sound card dac question

[Anarchist420]

What 2 or 3 sound cards have the best dac and good circuit board quality other than the Xonar STX? At ~180, the Xonar STX is a little expensive.

I wanted to keep it no higher than $160, unless I absolutely have to get the Xonar STX.

Also, whatabout DIY/homemade EMI shields? I thought I heard something about using electrical tape or something, but I don't exactly remember what all that was about.

 

[konakona]

What are you using it for? If music is your priority, I suggest you take that same question to head-fi for usb dacs. I moved up from from a monica usb to a NOS valab, sounds wonderful to me after a few mods

 

[potato28]

Well, if you're gaming I would suggest the X-Fi Forte, and if you just listen to music the X-Fi Bravura. Both have built in headphone amps, and personally the Bravura works amazing for gaming on a budget, I bought one a few weeks ago because the Forte was too expensive.

Konakona is right though, if you want a truly amazing audio experience go with an external USB DAC.

 

[CKent]

Well, if you're gaming I would suggest the X-Fi Forte, and if you just listen to music the X-Fi Bravura. Both have built in headphone amps, and personally the Bravura works amazing for gaming on a budget, I bought one a few weeks ago because the Forte was too expensive.

Konakona is right though, if you want a truly amazing audio experience go with an external USB DAC.

The x-fi is an improvement over the audigies, but in reviews I read even laypeople said various other sound cards sounded better over Logitech speakers. Get a quality speaker setup or good headphones and the difference is even greater. In short, Creative sucks.

I have a xonar dx, very happy with it. Sound is an order of magnitude better than my old audigy 2. It's about a hundred bucks.

 

[Spivonious]

Any card with the X-Fi will sound fine (stay away from the XtremeMusic which is a re-branded Audigy 2).

Definitely upgrade your speakers/headphones first, or you won't be able to hear the difference.

In regards to EMI shields...are you experiencing problems with EMI interference? If not, I wouldn't worry about it.