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autoteleology
447
Jun 25, 2014
I consider myself a very knowledgeable audiophile. Do not buy the A40, it is a waste of money. Find alternatives here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-update-4-17-2014-akg-k612-and-k712-pro-added-edits
If you game on PC, you actually have a far superior alternative to the MixAmp - the Xonar U3:
- FAR more customizable head-related transfer function alteration (read: Dolby Headphone + many benefits)
- System-wide multi-band equalization
- Smaller, generates much less wire clutter
- You can use your own amp and DAC with it, if you have an optical DAC
- Less and a third of the price (~$40)
- Good amp/DAC for the price, even without the extensive Dolby features
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Xonar-Sound-Cards-XONAR_U3/dp/B0054L8GVK
My current audio chain is: Xonar U3 -> Fiio D07 -> STAX SRM-T1 -> STAX Lambda (Normal Bias). It's god-tier. Here's what I can do with this setup:
Haypil
28
Jun 26, 2014
autoteleology
That would be neat if you played a game that actually required skill.
Do not waste money on sound cards.
autoteleology
447
Jun 26, 2014
HaypilYour post is unqualified, overly opinionated and rude. Why should anyone listen to you?
P.S. I don't think you actually know what you're talking about
Haypil
28
Jun 27, 2014
autoteleologyHow was I being rude? I meant that your setup won't matter on call of duty as that game requires no skill, try it on CS 1.6. Did you even watch the video? My post is unqualified because I gave a link to a video that proves that sound cards offer nothing to sound quality, 420/69 best logic ever.
autoteleology
447
Jun 27, 2014
HaypilXonar U3 isn't even a soundcard, it's a DSP. Also, you're wrong about DACs (there is a huge difference between a $10 DAC and a $100 DAC) and I guarantee I know vastly more about the subject than you. I also couldn't care less about your ignorant opinion on Call of Duty.
You sound like an idiot, go rub Gabe Newell's nipples or something.
Haypil
28
Jun 28, 2014
autoteleologyIt's hilarious how mad people can get when someone says call of duty is not a good game, yet I am the one that sounds like an idiot. You seriously just have to hold left click down and you win. I agree that headsets are complete shit and a waste of money but the extra shit won't help you in games. I would gladly rub GabeN's glorious nipples.
autoteleology
447
Jun 28, 2014
HaypilNo, I'm mad because you're repeatedly forcing your irrelevant and stupid opinion on me when nobody asked you for it. Frankly, your opinions on the games I enjoy playing are less than worthless to me, so you can keep them to yourself. Massdrop is not the place for you to arrogantly proclaim yourself Arbiter of Gaming Potential, there are a hundred other forums out there where you can bash people for no reason.
sidewu
145
Jun 29, 2014
autoteleologyI have an Audioengine D1 and I can attest there's very little difference with or without a DAC. If only I knew...
grumpy1471
88
Jun 29, 2014
autoteleologyI use a SB Omni for PC gaming and a Mixamp 2013 for console. I definitely agree with you in the fact that sound cards are ESSENTIAL for gaming. Without them, you wouldn't have the DSP function and the virtual surround. Haypil has no clue what he's talking about... That TekSyndicate video that he linked is quite commonly hated throughout the Head-Fi gaming community. I can see why a DAC would be a better alternative for music only, but sound cards are still king for gaming. CoD is also a prime example of sound whoring because it's a game in which a good audio setup can help you dominate.
For anyone thinking of buying the A40 system, DON'T. Just get the Mixamp if you're gaming on console and get a nice pair of headphones from Mad Lust Envy's gaming thread (maybe an amp if needed) and you'll be set.
My gaming setup is: SB Omni (PC) or Mixamp 2013 (console) -> Schiit Vali -> AKG K712 PRO
Not a top of the line audiophile setup but a pretty great start for me. I have the option to get an optical DAC in the future and upgrade the amp but I'm currently quite pleased with it already. A $100 DAC wouldn't do much at all to improve upon the Omni's sound quality anyways.