Pc Audio upgrade

[cramved]

Hi

I want to upgrade my pc's audio and I am will to spend on it because it will probably out last everything else. My budget is around $250 for headphones, mic and sound card. I have been looking at the sennhiser hd 558 and the creative sound blaster z (comes with a mic). Any thoughts or suggestions would be great thanks.

 

[cramved]

also how big of a difference will I notice going from onboard audio to a sound card?

 

[skit75]

What kind of audio card? There are:

Surround sound gaming output cards
Stereo Headphone output cards
Professional recording input cards
Multi-channel I/O pass-thru cards

 

[sora]

Sennheiser is a good company that is known for making good headsets so I suggest you go with it.

 

[skit75]

I have a pair of the Sennheiser 558 Audiophiles that I paired with my Asus Xonar Essence ST card and absolutely love the combo for listening to my uncompressed music.

 

[cramved]

What kind of audio card? There are:

Surround sound gaming output cards
Stereo Headphone output cards
Professional recording input cards
Multi-channel I/O pass-thru cards

I guess stereo output card

 

[skit75]

Well, the Xonar Essence ST is a bit pricey and likely to consume most of your budget for this upgrade so I don't see how could fairly recommend it. They are $199 @ Newegg right now and you would still need a mic & headset. People buying this card are typically spending the same amount on their headset also.

 

[cramved]

Well, the Xonar Essence ST is a bit pricey and likely to consume most of your budget for this upgrade so I don't see how could fairly recommend it. They are $199 @ Newegg right now and you would still need a mic & headset. People buying this card are typically spending the same amount on their headset also.

what do you think of the sound blaster z?

 

[skit75]

It is probably better suited for what you are expecting. I know very little about the them. It is a 5.1 output card with TOSlink pass-thru. Then there is the drivers.... I have personally owned 3 Creative Labs cards and have had driver issues with every one of them at some point in time.

 

[cramved]

It is probably better suited for what you are expecting. I know very little about the them. It is a 5.1 output card with TOSlink pass-thru. Then there is the drivers.... I have personally owned 3 Creative Labs cards and have had driver issues with every one of them at some point in time.

thanks i think i will get it then
thanks for all the help.