CH3OH · 16-02-12

k, u mean sumthin like this ?
FIIO-Amplifier

invader · 16-02-12

yes that rite ..

BULLZI · 16-02-12

^

DAC and amplifiers are different, some DACs have built in amplifiers, Fiio E series are amplifiers not DACs. A decent DAC will cost near 10k.

I am using Maverick D1 for last 1 year now, I like it very much.

CH3OH · 16-02-12

well, if u can get a E-MU 0204 USB, its got good reviews and is less pricey

debasish1986 · 16-02-12

***Guys thanks for your replies.

My number one priority is to do justice to my speaker setup. Headphone amplifier can take a backseat.

Amazon.com: KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 5In Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker): Musical Instruments

I will use this XLR cord to connect my speaker-pair to my laptop. FYI the input to this cord is "Single 3.5 mm jack".

Amazon.com: HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - TWO XLR(M), 3m (9.9 ft.): Electronics

I need a solution which will improve the sound quality over my laptop considerably. It can be USB or any other solution that you can suggest. Currently I am using Asus K53SV laptop which has ALC269 and I am using it at 24 bit, 192 Khz. It also has Asus's proprietary audio software Sonic Focus Synopsys installed but I don't think the software work when you change the default audio format to 24 bit 192 khz stream.

kris · 17-02-12

I would recommend the Fiio E10 over the uDAC, from personal experience. Has better bass and mids, while the udac tends to be a bit treble-centric. Its a DAC ples headphone amp, and also has a 3.5mm and Coaxial lineout for connection to speakers.

mp4nation.net/catalog/fiio-e10-usb-dac-amp-96k24bit-p-653.html

thebanik · 17-02-12

Originally Posted by kris

I would recommend the Fiio E10 over the uDAC, from personal experience. Has better bass and mids, while the udac tends to be a bit treble-centric. Its a DAC ples headphone amp, and also has a 3.5mm and Coaxial lineout for connection to speakers.

mp4nation.net/catalog/fiio-e10-usb-dac-amp-96k24bit-p-653.html

Do read the requirement first. OP is asking now for something which can drive his speakers as well, and with only 300ohms of maximum output that E10 would blow in its face if you try to run the 10kohm linked by the OP.

Anyways, I dont think OP you got too many choices, I guess Xonar U3 looks decent enough

kris · 17-02-12

Its a powered speaker setup and not a passive one. It will be fine with the E10

CH3OH · 17-02-12

true kris, its self powered so just get the E10 E10 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier (Black) [E10] - Rs.4,570.00 : Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India
or E7 E7 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier (Black) [E7] - Rs.4,860.00 : Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 PM ----------

but as the 595s are 50 ohms and the E10's output is just 32 ohms I'd suggest the E7 which have a wider one 16 ohms to 300 ohms and even wider output spectrum for under 5k and just a few hundreds more

15-02-12	#2
thebanik Staff I havent set my status yet. Rig Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,307	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card Would not suggest an external sound card but will instead suggest you to try USB Dacs/Amps like the Nuforce uDAC2 Not sure about the quality but Asus has Xonar U3 which you can try. __________________ Gigabyte P67A-UD7(EVGA Classified E760,MSI Eclipse,DFI DK P45 Plus, Foxconn Mars, Asus P5Ne-SLI, Asus P5B Deluxe/Wifi AP), Intel 2600K Benched @ 5.7 Ghz, AMD 8150 Benched @ 7.45 Ghz, Intel 980X Benched @ 6.07Ghz, AMD 970BE Benched @ 6.63Ghz, (Intel i5 680 Benched @ 6.44Ghz, Intel i7 950 Benched @ 5150Mhz, Intel E8600 Benched @ 5.71Ghz, Intel QX9650 Benched @5.41Ghz, Intel Core2 Duo E8400@4.6Ghz, e4300 @ 3.52 Ghz), Thermalright Venomous X, GSkill 6400 2 x 1 GB @ 1260Mhz , HIS 7970 (MSI GTX 580, MSI GTX 480, EVGA GTX295, Asus 4870 x2, EVGA 9800GX2, Visiontek 3870 x2, XFX 8800GT, Nvidia 7900GTX, XFX 8600GT), DELL E248WFP Monitor, CoolerMaster Benchtable, Antec HCP 1200W, Altec Lansing 641 400 RMS Watts with Auzentech X-Plosion SVGTECH HOC40 and HOC20 Review Corsair Vengeance K90, M90 and M60 Review Guaranteed 53X/54X 2500K/2600K CPU Gigabyte P67 UD7 + Intel i7 2600k Preview Strontium Ultra Speed 128GB SSD Review Gigabyte GX-X58A-UD9 Review

