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I'm just having trouble putting all the possible upgrade paths together since I can't/afford to do all of them at the same time, so I wanted to hear some suggestions.
This is the current equipment I have.
X-fi Extreme Music upgrade from Audigy
Old JVC Stereo Amp Model AX-R450 disabled EQ, loudness, and accoustic expander
Old 3 way speakers
Sony V6 with velour pads attached to headphone out on the JVC Stereo Amp
ATR35 lapel mic (it is way better than a lot of mics that people in CS:S use)
What is currently bothering me is the noise/hissing sound coming through the headphones when connected to the receiver. I know the easy solution is to connect the headphones directly to the card, but I feel that I lose some tightness in the bass when going through that route.
In an earlier thread I was shopping for a sound card, but I ended up with the X-fi Extreme music because it was an impulse buy at BB. I'm still open to switching this card out with something else. What I like about the card is that the mic input when enabled introduces a negligible amount of noise in the final output unlike the old audigy card.
Anyways possible solutions or combinations thereof.
Budget around $100, but I will stretch it to say $400 if it is really worth it or a combination of upgrades.
sound card - I'm still open to other sound card setups since the only thing I like about the X-fi is the higher SNR. I played with the cmss, crystalizer, and etc., but ended up turning them off and leaving everything as flat as possible. For the $130 that I spent, it's a lot of features that I didn't use.... Also, I've heard that non creative cards have a frame rate hit, but if it's a difference of say 55fps vs. 60fps I really could care less. However, I don't see how another sound card alone will solve the hissing problem.
new receiver with digital input - I was looking at some low end OKYO receivers that could take a digital input. However if I go this route, I need a solution for getting the mic to work on the X-fi Xtreme music because I use teamspeak when I game. I will have no problems with soldering stuff on the X-fi card if necessary. I did all the voltage mods that help overclocking for the P4C800-E motherboard that I am using right now.
other upgrades will be considered such as headphones or headphone amp, but I am leaning towards upgrading/modding sound card or receiver moreso. Plus, I use the V6's on an ipod and I do like how easy it is to drive. I know and read about the mint amp, but I still feel it is kind of bulky to carry around. When I get more money I will get a nicer amp and headphone combo.
This is the current equipment I have.
X-fi Extreme Music upgrade from Audigy
Old JVC Stereo Amp Model AX-R450 disabled EQ, loudness, and accoustic expander
Old 3 way speakers
Sony V6 with velour pads attached to headphone out on the JVC Stereo Amp
ATR35 lapel mic (it is way better than a lot of mics that people in CS:S use)
What is currently bothering me is the noise/hissing sound coming through the headphones when connected to the receiver. I know the easy solution is to connect the headphones directly to the card, but I feel that I lose some tightness in the bass when going through that route.
In an earlier thread I was shopping for a sound card, but I ended up with the X-fi Extreme music because it was an impulse buy at BB. I'm still open to switching this card out with something else. What I like about the card is that the mic input when enabled introduces a negligible amount of noise in the final output unlike the old audigy card.
Anyways possible solutions or combinations thereof.
Budget around $100, but I will stretch it to say $400 if it is really worth it or a combination of upgrades.
sound card - I'm still open to other sound card setups since the only thing I like about the X-fi is the higher SNR. I played with the cmss, crystalizer, and etc., but ended up turning them off and leaving everything as flat as possible. For the $130 that I spent, it's a lot of features that I didn't use.... Also, I've heard that non creative cards have a frame rate hit, but if it's a difference of say 55fps vs. 60fps I really could care less. However, I don't see how another sound card alone will solve the hissing problem.
new receiver with digital input - I was looking at some low end OKYO receivers that could take a digital input. However if I go this route, I need a solution for getting the mic to work on the X-fi Xtreme music because I use teamspeak when I game. I will have no problems with soldering stuff on the X-fi card if necessary. I did all the voltage mods that help overclocking for the P4C800-E motherboard that I am using right now.
other upgrades will be considered such as headphones or headphone amp, but I am leaning towards upgrading/modding sound card or receiver moreso. Plus, I use the V6's on an ipod and I do like how easy it is to drive. I know and read about the mint amp, but I still feel it is kind of bulky to carry around. When I get more money I will get a nicer amp and headphone combo.