New Posts All Forums:Forum Nav:

Using ASTRO MIXAMP with a sound card, redundant?

Subscribe Search This Thread

« Previous
1
2
Next »

Start a New Thread

post #1 of 13

9/8/11 at 12:27am

Thread Starter

purekhaos
Audiophile

Joined: May 2011
Location: Corona
Posts: 19
Rep: 0 (Unique: 0)
Select All Posts By This User

Quick question, I own an Astro Mixamp, and the A40's. My understanding is the mixamp is more or less an external sound card, made for consoles. I bought it for my ps3, to get the Dolby Digital and simulated surround sound, and It works very well. Now that Im gaming primarily on my PC, Im sill using the mixamp, plugged in via optical for audio, and usb for the mic.
My sound card is the Asus Xonar DG 5.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132020
Since the sound card has Dolby Digital and simulated 5.1 support, am I gaining anything by using the mixamp and optical port on the soundcard, or is it redundant and the quality will be equal/better by using the 3.5mm jacks on the card directly to the headset. Thank you ahead of time.

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i5 2500k	Gigabyte P67A UD4	Asus 660 TI	8gb Corsair Vengence [1600]
Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Hard Drive
Kingston HyperX 3k	Kingston HyperX 3k	Western Digital Caviar Black	Western Digital Caviar Blue
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Western Digital Elements External	Asus pricepoint	Hyper 212+	WIN8
Monitor	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Acer G235H	Acer G235H	Das Ultimate	CM GX 750w
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
CM Haf X	Naos 8200	Razer Scarab	Audio Technica AD-900
Other	Other
BLUE Snowball	Logitech C920
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i5 2500k	Gigabyte P67A UD4	Asus 660 TI	8gb Corsair Vengence [1600]
Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Hard Drive
Kingston HyperX 3k	Kingston HyperX 3k	Western Digital Caviar Black	Western Digital Caviar Blue
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Western Digital Elements External	Asus pricepoint	Hyper 212+	WIN8
Monitor	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Acer G235H	Acer G235H	Das Ultimate	CM GX 750w
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
CM Haf X	Naos 8200	Razer Scarab	Audio Technica AD-900
Other	Other
BLUE Snowball	Logitech C920
View all

hide details

post #2 of 13

9/8/11 at 9:21am

decimator
ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,454
Rep: 264 (Unique: 191)
Trader Rating: 2
Select All Posts By This User

Yes, it is redundant.
Edited by decimator - 9/8/11 at 9:40am

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Phenom II X6 1090T @ 4.0GHz & 3000MHz NB	Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5	2x SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 2GB TOXIC Editions	G.Skill Flare 4GB (2 x 2GB) @ 2000MHz 7-9-7-24-2T
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	Cooling
Crucial M4 256GB	Sony Optiarc DVD-RW 24x	Thermalright Venomous-X	Delta FB1212EH-PWM 150CFM Fan
OS	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit	Asus VH238H	Ducky Shine DK9008S Cherry MX Red	Rosewill Lightning 1000W
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Silverstone TJ09	Razer Diamondback	SteelSeries Qck	Ultrasone HFI-2400
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Phenom II X6 1090T @ 4.0GHz & 3000MHz NB	Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5	2x SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 2GB TOXIC Editions	G.Skill Flare 4GB (2 x 2GB) @ 2000MHz 7-9-7-24-2T
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	Cooling
Crucial M4 256GB	Sony Optiarc DVD-RW 24x	Thermalright Venomous-X	Delta FB1212EH-PWM 150CFM Fan
OS	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit	Asus VH238H	Ducky Shine DK9008S Cherry MX Red	Rosewill Lightning 1000W
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Silverstone TJ09	Razer Diamondback	SteelSeries Qck	Ultrasone HFI-2400
View all

hide details

post #3 of 13

9/8/11 at 9:27am

kayoh
733mhz

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 134
Rep: 2 (Unique: 2)
Select All Posts By This User

It is redundant, however you can use an optical cable as an output from your sound card to your MixAmp, the USB is just for powering the mixamp.

What your mixamp does for your Xbox/PS3 is allows for surround sound in your headphones, but your sound card probably does this already

With my setup I have the optical cable connected to my Xbox and an auxiliary cable running from my desktop to my mix amp, so that I can hear not only the game sounds but sound from my PC as well whether it's music or skype calls, etc.

This setup allows for easy swapping between head phones and speakers.

