X-Fi XtremeInterference (Recommend a sound card)

So I'm using a G&W TW-J1 amp with Audio Technica A700's which (to my untrained ears) sound amazing with my iPod as a source. Absolutely no background hum or static while plugged in with no music playing until the volume knob is turned to about 3/4 of the way (which is way beyond necessary since 1/4 of the way is already quite loud).

However, once I use my X-Fi XtremeMusic as the source I have a background hum/crackling that varies from almost inaudible at 0 - 1/4 volume, to very audible from 1/4 onwards. But the most annoying is that even when the amp's volume is at ZERO i hear a steady hum whenever I move my mouse, which gets much louder as the volume is turned up.

So basically I'm assuming this crackling and humming is due to all the circuitry in my computer shitting bricks on my budget sound card. Unfortunately, my PC is my preferred source as I use it for all my music, movies and games. I was hoping you guys could recommend me some solutions. I'd prefer a sound card that isn't as susceptible to interference (over an external DAC) as it'd give me more software options (like CMSS3D, EAX or whatever) for my games and movies. Is it even possible to have a sound card that isn't susceptible to this kind of interference? Would an external USB DAC also be affected?

Weenaboy said:

So basically I'm assuming this crackling and humming is due to all the circuitry in my computer shitting bricks on my budget sound card. Unfortunately, my PC is my preferred source as I use it for all my music, movies and games. I was hoping you guys could recommend me some solutions. I'd prefer a sound card that isn't as susceptible to interference (over an external DAC) as it'd give me more software options (like CMSS3D, EAX or whatever) for my games and movies. Is it even possible to have a sound card that isn't susceptible to this kind of interference? Would an external USB DAC also be affected?

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Due to the dedicated headphone amp asus xonar stx might be your best bet: http://www.amazon.com/Essence-STX-C...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259744423&sr=8-4

Personally I have a beresford TC-7250 DAC feeding my AD900's

tisb0b said:

Due to the dedicated headphone amp asus xonar stx might be your best bet: http://www.amazon.com/Essence-STX-C...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259744423&sr=8-4

Personally I have a beresford TC-7250 DAC feeding my AD900's

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That looks like a solid option but an onboard amp sounds a bit dubious. Is it possible to bypass the STX's amp? I noticed it has an EMI shield which is nice, I'm wondering if those who have one have noticed any interference at all? (With or without an external amp.) Also this card can output a digital 5.1 signal to a receiver right?

Weenaboy said:

That looks like a solid option but an onboard amp sounds a bit dubious. Is it possible to bypass the STX's amp? I noticed it has an EMI shield which is nice, I'm wondering if those who have one have noticed any interference at all? (With or without an external amp.) Also this card can output a digital 5.1 signal to a receiver right?

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Have a read through this review: http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-xonar-essence-stx-review/10, the headphones they use to test the amp with are the Sennheiser HD595 which have an impedance of 50 ohms whilst the A700's have an impedance of 65 ohms making it a fairly accurate comparison. That review should answer all your questions because I really haven't done alot of research on the card myself.

tisb0b said:

Have a read through this review: http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-xonar-essence-stx-review/10, the headphones they use to test the amp with are the Sennheiser HD595 which have an impedance of 50 ohms whilst the A700's have an impedance of 65 ohms making it a fairly accurate comparison. That review should answer all your questions because I really haven't done alot of research on the card myself.

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Thanks. It seems that the card has a lot of features targeted at eliminating interference. I'm still worried that, with the amount I'm hearing from my computer now, it won't be able to eliminate it all =/.

Weenaboy said:

Thanks. It seems that the card has a lot of features targeted at eliminating interference. I'm still worried that, with the amount I'm hearing from my computer now, it won't be able to eliminate it all =/.

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Well your card is probably faulty, if you want to eliminate the possibility of interference get an external DAC and have it feed your headphones through the amp.