ALC889S to Asus Xonar DS: will the differences be more than negligible?

[viivo]

Current stuff:
Klipsch Promedia 4.2 on Realtek HD ALC889S (MSI X58m.)

I'm considering ordering one of the Asus Xonar cards, either the DS, D1 or DG. The DX looks to be more than I need so I haven't followed up on it, plus my pci-e 1x slot is blocked anyway.

Would there really be that much of a difference for gaming and movies? I rarely listen to music on my PC so that's not in the decision. Looking at the 889 specs, they really don't seem worse than the xonar's, and even better in some (better DAC SNR on the Realtek, though I know that can be meaningless.)

Any help is appreciated.

 

[mfenn]

No, you won't hear a difference unless your mobo has a really bad implementation of the 889. Since you didn't mention any hisses or pops with the current setup, I doubt that's the case.

 

[Soundmanred]

You can hear the difference, but only if your minds wants to justify the cost.
As a funny anecdote of the power of placebo on the mind, I had a friend who wanted me to put a "high end" sound card in his PC to replace his onboard sound. I unplugged it, fiddled around in the case, plugged it back in a hooked it back up the exact same way it was.
"Oh my God, it sounds so much better! So clear and clean sounding, not muddy like that onboard crap." 🙁
Yes, I told him and I still installed the card he bought, but after admitting he couldn't hear the difference, he returned the card.
People are stuck on the not-so-good onboard sound of the 2000s, where there was alot of noise. Things have become alot better since then!

 

[mfenn]

You can hear the difference, but only if your minds wants to justify the cost.
As a funny anecdote of the power of placebo on the mind, I had a friend who wanted me to put a "high end" sound card in his PC to replace his onboard sound. I unplugged it, fiddled around in the case, plugged it back in a hooked it back up the exact same way it was.
"Oh my God, it sounds so much better! So clear and clean sounding, not muddy like that onboard crap." 🙁
Yes, I told him and I still installed the card he bought, but after admitting he couldn't hear the difference, he returned the card.
People are stuck on the not-so-good onboard sound of the 2000s, where there was alot of noise. Things have become alot better since then!

😀😀😀

Too true. I wonder what it is about hearing (vs vision) that makes it so much more susceptible to the placebo effect.

 

[viivo]

Thanks. I was just curious if the Xonar's analog DACs would be better than Realtek's, or since the DS and I think D1 have replaceable DACs, if there are any better that could be installed. I know digital audio quality would be the same between onboard and any soundcard, but my speakers are analog and I know better analog DACs can make a difference.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks. I was just curious if the Xonar's analog DACs would be better than Realtek's, or since the DS and I think D1 have replaceable DACs, if there are any better that could be installed. I know digital audio quality would be the same between onboard and any soundcard, but my speakers are analog and I know better analog DACs can make a difference.

Yes, the DACs and op-amps can (and do) make a difference. No, ProMedias are not good enough to tell the difference in games and movies. 🙂