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
i5-750 3.8 GHz @ 1.312V	GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156	MSI GeForce GTS 250 TwinFrozr OC 1GB	4x2 GBs - G.SKILL Ripjaws @ 9-9-9-24
Hard Drive	OS	Monitor	Power
500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue	Windows 7 - 64 Bit	2x21.5 LCDs	Raidmax Hybrid 2 RX-530SS 530W
Case
Area 51
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
i5-750 3.8 GHz @ 1.312V	GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156	MSI GeForce GTS 250 TwinFrozr OC 1GB	4x2 GBs - G.SKILL Ripjaws @ 9-9-9-24
Hard Drive	OS	Monitor	Power
500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue	Windows 7 - 64 Bit	2x21.5 LCDs	Raidmax Hybrid 2 RX-530SS 530W
Case
Area 51
View all

hide details

post #4 of 13

11/2/12 at 4:34pm

bllarkin
733mhz

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Rep: 15 (Unique: 11)
Select All Posts By This User

It isn't redundant if you run Dolby Digital Live from the sound card. It will then output true 5.1 over the optical connection rather than the Mixamp trying to recreate the 5.1 sound stage. The Xonar DG doesn't do DDL, but if you had a sound card that does, then it would make a difference (though not sure truly how noticable it would be, you would probably notice a difference in FPS games, I know I notice a difference between my PC with built-in audio and my Xbox 360).

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Core i5 2500k	ASRock P67 Extreme4	XFX Radeon HD 6870	4 x 4 GB G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling
Crucial C300	Samsung Spinpoint F3	Lite-On iHas124 DVD-R	CM Hyper 212+
OS	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Windows 7 Home Prem. 64bit	Asus VH238H	Cooler Master Storm Trigger	Corsair TX750V2
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Cooler Master HAF 912	Logitech G500	XTrac Pads Ripper XXL	Astro A30 Wireless
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Core i5 2500k	ASRock P67 Extreme4	XFX Radeon HD 6870	4 x 4 GB G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600
Hard Drive	Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling
Crucial C300	Samsung Spinpoint F3	Lite-On iHas124 DVD-R	CM Hyper 212+
OS	Monitor	Keyboard	Power
Windows 7 Home Prem. 64bit	Asus VH238H	Cooler Master Storm Trigger	Corsair TX750V2
Case	Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Cooler Master HAF 912	Logitech G500	XTrac Pads Ripper XXL	Astro A30 Wireless
View all

hide details

post #5 of 13

11/2/12 at 11:43pm

SocksWthSandals
4.0 GHz

Joined: Jul 2011
Location: Wood Village, Oregon
Posts: 249
Rep: 2 (Unique: 2)
Select All Posts By This User

When running the mixamp with a pc you will need a sound card or motherboard(audio chipset on mobo) that outputs in DDL for the mixamp to get the surround sound. Without DDL you will just get a stereo signal.

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

post #6 of 13

11/6/12 at 6:03am

ACallander
Apple Enthusiast

Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Garland, Texas
Posts: 299
Rep: 9 (Unique: 9)
Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by SocksWthSandals

What sound card supports true DDL? Not virtual, that you would recommend.

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel Core i5 2500K	MSI Z77 MPower	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 4GB	Corsair Vengence
Hard Drive	Cooling	OS	Monitor
OCZ Agility 4 256GB SSD	XSPC CPU Kit	Windows 8 64bit	Asus 24" PA248
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Asus 27" PB278Q	Filco Tenkeyless	SeaSonic Platinum 1000w	Merlin SM8
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Mionix Naos	qck Heavy Pad	Xonar DSX
View all

CPU	Graphics	RAM	Hard Drive
Intel Core i7-3770K	EVGA GTX 670 4GB	Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB	OCZ Vector Series 512GB
Monitor	Power	Audio
Asus PB Series PB278Q 27"	SeaSonic Platinum-1000 1000W	ASUS Xonar Essence STX
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel Core i5 2500K	MSI Z77 MPower	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 4GB	Corsair Vengence
Hard Drive	Cooling	OS	Monitor
OCZ Agility 4 256GB SSD	XSPC CPU Kit	Windows 8 64bit	Asus 24" PA248
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Asus 27" PB278Q	Filco Tenkeyless	SeaSonic Platinum 1000w	Merlin SM8
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Mionix Naos	qck Heavy Pad	Xonar DSX
View all

CPU	Graphics	RAM	Hard Drive
Intel Core i7-3770K	EVGA GTX 670 4GB	Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB	OCZ Vector Series 512GB
Monitor	Power	Audio
Asus PB Series PB278Q 27"	SeaSonic Platinum-1000 1000W	ASUS Xonar Essence STX
View all

hide details

post #7 of 13

11/6/12 at 6:19am

SquallPT
Commodore 64

Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Portugal
Posts: 17
Rep: 0 (Unique: 0)
Select All Posts By This User

I was using the astro mixamp with astro a40 headset in the pc and through a Asus Xonar D2X which has DDL, but one day I tried using the headset connected directly to the soundcard and sounded way better. IMHO if its just for pc gaming just try hooking up the headset to the soundcard and enabling the Dolby Headphone (if you were using it on the mixamp), I think the Astro stuff is very nice but its more for people who game on multiple platforms.

post #8 of 13

11/6/12 at 8:36pm

SocksWthSandals
4.0 GHz

Joined: Jul 2011
Location: Wood Village, Oregon
Posts: 249
Rep: 2 (Unique: 2)
Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACallander

What sound card supports true DDL? Not virtual, that you would recommend.

