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Why there's still no proper DAC/ADC combos for home users?
I thought my case is quite specific and that's the reason, but after talking to pretty big amount of friends of mine I was quite surprised to realize there are lots of people who would agree with my point.
And the point is while being a gamer and using pretty expensive headset (Beyer's MMX 300 to be precise) I don't give a damn about all of that surround sound scouting modes marketing bullshit. I do however want to get a good quality for stereo playback whether it is a game or music listening or whatever.
So basically I have to use some proper DAC/Amp with my headphones for decent listening experience. Well, you know, proper power delivery filtering, async usb connection, decent DAC, proper amplification section, all that stuff. The problem is, those are not meant to be used with the headsets and therefore don't provide you with a mic input. So in addition to using the DAC/Amp hypothetical me has to use his on-board audio (Realtek-made sigh) or a discrete sound card from ASUS/Creative/whatever.
The question is, with the demand for some proper DACs going on lately why no manufacturer tried to add an ADC with mic preamp to the mix? I know there are Creative discrete audio cards (E5, G5 etc) and I tried G5 myself. Nowhere near my O2+ODAC combo in terms of audio quality, and EMI both for headphones out and for mic in drove me nuts in addition to that. By proper DAC/ADC combo I mean the device that uses all the benefits of a good DAC/amp I mentioned earlier but adds a proper ADC+preamp for mic input. I know some USB controllers (namely Savitech's ones) allow configuring such a device.
I'd like to know your thoughts on this guys.
And the point is while being a gamer and using pretty expensive headset (Beyer's MMX 300 to be precise) I don't give a damn about all of that surround sound scouting modes marketing bullshit. I do however want to get a good quality for stereo playback whether it is a game or music listening or whatever.
So basically I have to use some proper DAC/Amp with my headphones for decent listening experience. Well, you know, proper power delivery filtering, async usb connection, decent DAC, proper amplification section, all that stuff. The problem is, those are not meant to be used with the headsets and therefore don't provide you with a mic input. So in addition to using the DAC/Amp hypothetical me has to use his on-board audio (Realtek-made sigh) or a discrete sound card from ASUS/Creative/whatever.
The question is, with the demand for some proper DACs going on lately why no manufacturer tried to add an ADC with mic preamp to the mix? I know there are Creative discrete audio cards (E5, G5 etc) and I tried G5 myself. Nowhere near my O2+ODAC combo in terms of audio quality, and EMI both for headphones out and for mic in drove me nuts in addition to that. By proper DAC/ADC combo I mean the device that uses all the benefits of a good DAC/amp I mentioned earlier but adds a proper ADC+preamp for mic input. I know some USB controllers (namely Savitech's ones) allow configuring such a device.
I'd like to know your thoughts on this guys.
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Any objections to using a USB audio interface like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or a PreSonus AudioBox? It's massive overkill for gaming, but it's what's used for a lot of the in-game voice-over. Interfaces can get crazy expensive, but for two in two out, something like the Scarlett 2i2 only runs about $150USD.
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Why not just get a simple USB Mic like the Blue Nessie for gaming? It is less than a $100 CAD so like $20 US.
I don't see the point of higher end devices when all I want is to call out " tec-9, rush B" But if you really want to get "serious" about it then it makes sense that a ADC and DAC is sold separately.
edit: Also the Blue Nessie has a DAC inside, oddly enough every OS I use want to default to it.
I don't see the point of higher end devices when all I want is to call out " tec-9, rush B" But if you really want to get "serious" about it then it makes sense that a ADC and DAC is sold separately.
edit: Also the Blue Nessie has a DAC inside, oddly enough every OS I use want to default to it.
I have been wondering the same thing. It would be nice to have at least a mic passthrough for cable management purposes, but integrating a decent quality adc is something that should help many gamers/streamers since onboard mic inputs are so awful. I recently saw Teksyndicate talking about this new dac/amp from Mayflower that seems like it might do the trick once its out. Not sure what the sound quality will be like, but I would guess it would be comparable to their O2+ODAC.
https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/mayflower-custom-products/arc/
