Please help me understand AUDIO CODEC CHIPS

[dyrdevil]

Hello,

I would like to purchase a Gryphon Z87 mobo for a new build (my first).

It uses the ALC892 codec chip for its onboard audio. Other boards (VI Gene, MSI Z87M) use the ALC1150 which I understand to be a bit better.

HOWEVER... I'm planning to use the optical audio (or usb) out to an external DAC that I have. What I am wondering is the following:

Does the realtek chip (892 vs 1150) have anything to do with the quality of the signal that is passed through the optical out? I understand the optical out bypasses onboard audio and the difference between digital/analog signals, but what I DO NOT understand is what role the audio codec chips play in the process.

If the chip has no effect whatsoever on the optical out (or if such an effect is made irrelevant by the external DAC) then I will confidently be able to purchase my Gryphon board.

I'd love to hear from you!!!!!
dyrdevil

 

[photonboy]

Good question.
I'll look into it, but I think there IS a difference even for optical.

There are THREE STAGES in the audio:

1) STAGE 1: digital manipulation of audio data

2) STAGE 2: Digital to Analog conversion

3) STAGE 3: Analog amplification

You would likely bypass the 2nd two stages when using an Optical output, but I think the digital manipulation still affects sound quality. Probably not nearly as much as the analog stage though.

*The Asus Maximus Hero VI has a SupremeFX audio solution if interested. It's a great board with awesome onboard audio.

 

[photonboy]

I can't find any links, but I'm positive that there is a difference in quality even with the optical outputs.

STAGE1 uses different processing capabilities. Remember the Creative "X-Fi" sound cards? That referred to Stage 1. However, I also disabled things like "CMSS 3D" and "Crystalizer" that did digital "enhancements" because I didn't like what they did.

However, there are definitely differences in the digital manipulation of audio on all chips that you can NOT disable. I do recommend disabling any "enhancements" though.

I can only confirm a huge ANALOG difference, but I can't find qualitative comparisons. Just that there's a difference.

The quality is thus affected at EACH STAGE, including the speakers. If your speakers aren't great, it probably wouldn't matter what solution you got.

Personally, I recommend the HERO with SupremeFX and just use the analog and don't bother with the DAC.

Sorry if this is confusing, but I just can't find reliable comparisons.

**If you have an OPTICAL OUTPUT on your current motherboard, then why not try comparing it to your DAC? Try classical music, games, and any movie with lots of bass like explosions.

If your DAC and onboard audio sound the same to you, it likely wouldn't matter.

**I see no reason to use a USB output.

 

[photonboy]

Update:
It may not matter to you, but with the SupremeFX onboard you can connect to the front audio output with HEADPHONES and still take advantage of the superior analog solution.

Sorry for the long posts.