Reddit mentions of Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp

1. It will make a difference compared to a MacBook's line-out, or compared to most PC sound cards. If you have a very good sound card, it's possible it has a good DAC and good components/construction and you may not be able to tell, but many don't live up to the standards.
   

• Quick question - what kind of PC, what kind of sound card (if you know) and how are you connecting everything?
  
  

2. You absolutely can get a DAC that will improve your sound for around your budget. The step from default line-out to any DAC is huge, probably the biggest effect of all; the step from low-end DAC to high-end DAC is both more subtle and more costly. But make that first step!
   
   The major factor will be the quality of your other components—but with the B&W and the Rotels, if your ears are good you should be able to tell.
   
   Recommendations:
   
   

• nuForce - pretty much anything, the uDAC-II is their latest offering and is US$129 over here. It has a headphone amp built in, but the line outs are excellent as well.
  
  
• the HRT MusicStreamer - designed more for direct USB to Amp connectivity (basically what you're looking for) and gets good reviews. Has the extra advantage of being "asynch" if you believe in that sort of thing. US$149
  
  
• Firestone Fubar II Mk 2 - I had the first version of this little DAC and enjoyed it, but ultimately I like the nuForce uDAC better. The Mk 2 may be better, it advertises new components and a better signal path. US$169.
  
  
• This Creative X-Fi USB box looks pretty nice, and reviews give it high marks for fidelity, but looks like it might have some flaws in installation/setup. US$99.
  
  I currently listen to the nuForce uDAC-II, with both headphones and studio monitors, and I like it very much. As I said above, it beats my (first-revision) Fubar II mainly in the stereo imaging and musicality departments, especially when used as a desktop DAC with the line outs. The Fubar was accurate as anything, but was a little flat to listen to for my taste. The Mk 2 may have improved things and in any case it's a very good DAC for desktop use. The others I have not listened to, but I hear very good things about the HRT MusicStreamer, and the Creative X-Fi product is bound to sound great, barring any difficulties you might have with installation.
  
  Any of those DACs I am confident will give you an improvement in sound. Listen in the details; the tightness of the bass, the smoothness of voice, the sparkle of the treble, the placement of sound in the stereo image; all of those will be clearly and (hopefully) obviously improved with a good DAC if you're comparing from a default line-out. The first time you hear the difference it'll sorta knock your socks off...
  
  Then again, if you don't hear a difference with your Apogee Duet II... perhaps it won't be that big a deal, and you can save yourself the investment. Also, is there a reason you can't use the Apogee with the PC or do you just want a dedicated connection for it? Another factor will be the source material, so make sure you're putting through CDs or lossless audio files, or at the minimum very high quality mp3's. Low bit-rate mp3's will sound pretty much the same regardless of the DAC you put them through...
  
  tl;dr: In my experience a good DAC makes a huge difference, there are lots in your price range, make sure you'll be able to hear the difference in the investment, good luck, let us know how it turns out :)
  
  (P.S: if it's ok to say so I'd be happy to sell you (or anyone else ;) my Fubar II (original version) for US$100. PM me if you want it!)

I have used this for about 6 years, very happy with it

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_50GjxbGPCQFDN


Here is the newer version of it:

Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 USB Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp and Integrated Beam Forming Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZT7RE4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_a2GjxbYXRZF08

I recommend one of these.

get this.
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-SB1240/dp/B004275EO4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1374796208&sr=8-4&keywords=thx+soundblaster

I do exactly what you plan to to with this

What is your least expensive "better than a cellphone" recommendation, I'm going to throw out this, although I remember it being much cheaper on Black Friday a few years ago

Edit: spelling

Not really.

Is your mic built into your headset? You should invest in an amp maybe something like this.

I use a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System to drive AKG 701s out of a laptop and it sounds perfect to me. It also has outputs for powered speakers and it does not require the Creative Labs software that comes with it to run.


EDIT: I use Winamp's equalizer(free).

get a soundblaster sound card. something the x-fi card and send on via optical, and the other via 3.5mm to RCA. The output to the TV via optical. I know you can mix toslink and usb signal and have the output speaker play both at the same time. Never tried with 3.5mm.

