[SOLVED] - Should I Get A DAC&/Amp Or Just Amp?

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Log in Register What's new

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar Menu Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Home
• Featured
• Forums New posts Search forums
• What's new Featured content New posts Latest activity

• AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D review: The world's fastest gaming processor, again!

[SOLVED]Should I get a DAC&/Amp or just Amp?

• Thread starter Thread starter rantan420
• Start date Start date Jan 5, 2021
• Tags Tags audio dac and amp gaming

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar

• Home
• Forums
• Electronics
• Home Audio & Theater

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. R

rantan420

May 16, 2020 7 0 10 I'm currently using Sound Blaster x-fi MB3 on my Gigabyte Z-97MX Gaming-5 motherboard. Noticed that the sound has become very soft, even at max volume. As I mostly play FPS like Tarkov where hearing properly is essential, I'm looking at alternatives to the MB3. My question is, should I get the DAC&/Amp combo or will just the amp be enough to get my volume back? This would be used with my Sennheiser GSP 302 headset. Solution Unless you have a setting, driver, or software issue there is no reason your onboard shouldn't be able to run the GSP 302's at volume. As far as DAC/AMP's that depends on your primary uses. GSX 1000 $180ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Hella nice touch controls +5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround -Lacks power, anything more than 60hz and you find yourself using close to 80% if not more. -Software is unstable on some systems 😕 but has plenty of options and control provided it doesn't crash constantly. Soundblaster G6 $130ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Can run any headphone or IEM " Low gain and High gain amp output" + 5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround +Scout mode is awesome in FPS... Sort by date Sort by votes

Ralston18

Titan

Moderator Oct 11, 2014 40,986 4,996 146,290 Have you been able to check the audio configuration settings? Right click the small speaker icon usually located in the lower right screen corner. You should be presented with a menu of audio related settings that you can open and explore. Do not immediately change anything. Just look and make notes about anything that is unexpected or you know to be incorrect or otherwise not as it should be. Then change or correct as applicable but change only one thing at a time. Again keep notes in case you need to go back and undo some change. If unsuccessful, then manually download the applicable audio drivers via the manufacturer's website. Reinstall and reconfigure. Upvote 0 Downvote R

rantan420

May 16, 2020 7 0 10 Thnx for ur reply. I've tried all that, including updating drivers (the headphones are using Realtek HD Audio) alternate headphones, restart and a system restore but the problem still remains. The volume is not even half of what it used to be at 100%. I never needed to use higher than 25 until now, with game volume set to 100 I would turn it down in game because it was too loud at certain points, but now everything is set to 95+ with impairment issues from sounds not coming through due to low volume. I was looking at a CL ad for $200 GSX 1000 but I've read mixed reviews abt the product. $100 FIIO e10k seems like my best option right now? Upvote 0 Downvote

delaro

Judicious

Aug 23, 2011 4,427 248 33,740 Unless you have a setting, driver, or software issue there is no reason your onboard shouldn't be able to run the GSP 302's at volume. As far as DAC/AMP's that depends on your primary uses. GSX 1000 $180ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Hella nice touch controls +5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround -Lacks power, anything more than 60hz and you find yourself using close to 80% if not more. -Software is unstable on some systems 😕 but has plenty of options and control provided it doesn't crash constantly. Soundblaster G6 $130ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Can run any headphone or IEM " Low gain and High gain amp output" + 5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround +Scout mode is awesome in FPS games +Software is stable with tons of options and control + Music under direct mode sounds a bit better over the GSX line -Sidetone and mixer settings that are not as easy to use as the GSX1000 -Toggling 5.1 and 7.1 isn't as easy to do as it is on the GSX 1000 -Surround Sound is okay but not fantastic Fulla 3 $99 +Neutral sound that is better than the above units +Headphone and Mic Input +Can run most headphones -Lacks any software -Lacks any perks for gaming " Software bundle, Scout mode, Surround sound" FIIO e10k $75ish + Clearly a winner for music over the G6 and GSX - Lacks any perks for gaming " Software bundle, Scout mode, Surround sound" -Lacks a Mic input Clearly different products for different uses. Upvote 0 Downvote Solution R

rantan420

May 16, 2020 7 0 10

delaro said: Unless you have a setting, driver, or software issue there is no reason your onboard shouldn't be able to run the GSP 302's at volume. As far as DAC/AMP's that depends on your primary uses. GSX 1000 $180ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Hella nice touch controls +5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround -Lacks power, anything more than 60hz and you find yourself using close to 80% if not more. -Software is unstable on some systems 😕 but has plenty of options and control provided it doesn't crash constantly. Soundblaster G6 $130ish +Headphone and Mic Input with sidetone and mixer settings +Can run any headphone or IEM " Low gain and High gain amp output" + 5.1 and 7.1 virtual surround +Scout mode is awesome in FPS games +Software is stable with tons of options and control + Music under direct mode sounds a bit better over the GSX line -Sidetone and mixer settings that are not as easy to use as the GSX1000 -Toggling 5.1 and 7.1 isn't as easy to do as it is on the GSX 1000 -Surround Sound is okay but not fantastic Fulla 3 $99 +Neutral sound that is better than the above units +Headphone and Mic Input +Can run most headphones -Lacks any software -Lacks any perks for gaming " Software bundle, Scout mode, Surround sound" FIIO e10k $75ish + Clearly a winner for music over the G6 and GSX - Lacks any perks for gaming " Software bundle, Scout mode, Surround sound" -Lacks a Mic input Clearly different products for different uses. Click to expand...

