Sound Card

[admin_exported]

Hello,

l would be grateful to forum members if they could recommend an appropriate PCI sound card.

It must have s/pdif digital output (optical or coaxial) & be able to support up to 24bit/192kHz files.

This is to feed a pair of Cakewalk active monitors with a built in DAC.

Thanks

 

[xtsili]

http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_Essence_STX

or its ST version

http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_Essence_ST/

hard to beat for the money! The one and only audiophile card in this price bracqet. Plenty of reviews out there.

 

[Anonymous]

I used one of these for a couple of years. I recently upgraded to an rDAC and the biggest difference was in quality of bass (the rDAC has MORE bass as well but it's nicer to listen to). All in all though, they aren't as far apart as you might think, the STX is great value! Sounds especially good with headphones.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Hello,

l would be grateful to forum members if they could recommend an appropriate PCI sound card.

It must have s/pdif digital output (optical or coaxial) & be able to support up to 24bit/192kHz files.

This is to feed a pair of Cakewalk active monitors with a built in DAC.

Thanks

I don't know if you will find my tip useful but since you will only be using digital outs on the sound card, why in the nine hells you need a sound card for??? if I were you I'd get a usb to s/pdiff converter instead (those speakers you were mentioning don't support usb input that's why you need the converter). somethinng like Musical Fidelity V-Link. but if you search some bay sites I'm sure you'll definitely find even cheaper options.

 

[xtsili]

There are some interesting features in the Asus: volume control, equalizer, headphone amp, line-in (I hooked my old turntable and cassete deck and all play marvelously with my power amp with no preamplifacation at all) and finally mic and gaming.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response.

As pointed out, l only need a digital source hence is there a lower cost sound card, with digital out? (Asus DS 7.1)

Would a usb/ s/pdif converter support up to 24/92 files?

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Would a usb/ s/pdif converter support up to 24/92 files?

do you mean 24/96? if so the answer is yes. some newer products would even support up to 24/192.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, yes l do mean 24/192. The Musical Fidelity V - Link you mentioned supports up to 24/96.

If i'm going to change l want to go for 24/192 as a future proof up grade.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Sorry, yes l do mean 24/192. The Musical Fidelity V - Link you mentioned supports up to 24/96. If i'm going to change l want to go for 24/192 as a future proof up grade.

24/192 usb->s/pdif converter is rather new invention and they are not too cheap yet. I think it's due to use of this asynchronous USB drivers (you know, royalty fees but it's said to improve sound quality because the sygnal is reclocked in the DAC rather than by computer). but the cheapest converter I know of costs circa 200 USD in retail. search for: MHDT Laboratory USBridge.

anyway, you'd be better of with a 24/96 enabled because you'll not be able to hear the difference on that speakers. and 24/96 are considerably cheaper now. telling frankly, you may find it difficult to hear any difference between Wav and 320 kbps mp3. but if you really need 24/192 capable sender you might be better off with some budget sound card (i.e. something cheaper than Asus Xonar Essence). I'm afraid I can't tell how they stack against usb->s/pdif converters sound wise.