Soundcard for headphone listening - HiFi Headphones Forum - online headphone & earphone community forums

henders · 11-24-2008, 11:46 PM

I'm looking for a soundcard (or DAC) for headphone listening. I'm tired of putting up with the poor quality headphone output on my laptop. The soundcard needs to be portable so I can listen while on the move. I've been looking at some of the headphone amps available in the USA, but really don't know what to go for. I've got a budget of about £200.

Any ideas, experience or recommendations?

ShaunG · 01-07-2009, 11:25 AM

If you are going to be listening with just headphones then a combined DAC and headphone amp is a good solution.

In the next couple of weeks we will be getting inital stock of iBasso D2 headphone amp & DAC and the rest of the iBasso range.

The iBasso D3 model in addition has a line out socket, enabling you to pass the signal onto an amplifier for speakers.

By all accounts the iBasso headphone amps sound very nice and we will be posting some opinions on the HiFi Headphones blog and here on the forum as soon as we get chance to have a proper listen.

We'll also be give the press in the UK (What HiFi, Stuff, CNET.co.uk and TrustedReviews among others) the opportunity to review the iBasso range, so you will be hearing more about iBasso in the coming months.

oddball74 · 01-16-2009, 05:38 PM

Hi, i was looking at getting the new Asus Essence sound card as im running an old audigy at the mo, i heard some good things about it on headfi.

My question is, i have Beyerdynamics DT770 pro (80 ohm) headphones and i do play games on the pc but nothing major, and i like the look of the Ibasso D2 boa usb/dac,could aslo hook to my ipod, so is that the better option for mainly music/movies mild gaming on a pc?

THX.

ShaunG · 01-28-2009, 06:55 PM

Yes, the iBasso would be a good solution for a music, movies or gaming with headphones on a PC.

An external headphone amp/DAC like the iBasso D2 is effectively a high quality USB soundcard, with the added benefit that you can use it to amp your iPod or MP3 player.

elenalee · 12-02-2011, 12:56 PM

Nice information about Sound cards
==============
Cheap Ipod Touch

TheNameIsJambo · 12-06-2011, 12:02 PM

I use the ASUS Xonar DX and it's incredible. The sound is powerful and clean.

You can tweak the EQ on the card itself to get the right sound. I love it.

I need the soundcard for gaming, more than anything though. The surround sound effects in games using the "GX" mode are amazing and are a prerequisite when it comes to FPS games.

11-24-2008, 11:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
henders Headphone Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Soundcard for headphone listening I'm looking for a soundcard (or DAC) for headphone listening. I'm tired of putting up with the poor quality headphone output on my laptop. The soundcard needs to be portable so I can listen while on the move. I've been looking at some of the headphone amps available in the USA, but really don't know what to go for. I've got a budget of about £200. Any ideas, experience or recommendations?

01-07-2009, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 406 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Headphone DAC from iBasso If you are going to be listening with just headphones then a combined DAC and headphone amp is a good solution. In the next couple of weeks we will be getting inital stock of iBasso D2 headphone amp & DAC and the rest of the iBasso range. The iBasso D3 model in addition has a line out socket, enabling you to pass the signal onto an amplifier for speakers. By all accounts the iBasso headphone amps sound very nice and we will be posting some opinions on the HiFi Headphones blog and here on the forum as soon as we get chance to have a proper listen. We'll also be give the press in the UK (What HiFi, Stuff, CNET.co.uk and TrustedReviews among others) the opportunity to review the iBasso range, so you will be hearing more about iBasso in the coming months. __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook Last edited by ShaunG; 03-19-2009 at 09:11 PM. Reason: corrected link to D2

01-28-2009, 06:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
ShaunG Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 406 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Soundcard for headphones Yes, the iBasso would be a good solution for a music, movies or gaming with headphones on a PC. An external headphone amp/DAC like the iBasso D2 is effectively a high quality USB soundcard, with the added benefit that you can use it to amp your iPod or MP3 player. __________________ Shaun @ HiFi Headphones HiFi Headphones - the UK Headphone & Earphone Store That's Serious About Headphones Ultimate Ears, Grado, Phonak Audéo, Klipsch, Shure, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and many other high quality brands - visit our store. Join us on FaceBook

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What is your audio source for headphone listening?	ShaunG	Audio Sources	9	01-28-2012 11:22 AM

01-16-2009, 05:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
oddball74 Headphone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, i was looking at getting the new Asus Essence sound card as im running an old audigy at the mo, i heard some good things about it on headfi. My question is, i have Beyerdynamics DT770 pro (80 ohm) headphones and i do play games on the pc but nothing major, and i like the look of the Ibasso D2 boa usb/dac,could aslo hook to my ipod, so is that the better option for mainly music/movies mild gaming on a pc? THX.

12-02-2011, 12:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
elenalee Headphone Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nice information about Sound cards ============== Cheap Ipod Touch

12-06-2011, 12:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheNameIsJambo Headphone Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy Posts: 20 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I use the ASUS Xonar DX and it's incredible. The sound is powerful and clean. You can tweak the EQ on the card itself to get the right sound. I love it. I need the soundcard for gaming, more than anything though. The surround sound effects in games using the "GX" mode are amazing and are a prerequisite when it comes to FPS games.