USB-DAC vs Asus Essence STX?

[Ravenica 0]

Hi.. I'm somewhat new here.. So like the topic says.. Currently i'm wondering if getting a usb-dac vs getting an Essence STX? Which would be better for audio..??

Gaming isn't much of my concern anymore compared to last time.. Heh..

Edited July 19, 2009 by Ravenica

[Guest Rudi]

Some say that for pristine 2 channel audio usb dacs are better (no noise from PC), but as far as I know a lot depends on how usb is implemented on both ends as in some cases it induces jitter. If you look at discussions between USB and Firewire folks on head-fi and other forums you will see what I am getting at. I would use a sound card over the USB dac but I am a PC guy not a hifi guy. Auzentech X-Fi Forte does everything that Xonar Essence does and more for less money and the sound quality of both cards is top notch so have a look on the Forte card, I'd say.

[noinimod 0]

Hmm, that jitter thing is blown waaay out of proportion if you ask me. i've read that exact head-fi thread too and it's quite amusing to see how aggressively they debate lol.

 

Ravenica: Is this solely for usage with speakers? Since you don't care about gaming, get a stand-alone dac. I went from a xfi xtrememusic to a styleaudio peridot and the difference is obvious.

[Ravenica 0]

Thanks for all the replies..

 

Hmm.. Speakers maybe occasionally.. I intend to use headphones most of the time.. And since my priorities is more to listening to music instead of playing games.. I should skip getting the STX and get a stand-alone dac or should i get a dac/amp..?

[chesterqw 0]

if you aren't going to multitask while listening to music thru your DAC, then by all means get it.

 

if you are going to multitask, you are going to cry

so you must get a proper soundcard.