So I am getting some 80ohm Darth Beyer's soon. I have an X-fi with everything on it turned to neutral no stupid bells or whistles. I have a PSU, a Zu pivot but no amp or DAC. I like the Corda Aria but it's too much $$. What can I do for say >$300 to greatly improve upon the X-FI for GAMING mostly. I am a serious FPS player and need to hear more seperation of sounds as well as clarity.
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Alternatives to Creative X-Fi
- Thread starter spaceman
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Ive got a pair of dt770s myself, an an Xfi, unfortunately there isnt much else in an alternative for gaming. Theres plenty of choices for music, but with EAX being proprietary and the Xfi's macroFX and headphone virtualization theres really not anything better for games
Thats not to say i like it, its a whole lot better than the audigy series, but i hate the monopoly creative has on the gamers soundcard market
Thats not to say i like it, its a whole lot better than the audigy series, but i hate the monopoly creative has on the gamers soundcard market
PCMusicGuy
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There is no other option besides X-Fi for gaming.
Sorry, but nopespaceman said:
DACs won't do EAX or any other hardware acceleration,For gaming, the only choice is the X-Fi IMO. I'd recommend you get a good DAC later on that will connect to your X-Fi's coaxial digital out and then a good amp
I'm not a DAC specialist by no means, but my $350 (purchased used) Parasound DAC has both SPDIF & coaxial inputs, and can output a true balanced signal. I definitely recommend it, that is if you can find one As for a Mr.X amp, he makes a KILLER PPA
As for a Mr.X amp, he makes a KILLER PPA Luthorcrow
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Good choice on the AMP. The DAC would be best for music. Amp set up for your 770s and call it a day. Trust me, BF2 will sound better but a DAC is a dead end on this one.
By the EA shouldn't get anymore of your money either. 2142 can set on the shelves until Armageddon as far as I am concered.
By the EA shouldn't get anymore of your money either. 2142 can set on the shelves until Armageddon as far as I am concered.
The DACs in the X-fi Elite Pro are the same as the EMU 1820M recording card, which I have compared to my MSB Gold Link DAC III w/Powerbase ($2250 List) and it is comparable, although the MSB DAC wins with the 96khz upsampling enabled.
Do not waste your money on an external DAC for gaming, chances are the parasound DAC or equivilent would actually sound worse because these days top-end DACs (like the CS4398 in the X-fi Elite Pro) outperform any DAC from a few years ago. The X-fi Elite Pro also has some pretty decent OP-Amps, not the best, for certaintly much better than most consumer sound cards.
Do not waste your money on an external DAC for gaming, chances are the parasound DAC or equivilent would actually sound worse because these days top-end DACs (like the CS4398 in the X-fi Elite Pro) outperform any DAC from a few years ago. The X-fi Elite Pro also has some pretty decent OP-Amps, not the best, for certaintly much better than most consumer sound cards.
Luthorcrow
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Zan780 unless I missed the boat this is primarly for gaming. Ultimately with companies moving form WAVs to MP3s and the general sound quality of games, I doubt $400 sound card is going to make a signficant differance.
I would start with that Mr X or other builder amp. In fact there is one for a wickedly low price on the for sale forums at Head Fi. Right now your 770s are not getting enough juice. The degree would depend on which model you have have (80/20/600 imp) but all of them are going to sound fuller (louder as well) and richer with a good headphone amp. Running a higher imp cans straight off a sound card blows.
Also, unless you are on a very tight budget (sub $200) I would make sure you get hooked up with a power supply both to regulate the juice and because for a non-portable rig, changing batteries every other day or worse during the middle of a battle blows nuts.
Later if you get into using your PC as a source and get the major audio bug, a new sound card, DAC etc will always be an option. But for games it won't make a big difference. The headphone on the other hand will bring a smile to your face and if you are lucky that will do it and your wallet will be thicker.
I would start with that Mr X or other builder amp. In fact there is one for a wickedly low price on the for sale forums at Head Fi. Right now your 770s are not getting enough juice. The degree would depend on which model you have have (80/20/600 imp) but all of them are going to sound fuller (louder as well) and richer with a good headphone amp. Running a higher imp cans straight off a sound card blows.
Also, unless you are on a very tight budget (sub $200) I would make sure you get hooked up with a power supply both to regulate the juice and because for a non-portable rig, changing batteries every other day or worse during the middle of a battle blows nuts.
Later if you get into using your PC as a source and get the major audio bug, a new sound card, DAC etc will always be an option. But for games it won't make a big difference. The headphone on the other hand will bring a smile to your face and if you are lucky that will do it and your wallet will be thicker.