USB Sound card recommendations

[Spidey8085]

Hey guys. Anyone have any recommendations for a good quality USB sound card? +-R1000?

 

[dirko.van.schalkwyk]

If it's not for recording:

Been using an AVR via HDMI for years

 

[eyetac]

If you can find an Asus Xonar U7 mkII.. grab it..

 

[Spidey8085]

If it's not for recording:

Been using an AVR via HDMI for years

This isn't what I'm looking for. I specifically need a USB DAC that will be connected to a switchable USB hub.

 

[Dom]

Hey guys. Anyone have any recommendations for a good quality USB sound card? +-R1000?

You need to give more details & use case.

 

[NI∀ƆOƆ‾⊥ᴚ∩ʞ]

I use this,

https://www.wootware.co.za/sennheiser-epos-gsx-1200-pro-pc-mac-external-dac-audio-amplifier.html

There is a cheaper version,

https://www.wootware.co.za/sennheiser-epos-gsx-300-snow-edition-external-usb-sound-card.html

 

[dash09]

I use this,

https://www.wootware.co.za/sennheiser-epos-gsx-1200-pro-pc-mac-external-dac-audio-amplifier.html

You ever used something with higher impedance than the 569 on this amp?

 

[NI∀ƆOƆ‾⊥ᴚ∩ʞ]

You ever used something with higher impedance than the 569 on this amp?

I have used these at 28,

https://www.wootware.co.za/sennheiser-epos-gsp-601-over-ear-closed-back-multi-platform-white-black-wired-professional-gaming-headset.html

 

[mradovan]

Screw the sound quality, it's the big volume wheel that does it for me
Asus Xonar U5 here

 

[dirko.van.schalkwyk]

There is a cheaper version,

https://www.wootware.co.za/sennheiser-epos-gsx-300-snow-edition-external-usb-sound-card.html

Wyk Satan!

🤤 pricy, but beautiful

 

[dirko.van.schalkwyk]

Now that we've possibly blown OPs original budget to Schiit ... here some DACs most of us will prob. never be able to afford

 

[Spidey8085]

You need to give more details & use case.

I work from home. I have a switchable USB hub that I use to switch my mouse/keyboard between my desktop and my laptop on the fly. I have the sennheiser GSP 300 that I would like to connect to the hub too so that I can switch headset/mouse/keyboard all at once between my desktop and laptop with just the push of a button using this - Takealot

 

[dash09]

Hey guys. Anyone have any recommendations for a good quality USB sound card? +-R1000?

Are you looking for a stereo dac/amp combo or something specific for gaming with like virtual 7.1?

 

[Spidey8085]

Are you looking for a stereo dac/amp combo or something specific for gaming with like virtual 7.1?

Minimum would be simple stereo dac. Dac/amp combo if the price is right. Don't really care much for virtual 7.1.

So this whole mumbo jumbo is to allow me to put my desktop tower in another room whilst keeping my monitor and peripherals in my actual home office/pcroom. This means I won't have to deal with my tower making my pc room even hotter during summer.

The actual pc room has a switchable USB hub that's connected to my mouse/keyboard. The USB hub is connected to my tower via an active USB cable routed through my ceiling.

My GSP 300 is analogue. So I can either run a TRRS extension from tower through ceiling into my pc room or get myself a USB dac. USB dac would be first prize but I don't want to pair with GSP 300 with a super cheap USB dac...

 

[dash09]

Minimum would be simple stereo dac. Dac/amp combo if the price is right. Don't really care much for virtual 7.1.

So this whole mumbo jumbo is to allow me to put my desktop tower in another room whilst keeping my monitor and peripherals in my actual home office/pcroom. This means I won't have to deal with my tower making my pc room even hotter during summer.

The actual pc room has a switchable USB hub that's connected to my mouse/keyboard. The USB hub is connected to my tower via an active USB cable routed through my ceiling.

My GSP 300 is analogue. So I can either run a TRRS extension from tower through ceiling into my pc room or get myself a USB dac. USB dac would be first prize but I don't want to pair with GSP 300 with a super cheap USB dac...

Ok so if you're sticking with the gsp300 no need for an amp, assuming you just want a cleaner sound hence the dac?
We not powering any audiophile type headies or anything here right?

 

[Spidey8085]

Ok so if you're sticking with the gsp300 no need for an amp, assuming you just want a cleaner sound hence the dac?
We not powering any audiophile type headies or anything here right?

