HELP - What sound hardware is best in my PC?

[horhay]

I hope someone on here could help be but don't worry if not! If not, If someone knows somewhere else that could provide better help, I'd be happy to hear!

 

I am having an issue with the sound on my PC using an on-board Realtek sound.

 

I am currently using the jack ports on my ASUS P8Z77-V LX Motherboard to listen to music via Logitech surround speakers (back port) and my Audio-Technica ATH-M50 via front port with a FiiO mini amp (I assume that the front ports are connected to the motherboard?). My PC seems to be running Realtek sound drivers or on board sound card in the Motherboard ? But I am not sure. The sound that comes from this board just doesn't seem good, I mean it sounds fine etc but when you crank up the volume, it just can't seem to cope and sounds like certain sound levels are overpowering the others. I have tried to change all the settings, EQ presets in iTunes and also the Realtek manager but it doesn't improve it, if anything, it makes it sound even more distorted. I also seem to get feedback from the motherboard when I am moving my mouse and when the PC is just whirling away but I understand that this is a limitation of having an on-board sound card. I have compared, using my AT ATH-M50's, the sound from my PC to the sound coming from my iPhone or iPad and the sound is so much better on the Apple devices, even when you crank up the volume.

 

I have looked at purchasing a separate sound card such as the Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 Sound Card etc but will this really make any difference or would it be best to just change settings for my on-board sound card?

[Ned Kelly]

budget ?

 

Sound Cards and Digital-to-Analog Converters - Essence III - ASUS

 

Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

 

up to you.

[spdif-usb]

ASUS Essence STX II 7.1 Sound Card Review - Introduction

 

ASUS Xonar Phoebus soundcard review - Introduction

[jabbr]

Its easiest to use an external USB DAC ... there is a wide price range but almost any will be an improvement on the built in. I'd look for an async USB interface and/or the ability to do 24/192 but theres a huge number of excellent options.