t21231 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I bought some Audio Engine 2 speakers but they sound terrible with my ASUS onboard audio. These Audio Engines sounded so good at Magnolia HiFi where I bought them. So I need a Sound Card. It has to be half-height to fit in my PC. How much do I need to spend to get the best sound out of these $200 Audio Engine 2 Speakers? I was thinking of this card: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card URL: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Newegg.com I can get it from NewEgg for about $20 after a $10 rebate. Is this a bad choice? Should I be buying a different card? Thank you Link to comment
maximum kahuna Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I bought some Audio Engine 2 speakers but they sound terrible withmy ASUS onboard audio. These Audio Engines sounded so good at Magnolia HiFi where I bought them. So I need a Sound Card. It has to be half-height to fit in my PC. How much do I need to spend to get the best sound out of these $200 Audio Engine 2 Speakers? I was thinking of this card: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card URL: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Newegg.com I can get it from NewEgg for about $20 after a $10 rebate. Is this a bad choice? Should I be buying a different card? Thank you What was the source at Magnolia? hi rez files? redbook files? What sound card? usb to an outboard dac? What source files are you using? Way too many variables to just say get a different sound card. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples Family Room: Panny TCP65S2, Panny BDP-55, DTV HR-24, SB Touch, Schiit Bifrost Multibit, Yamaha RX-V3900, Emotiva XPA-3, Rocket NM 550's, Rocket 150's, X-CS, UFW-10, Harmony 700. Computer Room: Dell laptop, Uptone Regen Amber, Schiit Bifrost Multibit, Decware SE84C+, Zu Omen, ALO National, Mr.Speakers Mad Dog headphones Link to comment
wgscott Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Spend a little more, and get the new Dragonfly USB DAC, and use that with the Audioengine A2s. I had that and it sounded really good, until I loaned out my Dragonfly. Never got it back. (The A2s are now in my iMac analogue out. It isn't terrible.) http://www.audiostream.com/content/audioquest-dragonfly-v12-usb-digital-audio-converter Link to comment
crisnee Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 It sounds to me like you want to spend very little and the Dragonfly will probably be too much for you. So the Xonar will probably be fine. Another route you could go is ebay and look for one of the off brand usb dacs. They're very cheap. I had one for awhile, for guess what, the Audioengine speakers, and it sounded quite good with them. Chris Link to comment
t21231 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 ooowww.. This sounds exactly like what I want.. I see the new "1.2" model is $150. Is this the best price going for a 1.2? Will a USB Dac slow down my boot time at all? Is this the best sounding option for up to $150? Thanks Link to comment
crisnee Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 You probably will not be able to get a better sounding option for that price. And no it will not slow down your boot time, at least not noticeably. Chris Link to comment
davidbeinct Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Audio Advisor is great to work with. They have the Dragonfly 1.0 for $99: AudioQuest - Dragonfly v1.0 - USB Digital - Audio Converter-Audio Advisor Link to comment
Bunny Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I bought some Audio Engine 2 speakers but they sound terrible withmy ASUS onboard audio. These Audio Engines sounded so good at Magnolia HiFi where I bought them. So I need a Sound Card. It has to be half-height to fit in my PC. How much do I need to spend to get the best sound out of these $200 Audio Engine 2 Speakers? I was thinking of this card: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card URL: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Newegg.com I can get it from NewEgg for about $20 after a $10 rebate. Is this a bad choice? Should I be buying a different card? Thank you Asus Xonar DX7.1 is good. It has AV100 chipset and has edgy sound. You will feel great contrast. And upgrade your power cable for your Audioengine A2 speakers. I would search around... many manufacturers and read about their sonic characteristics. Research and research and research. You don't have to upgrade the speaker wire that runs from powered to the non-powered speaker. bunny Windows PC + Creative EMU0404 USB DAC w/ stock USB cable Focal CMS 65 speakers Very hyper-end Power cables for all components Link to comment
crisnee Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 And upgrade your power cable for your Audioengine A2 speakers. I would search around... many manufacturers and read about their sonic characteristics. Research and research and research. bunny You're kidding, right? Chris Link to comment
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