15-02-12	#3
modeSEVEN teh priesT! Semper Solus Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Singapore Posts: 818	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card ^^^ Seconded. Here's the nuforce webpage link for the same: NuForce Icon uDAC-2 __________________ my rig \| (((d-_-b))) <3 music \| [E] DotA 2 group member

15-02-12	#4
BULLZI teh geeK! getting into competitive CS 1.6 once more Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ichapore, 24 Parganas(North) Posts: 1,902	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card @op Nuforce, Fiio are the options to look for. __________________ Q6600 G0 cooled by OCZ Vendetta 2, Asus Maximus Formula X38, GTX 260, 1WD Cavier Black + 1320 GB WD Cavier Blue, Corsair HX 620 Watt, Antec 900, Razer Lycosa Mirror Edition, Razer Deathadder 3500 dpi, Beyerdynamic DT 990, Maverick D1 Audio Dac

16-02-12	#5
CH3OH teh pretendeR! may the clocks be with you ;) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NCR Posts: 130	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card well if u are going to use it on ya laptop only then you could also go for some PCMCIA sound card which is supposed to be better than USB ones for the usb, Creative USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Sound Card Rs. 3999.0 at LootMore - DesiDime, India's Shopping Community for Best Deals __________________ AMD 5000+ (Brisbane) @ 2.7431 11x 249.4 1.34V (stock cooler) Asus m2n68am 2gb Ram ddr2 @ 457.2 5-5-5-15-21 Zotac 9600 GT eco @ stock 1 X 320GB Samsung SATA 1 X 240GB Maxtor SATA VX450 LG E2041 LED 20.5"

16-02-12	#6
BULLZI teh geeK! getting into competitive CS 1.6 once more Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ichapore, 24 Parganas(North) Posts: 1,902	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card ^ That card I used to have, but it cannot drive HD 595 properly. Actually, an external DAC is his best bet.

16-02-12	#7
CH3OH teh pretendeR! may the clocks be with you ;) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NCR Posts: 130	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card k, u mean sumthin like this ? FIIO-Amplifier

16-02-12	#8
invader teh zeuS! Pink Floyd \m/ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Patna Posts: 2,443	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card yes that rite .. __________________

16-02-12	#11
debasish1986 teh nuB! I havent set my status yet. Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 17	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card **Guys thanks for your replies. My number one priority is to do justice to my speaker setup. Headphone amplifier can take a backseat. Amazon.com: KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 5In Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker): Musical Instruments Amazon.com: KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2 5In Powered Studio Monitor (Single Speaker): Musical Instruments I will use this XLR cord to connect my speaker-pair to my laptop. FYI the input to this cord is "Single 3.5 mm jack". Amazon.com: HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - TWO XLR(M), 3m (9.9 ft.): Electronics Amazon.com: HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - TWO XLR(M), 3m (9.9 ft.): Electronics I need a solution which will improve the sound quality over my laptop considerably. It can be USB or any other solution that you can suggest. Currently I am using Asus K53SV laptop which has ALC269 and I am using it at 24 bit, 192 Khz. It also has Asus's proprietary audio software Sonic Focus Synopsys installed but I don't think the software work when you change the default audio format to 24 bit 192 khz stream. Last edited by debasish1986; 16-02-12 at 11:33 PM.*

17-02-12	#12
kris teh priesT! status quo Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baroda/Trivandrum Posts: 508	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card I would recommend the Fiio E10 over the uDAC, from personal experience. Has better bass and mids, while the udac tends to be a bit treble-centric. Its a DAC ples headphone amp, and also has a 3.5mm and Coaxial lineout for connection to speakers. mp4nation.net/catalog/fiio-e10-usb-dac-amp-96k24bit-p-653.html __________________ M Y B L O G

17-02-12	#15
CH3OH teh pretendeR! may the clocks be with you ;) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NCR Posts: 130	Re: Suggest a External Sound Card true kris, its self powered so just get the E10 E10 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier (Black) [E10] - Rs.4,570.00 : Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India or E7 E7 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier (Black) [E7] - Rs.4,860.00 : Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India ---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 PM ---------- but as the 595s are 50 ohms and the E10's output is just 32 ohms I'd suggest the E7 which have a wider one 16 ohms to 300 ohms and even wider output spectrum for under 5k and just a few hundreds more

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Suggest me sound card under 10k	Simple	Sound and Audio	84	22-10-09 07:30 PM
Suggest a Sound Card	Ritvik	Sound and Audio	24	07-09-09 07:53 PM
Urgent:Suggest External tuner card copatible with DTH	Black Scorpion	General Hardware and Peripherals	12	02-02-09 05:36 PM
Suggest a sound card	mick_ralte	Sound and Audio	3	17-10-08 02:49 AM
Suggest a sound card!!!	bobazooka	Sound and Audio	10	04-07-08 09:19 AM