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Topic: PC Sound card to be used with just headphones (Read 4253 times) previous topic - next topic
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PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Looking to get a PC sound card that I'll dedicate just for headphones use. Looking to spend around $100. Right now my current setup is headphone out on Hercules GTXP -> Pimeta headphone amp -> Sennheiser HD-590.

Listen to some FLAC music, but majority is encoded in mp3 --aps.

Currently researching the EMU0404 and the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96. The drivers need to be good since I'm going to use this in addition to the GTXP (which I need for gaming)

Thanks

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #1 –
some options:

- emu 0404
- m-audio rev. 5.1
- ESI Juli@

just wanted to give you a hint, i'm a bit in a hurry
member of the "i have a cat-avatar"-group ;)

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #2 –
With $100 dollars to spend, I would go with the EMU 0404 - it's a really nice card with great measurements.

If you are only interested in stereo, the Chaintech AV710 features a non-mangling chipset (VIA Envy24HT-S) and one (on the rear surround channel) really nice Wolfson DAC. The card is pretty cheap ($25 or so) but won't compete with more expensive offerings on other features.

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #3 –
Quote
With $100 dollars to spend, I would go with the EMU 0404 - it's a really nice card with great measurements.

If you are only interested in stereo, the Chaintech AV710 features a non-mangling chipset (VIA Envy24HT-S) and one (on the rear surround channel) really nice Wolfson DAC. The card is pretty cheap ($25 or so) but won't compete with more expensive offerings on other features.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=300788"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


The Envy24HT-S chipset sounds very familiar, isn't there another high end card that uses the same thing? Also I've read that the AV-710 can be modded to a different card (more features I think)

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #4 –
Quote
The Envy24HT-S chipset sounds very familiar, isn't there another high end card that uses the same thing?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=301144"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
A large number of cards use this chip (or another of the Envy24 family). The M-Audio Rev. cards all do, IIRC.

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #5 –
I use an E-MU 1212m + Pimeta and it's great.

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #6 –
Quote
With $100 dollars to spend, I would go with the EMU 0404 - it's a really nice card with great measurements.

If you are only interested in stereo, the Chaintech AV710 features a non-mangling chipset (VIA Envy24HT-S) and one (on the rear surround channel) really nice Wolfson DAC. The card is pretty cheap ($25 or so) but won't compete with more expensive offerings on other features.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=300788"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

If you're using low-impedance phones (Grado, typical portable phones, etc.) with the E-MU, you're gonna want an amp. The high-end Sennheisers will do okay without one.

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #7 –
I have an M-Audio Transit, can be had for $75 online and is a great little external USB audio card, no complaints.  The AV-710 is also nice for straight stereo, and VERY cheap, best bang for buck audio card (for music) I know of.

Scott
 

PC Sound card to be used with just headphones

Reply #8 –
Do any of you guys know which envy line cards has the most power output through the jacks? say for headphone usage?