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-Preamp/dp/B004275EO4/ref=sr_1_15_sspa?keywords=external+sound+card&qid=1562090684&s=electronics&sr=1-15-spons&psc=1

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PS

since you want to combine 2 ps4, one comes in via usb, and the other comes in via optical. Then output to the soundbar via optical Problem solved. Any of the soundblaster external cards can do that.

I'm running from my onboard sound card through a pair of speakers with a powered amp in them. I'm waiting till I get more money and I plan on getting this amp.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GPV7AH4/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_d0_g23_i1_sh

This is a super basic amp and portable. You may also want a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) as well assuming it's for a desktop computer setup.

This should be a decent intro level DAC/Amp combo: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2QLPJM/ref=s9_hps_bw_g23_i2

I went with a Creative Sound Blaster. It replaced my broken headphone jack and improved audio. Just don't use the software. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004275EO4/ref=s9_hps_bw_g147_i16
And I also have this Fiio for using my Sennheiser HD280s at work. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RPD7KP8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004275EO4/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1404370423&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Reliable & along with a nice pair of quality headphones it'll blow anything away. & this is on the cheap side, look into the <$100 ones in the future

Hey guys, I'm looking to expand from mixing with headphones and getting some studio monitors for my setup.

I use FL Studio\Ableton to produce, and these are the monitors\DAC I plan on grabbing. Pretty entry level stuff, but they are well reviewed. Am I missing anything or should these pieces do the trick?

• Creative Soundblaster Xi-Fi USB Audio
  
  
• 
  PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-Way Powered Studio Monitors
  
  
• 1/4" to RCA cable

> Getting outside the PC case 9x out of 10 will yield better results.

Does that mean you would recommend something like this or this instead of an internal card?

Hmm, I must have looked at the wrong one. This is what I saw at Amazon.

You must have the small one, here.

I'm far less sure this one is worth using. I suppose you can try it, then try straight from the computer. Yes, you can increase the volume in Windows to about 95% or so, though some advocate maxing it out, then control the volume on the Magni 2.

edit: thinking about it, fuck no! I've been telling you BS that would result in a ground loop...

get an external soundcard that candle handle audio out and input, or simply a USB desktop condenser mic in combination with the Fulla 2

Will the USB one I linked not suffice?

Do I need something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-Preamp/dp/B004275EO4/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1450319509&sr=1-3&keywords=USB+Audio+System

Was hoping for something cheaper.

EDIT: Sorry, I'm not too savvy in this area. The only time I bought anything and got help from here is when I got my Sennheiser 558's awhile ago. Needed an amp because everything was so quiet, and I got a Fiio E10.

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-Preamp/dp/B004275EO4

I got one of these. It's an external dac/amp

Update:
After 2 hours of searching, googling and generally losing my mind, I think I found what I need to do this. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Diamond Multimedia USB Xtreme 7.1 Digital Audio Adapter for the ssound system.

Bluetooth Audio Receiver to not have to wire a cord to the back soundbar.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB with Phono Preamp for the headset optical in and out. Im not 100% sure on this one. It says THX but not DTS and i barely even understand what that means.

How did I do?

Hi, guys! I already have COP headphones that I really like, but would love your opinion on how to clean up my setup.

At the moment I'm running Custom one Pro headphones with mic and some random 5.1 logitech speakers that have headphone jack. I run mic straight to the PC but the headphones to the logitech so I can easily physically disconnect them to switch sound between headphones and speakers.

However, I would like to toss out those logitechs and just get a good looking solid 2.0 speakers and would love to keep the easy ability between switching speakers and headphones.

I was thinking of getting Creative Sound Blaster X (https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-Preamp/dp/B004275EO4) so i can connect COP directly and then add 2 speakers over RCA.

My questions:

1. Is that soundblaster OK? Are there alternatives with headphone/mic connections? (Also, does the soundblaster connects only over USB?
   
2. Could anyone recommend a pair of good looking quality speakers to connect over RCA? Maybe there is a top list of speakers somewhere?
   
   Thanks!

I just purchased a pair of JBL Mkii 5" monitors and I need a DAC to get them going. My concern is that I play games on my PC and I need an input for my microphone that I use with my headphones.

