So a few people awhile ago recommended me my current setup which is a Asus Xonor Phobeus and a sennheiser 380 HD headphones. I wanted to get better headphones eventually but now I'm left wondering if I should sell my soundcard and upgrade to a DAC, I'm really kinda lost.
I really like the way everything sounds right now. So is it worth upgrading my sound card if I really like the way it is?
I really got a lot out of the video, but I do agree that sometimes the more info I get these days, the more I can get confused and second-guess myself. One of the "take-aways" from the video, for myself, was to invest in a good set of cans. I got a pair of ATH M50s about a year ago. I wanted to move up from what I discovered were sub-standard Bose headphones (although, when I bought them for $100 at a big box store, I thought they were awesome). I did a bunch of research on "audiophile" (can I use that word after the video?) and headphone sites and the reviews were very good. I can honestly say that I've never regretted spending the cash on the M50s. (They're mega-cheap right now, about $88, btw.) I'm sure there are other great cans out there, but those work great for me for music and gaming.
I was really intrigued by the Mayflower cans they mentioned in the video, a bit more pricey, but I like what I'm reading about the company. So, for my money, first a good set of cans, then the DAC/amp will come next. Although, I gotta say, I've got a really new computer/motherboard, and I think the audio is fantastic with my good headphones.
Love the comments in the forums here. Just a shout out to Logan and the Tek crowd that I think this video (and the other video content here) was fantastic. Keep up the good work. Don't listen to the YouTube comments. Ugh. I haven't really commented there because... well... just read the inanity! How frustrating. Ignore the trolls, please.
The biggest thing about audio that everyone seems to forget is that the point of it all is to make you happy. If you are happy with apple earbuds and onboard sound, then there is no reason to upgrade. Enjoy what you like and leave it at that. If you have tons of money to throw around, then go for it, otherwise, don't bother.
It doesn't take a ton of money to get better than whatever earbuds come with your phone, though.
I think the point is to not change from something you like just because someone else is saying you're supposed to like something else, not that anyone should suffer with crap bundled ear buds
I think it's safe to assume that if someone is asking for upgrade advice then they are not happy with their current setup. Most of the problem is when people fall victim to marketing BS which leads to recommendations that are not always in the OP's best interest.
EDIT: which is why I think the OP was recommended to buy a sound card in the first place.
Really, in audio, if you need an upgrade, you KNOW you need an upgrade. If you think your audio sounds fine, then it sounds fine.
Perfectly said.
The only reason I continue to upgrade is I always find things in my setup that I can hear something that bugs me, so I keep on upgrading and changing. If you are happy with what you have, then save yourself the non-stop headache that is audio, and be happy with what you have. Believe me, it is a never ending battle...