Sticking with the GSP 300. Here is a question for you. How would you connect the GSP 300 to a pc that's in another room about 10meters away?

 

[dash09]

Sticking with the GSP 300. Here is a question for you. How would you connect the GSP 300 to a pc that's in another room about 10meters away?

Might be tricky because I'm not sure if you would lose some audio quality because of the length of the usb cable between rooms. The epos 300 is probably the cheapest local option, using a micro usb cable. If you decide to go for audiophile type headphones in the future (I do recommend this even if just for gaming) you will need more power than what the epos can put out.
The latest fiio ek10 uses type c, I'm just guessing here but that will maybe be more reliable than the micro usb. This unit can also power more higher end headies. This is also very future proof

None of those options will be at your 1k budget though. The asus u7 mk2, if you can find 1, has a decent enough dac and if I recall from when I had 1 can power up to 150ohm headies. Here though the usb cable is micro usb. If you can borrow 1 you're better off testing first

 

[Spidey8085]

Might be tricky because I'm not sure if you would lose some audio quality because of the length of the usb cable between rooms. The epos 300 is probably the cheapest local option, using a micro usb cable. If you decide to go for audiophile type headphones in the future (I do recommend this even if just for gaming) you will need more power than what the epos can put out.
The latest fiio ek10 uses type c, I'm just guessing here but that will maybe be more reliable than the micro usb. This unit can also power more higher end headies. This is also very future proof

None of those options will be at your 1k budget though. The asus u7 mk2, if you can find 1, has a decent enough dac and if I recall from when I had 1 can power up to 150ohm headies. Here though the usb cable is micro usb. If you can borrow 1 you're better off testing first

What audiophile headies you recommend for gaming?

 

[Aluroth]

What audiophile headies you recommend for gaming?

The Sennheiser HD560s is great for gaming. Especially if you pair them with a Sound Blaster G6.

 

[Chevez]

For your budget, I'd recommend a Syba Sonic from Amazon. The reviews are fantastic and you can plug a mic into it if you want.

 

[dash09]

What audiophile headies you recommend for gaming?

Cheapies like sennheiser hd range, beyerdynamic dt, audiotechnica m, phillips shp, lots of options out there. Can be affordable or can cost as much as a car, but the basic stuff will put you off gaming headsets.
I've used audiotechnica, beyer, but the sweet spot for me is sennheiser hd650 or hd58x (which I have hung onto for the past few years). No 7.1 nonsense, a decent dac and amp in stereo and it outperforms any gaming set.
I recently bought a gaming headset for the first time in 4 years, I bought it simply because it has haptic feedback, to try something different. So playing god of war and rdr2 with thx spatial audio on is lots of fun, switched to the hd58x in stereo and the directional audio is far better. No simulated surround can beat a good stereo setup

 

[Spidey8085]

Cheapies like sennheiser hd range, beyerdynamic dt, audiotechnica m, phillips shp, lots of options out there. Can be affordable or can cost as much as a car, but the basic stuff will put you off gaming headsets.
I've used audiotechnica, beyer, but the sweet spot for me is sennheiser hd650 or hd58x (which I have hung onto for the past few years). No 7.1 nonsense, a decent dac and amp in stereo and it outperforms any gaming set.
I recently bought a gaming headset for the first time in 4 years, I bought it simply because it has haptic feedback, to try something different. So playing god of war and rdr2 with thx spatial audio on is lots of fun, switched to the hd58x in stereo and the directional audio is far better. No simulated surround can beat a good stereo setup

I've got a pair of HD569's and I just cannot use them for gaming when compared to the GSP 300. Bottom line is I think I am just going to get a TRRS extension cable and see if it works. If not then I'll look into getting a wireless headset that I can plug into my USB hub.

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

[Spidey8085]

Bringing this thread back to life XD

@dash09 - I've currently for a pair of Sennheiser HD 559's and 569's and I am now interested in getting a decent entry level dac/amp combo for gaming/music. It does not need to have mic input but it does need to have either 3.5mm in or SPDIF in.

Also, is there a local online shop you know of for audiophile gear? C-Plan Audio - Audio Equipment Specialists for Mobile and Home - This place has some Fiio gear but I don't know anything about online audio shops.

Got any suggestions for me?

 

[dash09]

Bringing this thread back to life XD

@dash09 - I've currently for a pair of Sennheiser HD 559's and 569's and I am now interested in getting a decent entry level dac/amp combo for gaming/music. It does not need to have mic input but it does need to have either 3.5mm in or SPDIF in.

