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AUdio on MiniATX

M

Marc222

n00b
Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
5
Hi there.


I am thinking of building a mini ITX system but there will be audio quality limitation due to lack of PCI slot for a sound card. I know there are some mini itx board with descent sound cards built in but still not good enough.
Would it make a sense if I get Asus Impact mini ITX board along with lets say amplifier with DAC and connect to sound card with SPDIF link? Does quality of the sound card matter if the signal is processed by an external DAC?
 
Last edited:
If you aren't happy with the onboard chipset, then why use it at all? Using the S/PDIF output is still utilizing the onboard chipset.

If you truly don't think the onboard (which you won't know until you've even used/tested it) chipset isn't good enough, then your only option is to use a different audio chipset. At which point, you can use an internal or external model.
 
Krispy Kritter said:
If you aren't happy with the onboard chipset, then why use it at all? Using the S/PDIF output is still utilizing the onboard chipset.

If you truly don't think the onboard (which you won't know until you've even used/tested it) chipset isn't good enough, then your only option is to use a different audio chipset. At which point, you can use an internal or external model.
Click to expand...

SPDIF is passing through... Not really "using" the on board in any meaningful way, unless you're using driver eq or effects.
 
Marc222 said:
Hi there.


I am thinking of building a mini ITX system but there will be audio quality limitation due to lack of PCI slot for a sound card. I know there are some mini itx board with descent sound cards built in but still not good enough.
Would it make a sense if I get Asus Impact mini ITX board along with lets say amplifier with DAC and connect to sound card with SPDIF link? Does quality of the sound card matter if the signal is processed by an external DAC?
Click to expand...

You want great sound out of a computer, you need to use a decent soundcard or a decent receiver. Onboard solutions will always cut corners.

If you're gaming, the Soundblaster Z is it. If not, the ASUS Xonar STX is it, for headphones.

If you just want good sound and can't use a card, then you need an external DAC/AMP setup (or just DAC with amped speakers). A receiver will do this over HDMI, but there are many great USB products that will do the same job.
 
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