Asus Xonar DG 5.1 vs Realtek ALC 887 7.1 - Which is better?

[Gollum]

Specs:
ASUS Xonar DG
5.1
Output:
Bit Rate: 24-Bit,
Sample rate: 96KHz,
SNR: 105dB
Input: 16-Bit, 48KHz, 103dB

vs

ALC887
7.1
Output:
Bit Rate: 24-Bit,
Sample Rate: 192KHz,
SNR: 97dB
Input: 24-Bit, 192KHz, 90dB
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So as specs go, Apart from signal to Noise ratio everything else seems bad about the Xonar. What do You say?
I am planning to upgrade my PC audio (by not spending much) but I need to make sure that its an upgrade and not a downgrade.

 

[Nerevarine]

Me too on this confusion, Im also looking foreward to buy this soundcard...
Also imma use this with a sennheisser hd 202 ii and an ES 18.. No external speakers, just these two headphones.. how much of a difference will there be ?

 

[whitestar_999]

technically even a budget audio card like xonar DG is better than any mid budget & many top budget mobo onboard audio.sound wise better the audio equipment more noticeable should be the difference,though i am not sure how much improvement will be noticeable on ES18.
Onboard Realtek Audio VS Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 sound? - Overclockers UK Forums

 

[rajnusker]

Asus is the way to go for. It is BETTER.

 

[The Sorcerer]

There's also Creative Soundblaster Audigy RX soundcard, but take a look at external sound cards.

 

[nikhilsharma007nikx]

There's also Creative Soundblaster Audigy RX soundcard, but take a look at external sound cards.

Useless for home audio and expensive crap ! better buy a mid range sound card with some better speakers rather get an amp. and plug in studio monitors if you want that DJ !

 

[The Sorcerer]

Useless for home audio and expensive crap!

I really don't think the OP is planning to pair an onboard sound or an entry-level/mid-end sound card with home audio and expensive crap. The second guy wants one to pair it with HD 202 and/or an ES18.

 

[Gollum]

I really don't think the OP is planning to pair an onboard sound or an entry-level/mid-end sound card with home audio and expensive crap. The second guy wants one to pair it with HD 202 and/or an ES18.

well plan is to get better audio from 5.1 movies for now.
I am investing in a proper receiver and then its all audio over HDMI

But till then I did want to experiment as to what would be the difference. I've seen many people praise Xonar DG mostly because of it headphone amplifier option.
I only found out that these cards cost around 2k.

 

[The Sorcerer]

^^ well, many people say that Xonar DG feels awfully close to DX minus the floppy power connector for extra power. Xonar DX is a pretty good sound card so....

 

[nomad47]

[MENTION=85950]Gollum[/MENTION] please explain what you said about the receiver and all. I have no idea regarding this. Any links that can help me out?

 

[Gollum]

[MENTION=85950]Gollum[/MENTION] please explain what you said about the receiver and all. I have no idea regarding this. Any links that can help me out?

I was talking about an AV receiver - it does all the sound processing and amplification for you - quite expensive