Soundcard - looking for recommendations

Hello,

I am looking for some advice regarding a decent sound card.

I will mainly be using it for gaming, hd films, music etc. on the PC and maybe the occasional use with phone/iPod etc.

They will be paired with Beyerdynamic DT770 or DT990 - yet to decide, probably 250ohm.

What I am concerned about though, is paying for a decent set of head phones and still using on board sound, particularly having looked at a few reviews that suggest on board really isn't very good compared to PCI-E cards that are available.

I want to keep costs low, maybe around the £50-£60 mark, but might be willing to go slightly higher if it makes sense.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Fiio E10.

USB soundcard and headphone amp.

dont look at internal, as you want a HP amp anyway, with your limited budget its best to get them all rolled into one.

dont get the 250Ohm version if you want to use it on an ipad.

Procyon12 said:

Fiio E10.

dont look at internal, as you want a HP amp anyway, with your limited budget its best to get them all rolled into one.

Click to expand...

What's wrong with internal one? I have the Asus Xonar essence STX, and it's not a bad sound card for headphones.

Is the Fiio E10 better than the STX?

WhiteFireDragon said:

What's wrong with internal one? I have the Asus Xonar essence STX, and it's not a bad sound card for headphones.

Is the Fiio E10 better than the STX?

Click to expand...

nothing, but there are generally better options on the external route.

the ST/STX and too a small extent HT Omaga Claro+ are the only truly good internal HP amps, and you cant get them for 60 GBP.

the DX and X-Fi titanium are still decent HP amps, but there are better options for the price; they make more sense if you want dual purpose speaker/HP. for purely headphones, going external is generally more cost efficient.

Cheers for the help guys

I managed to grab a pair of Senny 558s with the 598 upgrade mod for £70, so have opted for the STX with the money saved.

Good idea? Seems you cannot go wrong with the STX, will last many years too I am sure.

yes