Also, is there a local online shop you know of for audiophile gear? C-Plan Audio - Audio Equipment Specialists for Mobile and Home - This place has some Fiio gear but I don't know anything about online audio shops.

Got any suggestions for me?

CPlan is legit afaik, I haven't bought from them but a colleague of mine has and it went smoothly, a while back though. The prices look about average for a local seller, you can probably save a bit by ordering from amazon.
The asus U7 would be the easiest option because it does have spdif, its not bad at all for music as long as you dont use the gaming features

 

[goldfritter]

Bringing this thread back to life XD

@dash09 - I've currently for a pair of Sennheiser HD 559's and 569's and I am now interested in getting a decent entry level dac/amp combo for gaming/music. It does not need to have mic input but it does need to have either 3.5mm in or SPDIF in.

3.5mm input is analogue; if you're using a DAC/amp combo then the 3.5mm will bypass the DAC and use just the amp part.

SPDIF input is unfortunately not common on desktop-style headphone DAC/amp combos. Any particular reason you can't use USB? It is much more common. Else I guess you can get a USB to SPDIF converter but then there is another expense and another, possibly weak, link in the chain. Also, do you mean SPDIF via optical/TOSLINK or via coaxial? Some support one but not the other.

You can probably get this if you must have SPDIF - it supports both connectors. But, it only has analogue out, so it will bypass the DAC on your DAC/amp combo: FiiO D3 (D03K) Taishan - Digital to Analog Audio Converter (EU) - 192kHz/24bit Optical/Coaxial DAC (In Stock)

Also, is there a local online shop you know of for audiophile gear? C-Plan Audio - Audio Equipment Specialists for Mobile and Home - This place has some Fiio gear but I don't know anything about online audio shops.

Got any suggestions for me?

C-plan is reliable, I have bought from them and they have a good rep.

Your true entry-level is the FiiO E10K which you can get from C-plan: FiiO - E10K-TC - USB DAC & Headphone Amplifier - Latest 2021 USB-C Version (In Stock) (E10k) (C-Plan Specials)

Next step up is probably iFi ZenDac which you can get from Takealot: Takealot

 

[Spidey8085]

3.5mm input is analogue; if you're using a DAC/amp combo then the 3.5mm will bypass the DAC and use just the amp part.

SPDIF input is unfortunately not common on desktop-style headphone DAC/amp combos. Any particular reason you can't use USB? It is much more common. Else I guess you can get a USB to SPDIF converter but then there is another expense and another, possibly weak, link in the chain. Also, do you mean SPDIF via optical/TOSLINK or via coaxial? Some support one but not the other.

You can probably get this if you must have SPDIF - it supports both connectors. But, it only has analogue out, so it will bypass the DAC on your DAC/amp combo: FiiO D3 (D03K) Taishan - Digital to Analog Audio Converter (EU) - 192kHz/24bit Optical/Coaxial DAC (In Stock)



C-plan is reliable, I have bought from them and they have a good rep.

Your true entry-level is the FiiO E10K which you can get from C-plan: FiiO - E10K-TC - USB DAC & Headphone Amplifier - Latest 2021 USB-C Version (In Stock) (E10k) (C-Plan Specials)

Next step up is probably iFi ZenDac which you can get from Takealot: Takealot

I have my pc in 1 room and have routed all my cables into another room. I have a 10m USB cable connected to a usb hub with all my peripherals. I'm using this to connect my usb hub to my headphones -> AI Noise-Canceling Mic Adapter｜Headsets and Audio｜ASUS Global

Problem I have is that every once in a while i will get this crazy static hissing and then it goes away. So usb isn't reliable enough for me.

My monitor has audio out so I could connect my headphones directly to the monitor, or i try to get a dac/amp to connect to my pc via TOSLINK.

A dedicated dac/amp should sound better than pc onboard right???

 

[Spidey8085]

CPlan is legit afaik, I haven't bought from them but a colleague of mine has and it went smoothly, a while back though. The prices look about average for a local seller, you can probably save a bit by ordering from amazon.
The asus U7 would be the easiest option because it does have spdif, its not bad at all for music as long as you dont use the gaming features

That U7 has SPDIF out not in XD

 

[dash09]

I have my pc in 1 room and have routed all my cables into another room. I have a 10m USB cable connected to a usb hub with all my peripherals. I'm using this to connect my usb hub to my headphones -> AI Noise-Canceling Mic Adapter｜Headsets and Audio｜ASUS Global

Problem I have is that every once in a while i will get this crazy static hissing and then it goes away. So usb isn't reliable enough for me.

