Triple Question: Worth it for headphone user? Is card's mic detachable/able to be deactivated? Will it process mic audio from MoBo usb?
77691
First question: It really depends on how much of an audiophile you are. Its definitely an upgrade over typical mobo sound, although some integrated sound processors can be quite good, depending on how much you are willing to pay. Second question: Yes, the MIC is detachable and can be deactivated. Mine is still in the box. Third question: It will use whatever you have activated in your operating system. Once you install the drivers, the SBZ should be set to default, but it never hurts to double check. My mobo's BIOS also allowed me to turn off the integrated sound, which means its not even an option for the OS to detect. First question: It really depends on how much of an audiophile you are. Its definitely an upgrade over typical mobo sound, although some integrated sound processors can be quite good, depending on how much you are willing to pay. Second question: Yes, the MIC is detachable and can be deactivated. Mine is still in the box. Third question: It will use whatever you have activated in your operating system. Once you install the drivers, the SBZ should be set to default, but it never hurts to double check. My mobo's BIOS also allowed me to turn off the integrated sound, which means its not even... » Read More First question: It really depends on how much of an audiophile you are. Its definitely an upgrade over typical mobo sound, although some integrated sound processors can be quite good, depending on how much you are willing to pay. Second question: Yes, the MIC is detachable and can be deactivated. Mine is still in the box. Third question: It will use whatever you have activated in your operating system. Once you install the drivers, the SBZ should be set to default, but it never hurts to double check. My mobo's BIOS also allowed me to turn off the integrated sound, which means its not even an option for the OS to detect. « Show Less
77692
1. It has a built-in amp for the headphone jack, so I would recommend it.2. The mic is just a regular 3.5mm plug mic. Can replace it with your own mic.3. Not sure I understand... It will not take the USB mic as input, but the card can definitely output sound from a USB mic. You can still use the USB mic, just that it won't be going through this card.
77693
I regularly use the software to switch from 6 channel output to headphones when I decide to play a game at night when everyone else in the house is asleep. Works just fine and will drive full over the ear headsets with no trouble. Mic is a separate piece.
77694
First question: It really depends on how much of an audiophile you are. Its definitely an upgrade over typical mobo sound, although some integrated sound processors can be quite good, depending on how much you are willing to pay. Second question: Yes, the MIC is detachable and can be deactivated. Mine is still in the box. Third question: It will use whatever you have activated in your operating system. Once you install the drivers, the SBZ should be set to default, but it never hurts to double check. My mobo's BIOS also allowed me to turn off the integrated sound, which means its not even an option for the OS to detect.
164383
you will have to plugin the microphone to your onboard. This DAC is for audio output only. If you are looking for a sound card for games i would look into an internal sound card: Asus Essence or HT Omega's prodcuts
523576
I have not attempted to use headphones with this card i only use the coax output to my pre amp processor
2154614
Yes I use it for my desktop and it works really well. The mic is crystal clear. Definitely worth the price. Has two jacks btw, 1 for headphone and 1 for mic
1587142
i use an extigy external sound card to hook my optical-digital to hit plug in the 3 3.5mm jacks and it works fine on my ps3 i can also use the mic using a usb 7.1 external soundcard has it like 55cents- 2$ on amazon 10$ at most electronic store my ps3 reads it fine pops up c-media usb headphone set for input device and output device is set to system default device so ican hear thru my headphoone works quite well im using the HPA2 but i just ordered this today in all only cost me bout 130$ if you find a good price on soundcards
564434
No I don't have on, just a basic on board. Headset doesn't really need a special sound card it does wonders all on its own :)
270398
Yes. You should do so - and uninstall all drivers for the onboard audio - before installing the card. I guess technically you shouldn't have to, but everything I've read about the card suggests it won't work right if you don't.
1714083
this sound card is very very very good but i don t know exactlly it can work with your headphones or not but i think it work with it becouse this card is new and it has more option
1372178
Really depends on the sound device your computer has and what you hope to get out of an attached device. A decent sound card will give you as a good a DAC as the one in this device, so you could most likely "get away with" a less expensive headphone-amplifier only - there's really no reason to pay for the DAC component if you don't need it.
2136507
These cards have better quality components and an integrated headphone amp. You might, but it will come down to a question of what you have for headphones or speakers as to how much of an improvement you get
2217273
My experience with this card has been fairly negative. The nature of the problem is that 2 completely different sets of drivers are available: the Diamond drivers and chip set drivers. I tried them both and after an uptime of typically 72-96 hours or so, I would start hearing static and audio dropouts. Ultimately, I had to pull the sound card, only to find that my onboard sound was corrupted as well. An email to Asus tech support resulted in new onboard sound drivers and the end of my audio woes. Bottom line: my advice - I would not trust this card - test, test, test. Any problems AT ALL, dump the Diamond while it's still under warranty and find another brand. I have had very good luck with Asus. My experience with this card has been fairly negative. The nature of the problem is that 2 completely different sets of drivers are available: the Diamond drivers and chip set drivers. I tried them both and after an uptime of typically 72-96 hours or so, I would start hearing static and audio dropouts. Ultimately, I had to pull the sound card, only to find that my onboard sound was corrupted as well. An email to Asus tech support resulted in new onboard sound drivers and the end of my audio woes. Bottom line: my advice - I would not trust this card - test, test, test. Any problems AT ALL,... » Read More My experience with this card has been fairly negative. The nature of the problem is that 2 completely different sets of drivers are available: the Diamond drivers and chip set drivers. I tried them both and after an uptime of typically 72-96 hours or so, I would start hearing static and audio dropouts. Ultimately, I had to pull the sound card, only to find that my onboard sound was corrupted as well. An email to Asus tech support resulted in new onboard sound drivers and the end of my audio woes. Bottom line: my advice - I would not trust this card - test, test, test. Any problems AT ALL, dump the Diamond while it's still under warranty and find another brand. I have had very good luck with Asus. « Show Less
2247333
Never cared for on-board laptop sound cards. With this it is just a standard USB cable. This device just sends the pure direct audio with no compression. Thus process-free audio to feed your mixer or audio chain via a balanced XLR connection. The benefits of course are no hum or line buzz etc.
1663141
I use Senn PC360 and have noticed a difference when gaming and recording with Audacity, escpecially in the analog mic input. Using lossless audio is where this card will really shine, so make sure your music library is encoded with ALAC or FLAC, and maybe try HD Tracks for some higher-than-CD quality music!
1282955
yes. Do you know what a soundcard does? This is an external soundcard that connects via USB. Your question makes me wonder if you know enough about what you're thinking about buying. good luck.
744870
I mostly use this card for headphones, however I would guess no to your question. Maybe if you plug the front panel audio into this card and plug your other speakers in up there would you maybe be able to do that. maybe ask on like head-fi.org as they will probably know much more than me. I also, do not own this sound card anymore, as my new motherboard did not have a pci connector :/ Some people might not agree, but after purchasing my new xonar essence stx, I would say this card is hardly any different sounding.
1405158
It appears as a separate sound card, and it can definitely be better than onboard sound. The headphone amp is quite nice with a Sony MDR-V6 with replacement soft pads.
1271802
This sound card connects to laptop with USB. You can also use your headphones. I never tried microphone. But It should be compatible.