I think my onboard is just starting to wear down, or I'm missing something painfully obvious. The volume used to revert back to normal for a couple days before going back to being quiet. Now its been 2+ weeks and the volume remains lower than I'd like it to be at 95% with loudness eq turned on. I built the PC in 2014 and have replaced several parts already, so this isn't too surprising, but it will be a year or so before I can build my next PC. I'm ok without the gaming perks, as the only FPS I play sounds better in stereo without those features. Just want to confirm if the options lacking a mic input, like the E10K, can be solved by plugging the adapter that came with the GSP302 to combine the headphone/mic jacks into one. And thank you very much for the detailed comparison of DAC&AMP. Upvote 0 Downvote

delaro

Judicious

Aug 23, 2011 4,427 248 33,740

rantan420 said: I think my onboard is just starting to wear down, or I'm missing something painfully obvious. The volume used to revert back to normal for a couple days before going back to being quiet. Now its been 2+ weeks and the volume remains lower than I'd like it to be at 95% with loudness eq turned on. I built the PC in 2014 and have replaced several parts already, so this isn't too surprising, but it will be a year or so before I can build my next PC. I'm ok without the gaming perks, as the only FPS I play sounds better in stereo without those features. Just want to confirm if the options lacking a mic input, like the E10K, can be solved by plugging the adapter that came with the GSP302 to combine the headphone/mic jacks into one. And thank you very much for the detailed comparison of DAC&AMP. Click to expand...

Do you have that same issue with the Front and Back inputs 🤔 The rear input normally has nearly double the power as the front since it is technically designated as a speaker output. Upvote 0 Downvote R

rantan420

May 16, 2020 7 0 10

delaro said: Do you have that same issue with the Front and Back inputs 🤔 The rear input normally has nearly double the power as the front since it is technically designated as a speaker output. Click to expand...

I've been using the rear input this whole time, found out early on that the front produces too much static Upvote 0 Downvote You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

TRENDING THREADS

• Tom's Hardware Member System Gallery
  • Started by tecmo34
  • Apr 30, 2011
  • Replies: 5K
  Systems
• QuestionWill new HDMI monitor work with old motherboard?
  • Started by Swapnilg
  • Today at 10:28 AM
  • Replies: 4
  Displays
• DiscussionWhat's your favourite video game you've been playing?
  • Started by amdfangirl
  • Aug 3, 2014
  • Replies: 4K
  PC Gaming
• S QuestionCreate GPT Partition.
  • Started by setha
  • Today at 9:29 AM
  • Replies: 2
  Storage
• NewsMicrosoft purges Windows 11 printer drivers, putting millions of devices on borrowed time — legacy printers face extinction as Microsoft stops dist...
  • Started by Admin
  • Saturday at 12:25 PM
  • Replies: 53
  News Comments
• NewsDutch authorities allegedly seize VPN server without a warrant — company claims that law enforcement will return it after analyzing the device fully
  • Started by Admin
  • Saturday at 7:15 AM
  • Replies: 33
  News Comments
• NewsOur testing shows the Ryzen 7 9800X3D can match the pricier Ryzen 7 9850X3D with simple PBO settings — AMD's latest CPU can't leverage extra clock...
  • Started by Admin
  • Today at 8:30 AM
  • Replies: 5
  News Comments

Latest posts

• QuestionWill new HDMI monitor work with old motherboard?
  • Latest: Swapnilg
  • 15 minutes ago
  Displays
• A QuestionPC is crashing daily ?
  • Latest: artk2219
  • 17 minutes ago
  Systems
• QuestionUSB Ports suddenly not giving enough power?
  • Latest: jayrawk
  • 17 minutes ago
  Computer Peripherals
• QuestionHas anyone ever used Revo Registry Cleaner Pro for Android ?
  • Latest: MJS WARLORD
  • 22 minutes ago
  Apps and Software
• DiscussionWhat's your favourite video game you've been playing?
  • Latest: -Fran-
  • 23 minutes ago
  PC Gaming
• QuestionHow do I ensure X3D+EXPO+PBO is done safely and correctly?
  • Latest: Roland Of Gilead
  • Today at 10:28 AM
  Overclocking
• QuestionCreate GPT Partition.
  • Latest: SkyNetRising
  • Today at 10:20 AM
  Storage

Moderators online

• 
• 
• 
• 

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link COMPANY Space.com is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. RESOURCES

• Advertising
• Cookies Policies
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions
• Topics

FOLLOW Facebook Twitter Instagram Top Bottom