My monitor has audio out so I could connect my headphones directly to the monitor, or i try to get a dac/amp to connect to my pc via TOSLINK.

A dedicated dac/amp should sound better than pc onboard right???

Maybe find something that has optical in? But then what ports are on the motherboard to plug into? I've never used spdif so cant comment on its quality, with usb however I'm sure the cable length is a factor.
An external amp/dac will be better yes

 

[goldfritter]

I have my pc in 1 room and have routed all my cables into another room. I have a 10m USB cable connected to a usb hub with all my peripherals. I'm using this to connect my usb hub to my headphones -> AI Noise-Canceling Mic Adapter｜Headsets and Audio｜ASUS Global

Problem I have is that every once in a while i will get this crazy static hissing and then it goes away. So usb isn't reliable enough for me.

Are you sure that hissing problem is a fault with the USB cable and not with the adapter dongle or the USB hub?

If you want to use TOSLINK you will then also need a 10m long TOSLINK cable. Which is open to the same sorts of challenges as a 10m long USB cable (they both carry digital signal). There is no reason to suspect the TOSLINK will be more reliable than USB.

With the options I have suggested (E10K/ZenDAC) your best bet would probably to get a 10m USB cable and bypass both the hub and the mic adapter dongle and plug it straight into the PC.

You can keep looking for something with TOSLINK input but I think you will struggle to find an all-in-one headphone amp/DAC that has TOSLINK input. You will probably need to get a separate DAC with TOSLINK input like the Taishan. You can maybe get the Taishan and then a 10m long TOSLINK cable and then plug your headphones directly into that and see what that sounds like. And if you don't like it, get a separate headphone amp with line level input and run interconnects from the Taishan to the amp.

Unless you have the amp sitting at the PC and use a 10m long headphone cable, but then A) you will face issues with the degradation of an analogue signal over that distance (which is less of an issue with digital), and B) lose the benefit of volume control on the amp, which is preferable to using the volume control in Windows.

My monitor has audio out so I could connect my headphones directly to the monitor, or i try to get a dac/amp to connect to my pc via TOSLINK.

You can do that - your experience will depend on the quality of the DAC and amp chips in the monitor. They are not likely to be very good, but it's worth a try.

EDIT: You can also maybe get an amp with analogue input of some sort and then use the aux/headphone output on the monitor into that. Then you have not-so-great DAC but decent amplification. That might be the easiest compromise overall.

A dedicated dac/amp should sound better than pc onboard right???

That is the idea. Even the E10K should sound better than onboard audio. You also have less interference from other components inside the PC.

 

[Spidey8085]

Are you sure that hissing problem is a fault with the USB cable and not with the adapter dongle or the USB hub?

If you want to use TOSLINK you will then also need a 10m long TOSLINK cable. Which is open to the same sorts of challenges as a 10m long USB cable (they both carry digital signal). There is no reason to suspect the TOSLINK will be more reliable than USB.

With the options I have suggested (E10K/ZenDAC) your best bet would probably to get a 10m USB cable and bypass both the hub and the mic adapter dongle and plug it straight into the PC.

You can keep looking for something with TOSLINK input but I think you will struggle to find an all-in-one headphone amp/DAC that has TOSLINK input. You will probably need to get a separate DAC with TOSLINK input like the Taishan. You can maybe get the Taishan and then a 10m long TOSLINK cable and then plug your headphones directly into that and see what that sounds like. And if you don't like it, get a separate headphone amp with line level input and run interconnects from the Taishan to the amp.

Unless you have the amp sitting at the PC and use a 10m long headphone cable, but then A) you will face issues with the degradation of an analogue signal over that distance (which is less of an issue with digital), and B) lose the benefit of volume control on the amp, which is preferable to using the volume control in Windows.


You can do that - your experience will depend on the quality of the DAC and amp chips in the monitor. They are not likely to be very good, but it's worth a try.


That is the idea. Even the E10K should sound better than onboard audio. You also have less interference from other components inside the PC.

So here is where things get more complex. If i plug my mic adaptor dongle directly into the 10 meter usb cable and bypass the hub, the static is constant. The usb hub happens to be powered. So anything over usb would most likely need to be powered on the peripheral side.

I thought TOSLINK was optical? An optical signal would experience less degradation over distance than usb?