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Can I use the onboard headphone and mic input still after plugging in a DAC or do I need to find a DAC that does everything?

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While researching this I found https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_fRlYwbYAMVT40 this preamp which appears to have the headphone and mic input on the front panel. The speakers I ordered have XLR and TRS 1/4 inputs on the back. Will I be able to use the RCA out on the back of this device to get a signal to the monitors?

Sorry,i am not very familar with the amps, are the one i linked and this https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-Preamp/dp/B004275EO4/ref=sr_1_13?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1486500491&sr=1-13&keywords=sound+blaster similar or totally different?

You can get a USB to SPIDF converter to be able to run the Enog Pro 2. I know Zeos is using a Micca Origen 2.
https://www.miccatron.com/micca-origen-g2-usb-audio-dac-and-preamp/

I stared looking into this recently and read people are using this - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.20xCbD731TJ5

I have now experience with either though.

I've got a Creative USB DAC.

Thanks! ill check it out

i know this is not on the same level of products typically here but is this any decent at all?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_fRlYwbYAMVT40

Sound card for Audeze LCD-2?

I have my eyes set in the Audeze LCD-2's in the best future and could use a bit of advice regarding sound cards. I was using an Asus Xonar DX with Fiio e12 which was great for my Beyerdynamics DT 990 250ohm for gaming, music, and movies (in that order).

My Xonar DX is being RMA'd because of some issues, sold the Fiio e12, and I have been using a creative x-fi HD USB DAC/amp since.
I've been thinking of buying Schiit Magni but would that just be amping an amp out of the Xonar DX?

Thanks

It's probably your source, not your headphones. I got a pair of ATH-M50s a few months back and they sounded good but not great on the onboard sound card of my computer. I ended up getting this <$100 amp and it made a huge difference. Like night and day difference. I originally bought it with the intention of upgrading to a better amp later but I've actually been very impressed.

Also get some FLAC or other lossless recordings and try that out. With good cans you absolutely can hear the difference between various bit-rates of recording. 128kbps MP3s sound flat and lifeless, 320kbps is better but lossless is what you should look for if you want the best sound.

I found this guy, gonna give it a shot. Thanks!

So I'm currently using Sennheiser HD598's with attached Antlion Mod Mic 4.0. I'm not sure if it's always been this static-prone or just over time has gotten worse, but the mic produces a lot of static at max volume (no gain). I can't turn the volume down, because my voice is extremely quiet over this microphone especially in specific games. I've tried them on my onboard audio board (Realtek) and an external I bought (Creative Audigy FX 5.1).

I've done some research and microphone static can be due to the internal sound card having interference from other parts in the PC. Would it be worth it to try a USB solution such as this? I'm just worried that it might not increase the overall volume of the microphone, and am having trouble finding a microphone amplifier otherwise.

I also found this external card which is a bit more expensive but would that make a bit more difference in terms of mic volume + clarity?

Or would I honestly just be better off with a USB mic like a Blue Yeti/Snowball or similar in terms of quality, volume, clarity etc.?
 
I've done a bit of research but it all seems so vague. Most people recommend ModMic + "Audiophile" headset, but if the quality is so bad that people can barely hear me without a ton of static, why is it recommended at all? Surely I must be missing something here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=26BU3M408ON90&coliid=I3G1N5C1DBF0F8&_encoding=UTF8&tag=viralinfo-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=db6b8f7b73ad90d25b153c72f4baa636&camp=1789&creative=9325

has software controls built in .

https://www.miccatron.com/micca-origen-usb-audio-dac-and-preamp-2/

has a EQ in its driver suite software ..


Theres plenty that do .

and if not


USE 3rd party software system level EQ .


OR use the applications EQ control .


or in chrome install a fucking EQ plugin



EQ is not a issue if you want Driver provided eq buy a device with eq

Well that's most likely what I'll do then.

One more thing though. I just came across this on Amazon and it says it can power headphones over 250ohms, and has a mic port. You'd still recommend the Fulla? The price of the Fulla would probably be close to that price after CAD conversion and shipping.