Any sound card that supports DDL will work just fine when paired with the mixamp. As SquallPT said above Im gonna agree. I use to use the mixamp combod with the HT-Omega Striker and that sounded pretty great. I recently got the Creative Titanium HD and started to run just the a40s with the sound card and it sounded pretty good. I always recommend when someone wants to use a sound card with the mixamp that the Ht-Omega Striker is my first go to, then the Xonar DX is usually the second if they need a pci-e slot card

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

post #9 of 13

11/6/12 at 9:04pm

ACallander
Apple Enthusiast

Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Garland, Texas
Posts: 299
Rep: 9 (Unique: 9)
Select All Posts By This User

That striker looks nice but I got the xonar for $50 so I pulled the trigger on that one. Would it be worth it to return it and save up to get the striker?

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel Core i5 2500K	MSI Z77 MPower	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 4GB	Corsair Vengence
Hard Drive	Cooling	OS	Monitor
OCZ Agility 4 256GB SSD	XSPC CPU Kit	Windows 8 64bit	Asus 24" PA248
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Asus 27" PB278Q	Filco Tenkeyless	SeaSonic Platinum 1000w	Merlin SM8
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Mionix Naos	qck Heavy Pad	Xonar DSX
View all

CPU	Graphics	RAM	Hard Drive
Intel Core i7-3770K	EVGA GTX 670 4GB	Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB	OCZ Vector Series 512GB
Monitor	Power	Audio
Asus PB Series PB278Q 27"	SeaSonic Platinum-1000 1000W	ASUS Xonar Essence STX
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel Core i5 2500K	MSI Z77 MPower	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 4GB	Corsair Vengence
Hard Drive	Cooling	OS	Monitor
OCZ Agility 4 256GB SSD	XSPC CPU Kit	Windows 8 64bit	Asus 24" PA248
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Asus 27" PB278Q	Filco Tenkeyless	SeaSonic Platinum 1000w	Merlin SM8
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio
Mionix Naos	qck Heavy Pad	Xonar DSX
View all

CPU	Graphics	RAM	Hard Drive
Intel Core i7-3770K	EVGA GTX 670 4GB	Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB	OCZ Vector Series 512GB
Monitor	Power	Audio
Asus PB Series PB278Q 27"	SeaSonic Platinum-1000 1000W	ASUS Xonar Essence STX
View all

hide details

post #10 of 13

11/7/12 at 10:52am

SocksWthSandals
4.0 GHz

Joined: Jul 2011
Location: Wood Village, Oregon
Posts: 249
Rep: 2 (Unique: 2)
Select All Posts By This User

You should be set with that one.

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

CPU	Motherboard	Graphics	RAM
Intel i7 Sandy Bridge 2600k	Asus Sabertooth Z77	xfx 6970	8gb Kingston HyperX
Hard Drive	Optical Drive	Cooling	OS
Corsair 60gb SSD, W/D 150gb Raptor, W/D 1Tb Black	Sony optiarc	Corsair H100	Windows 7
Monitor	Keyboard	Power	Case
Samsung 21.5, Viewsonic 21.5	Ducky 9008 Mx Blue	Corsair 750 watt	Corsair 600t (White)
Mouse	Mouse Pad	Audio	Other
Steelseries Sensei	Razer scarab	Asus Xonar Dx	Astro A40 Audio System
View all

hide details

« Previous
1
2
Next »

Start a New Thread

Subscribe Search This Thread

New Posts All Forums:Forum Nav:

Return Home

Back to Forum: Sound Cards and Computer Audio

Forums
Components
Sound Cards and Computer Audio
Using ASTRO MIXAMP with a sound card, redundant?

I honestly love this cooler, but I think I'm gonna move on to another one soon, it just looks... A bit to bland compared to other flaming red (literally) coolers on the market.

Metro 2033 is one of the greatest FPS games ever made. Although not usually recognized as such, due to the horrible state the gaming industry is in, it succeeds largely on its storytelling,...

This is an update of the original Fractal Design Arc Midi. The solid left panel has been replaced by a panel with a plexiglass window and the top USB ports are now USB-3.0. Let me state at the...

I've used this headset extensively for MAG on PS3. The sounds were wonderful, the mic was crisp, and the ability to adjust peoples voice volume is absolutely invaluable. For $100 ( or less ) this...

The Pros The reason this card is one of the better non-Tahiti 7870s is because of Gigabyte's custom PCB. Gigabyte took the 7870 and replaced it's memory chips with Hynix memory so they perform a...

Recent Reviews

Using ASTRO MIXAMP with a sound card, redundant?

Recent Discussions

Recent Reviews

New Articles

Featured Sponsors

Recent Reviews

Using ASTRO MIXAMP with a sound card, redundant?

Recent Discussions

Recent Reviews

New Articles