Output quality

rymdprojekt · Sep 30, 2007, 07:02 AM

Hi there!!

I was thinking about buying a new soundcard to achieve better output quality but maybe i dont have to?

How is the output quality of the Audigy 2 compared to for example the M-Audio Audiophile 192 which i was thinking of buying? Anybody made any comparison or know a page that has?

The Audiophile is supposed to have great DAC for the output but im not sure about the Audigy 2?

thanks for any advice!!

TravelRec. · Sep 30, 2007, 11:27 AM

You can increase the output quality of your Audigy2 by using external high
quality DACs via SPDIF. So you have to solder some small things together

. If this is nothing for you, then buy the newer card.

rymdprojekt · Sep 30, 2007, 12:08 PM

so the output DAC on the audigy 2 isnt that great then?

i dont mind soldering....just need to know what stuff to solder

TravelRec. · Sep 30, 2007, 01:32 PM

The output DACs on Audigy2 are okay, but they have a problem of all internal (on the card) converters: they pick up noise from the environment, so you will get a fine audio signal with a not that fine noisefloor. Dependent on the Mainboard you use you can hear cursor movements, USB-traffic or harddisk activity and something more. This can be eliminated with external converters that get their signals over optical or coaxial SPDIF cables. Since most of the Audigy2 have 4 independent SPDIF outputs, it´s easy to get all output signals over this way. On the external Box you will need one SPDIF to I2S converter and one I2S to 24-Bit stereo DAC per SPDIF rail (so up to 4 modules). You will find all that on the Cirrus Website, for example. I have some experience with their parts and I like them.

Sep 30, 2007, 07:02 AM	#1
rymdprojekt DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	Output quality Hi there!! I was thinking about buying a new soundcard to achieve better output quality but maybe i dont have to? How is the output quality of the Audigy 2 compared to for example the M-Audio Audiophile 192 which i was thinking of buying? Anybody made any comparison or know a page that has? The Audiophile is supposed to have great DAC for the output but im not sure about the Audigy 2? thanks for any advice!!

Sep 30, 2007, 11:27 AM	#2
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	You can increase the output quality of your Audigy2 by using external high quality DACs via SPDIF. So you have to solder some small things together . If this is nothing for you, then buy the newer card. __________________ Always take a look behind.

Sep 30, 2007, 01:32 PM	#4
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	The output DACs on Audigy2 are okay, but they have a problem of all internal (on the card) converters: they pick up noise from the environment, so you will get a fine audio signal with a not that fine noisefloor. Dependent on the Mainboard you use you can hear cursor movements, USB-traffic or harddisk activity and something more. This can be eliminated with external converters that get their signals over optical or coaxial SPDIF cables. Since most of the Audigy2 have 4 independent SPDIF outputs, it´s easy to get all output signals over this way. On the external Box you will need one SPDIF to I2S converter and one I2S to 24-Bit stereo DAC per SPDIF rail (so up to 4 modules). You will find all that on the Cirrus Website, for example. I have some experience with their parts and I like them. __________________ Always take a look behind.

Sep 30, 2007, 12:08 PM	Thread Starter #3
rymdprojekt DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	so the output DAC on the audigy 2 isnt that great then? i dont mind soldering....just need to know what stuff to solder