Suggestion for an Audiophile + Gaming Audio Card

[BeoR]

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After a bazillion years I am finally upgrading and my new rig is just about done. It is currently being stress tested. Anyway, the specs are as follows:

Intel i7 2600k
Gigabyte P67A
16GB RAM
MSi 560Ti-Hawk
... plus a bunch of hard drives and other stuff. ^_^

As I was looking at it, I noticed something different when compared to my old rig... it doesn't have a sound card. I am using an Audigy Platinum on my previous rig and as always, I never wanted to use the on-board audio system. So here goes my dilemma. Among the following, which would you suggest for a decent gaming and audiophile audio system?

1) Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD
2) Asus Xonar
3) Creative Labs X-Fi

I will be ordering "decent" headphones after the sound card. ^_^

[bim27142]

Asus Xonar!

Essence I think...

Ok kaayo ang Asus, I am only using Asus Xonar DX but I am more than satisfied with its performance!

[Krislan13]

Asus Xonar Essence STX. Ü

[dootmars]

Boss u can drop by this coming Saturday for C.E.B.U.'s monthly LP @ Oli's. Im bringing over a friend who's using an Asus Xonar Essence STX. U can bring ur headphones for testing.

[BackBeat]

X-Fi Titanium HD sir.. Currently using F4tal1ty Pro series, satisfied kaau! Hehe

[andz]

Asus Xonar STX, Asus Xonar Sense + Free Headset (senheisser pc-350)

[dootmars]

Asus Xonar STX, Asus Xonar Sense + Free Headset (senheisser pc-350)

Hastang lami-a ana! Price drop raba ang Amazon.com ani nga item.

[mickopono]

Get an Asus Xonar with the Headphone Amp. Personally I have an Asus Xonar DG (the cheapest one with the amp) connected to a USB DAC (FiiO e7) and an external EQ.

If you want to, you can also go for the "Stereo Receiver + Soundcard setup". Lots of old Stereo Receivers have a good Headphone Amp circuit and a good Soundcard would clean up the signal output.

Since your budget allows for it, Do not get a Headset. There are many awesome headphones you can get. I'd recommend buying an AKG K701/K702. (K701 is Open Type while K702 is Closed with a Detachable Cable) Personally I have an AKG K240 Studio

Gaming Headsets are not good when you can afford a good headphone. 5.1 and 7.1 headsets do not work very well. Good Stereo Headphones with Dolby Headphone software easily beat out 5.1 and 7.1 Gaming Headsets.
Despite being popular with people, Beats by Dr. Dre are not worth the money. Same goes for Bose Headphones.

[personalmgt]

Get an Asus Xonar with the Headphone Amp. Personally I have an Asus Xonar DG (the cheapest one with the amp) connected to a USB DAC (FiiO e7) and an external EQ.

Where did you get your DG?

I'm jelly.

[dootmars]

Where did you get your DG?

I'm jelly.

If i recall correctly..dugay nka nangita ana tian..hehehe..

@topic:

If TS would be using headphones, then a card with a built-in headphone amp, like the STX or Xonar DG, should do the job just fine.