PC!-e x16, Half Height Sound Card: OBVIOUSLY better?

nobody?

yage

thanks for your reply.

I have no noise or volume issues now, no problem, just, I got a slot, what would be better?

I was just kind of assuming a card slot would be better than usb/another external device.

is there a card PCI-e DAC with RCA out?

OR: ethernet to motherboard, ____?____ out usb (2 or 3 available) to USB DAC with RCA out to Luxman Integrated Line In? Thru a hub ok or problematic?

what is the most limiting part of that chain, i.e. is the motherboard audio codec involved or is signal from ethernet simply passed along to the USB out to the DAC?

..................................

this would give me 2 additional rear usb 3.0 ports, no need to use the external usb hub

I could get a card with 2 usb 3.0 ports like this (same as above)

OR

this DAC has 3 digital input options: ARC; Toslink; Coax (no usb). I would need to find an audio card with one of those outputs. Any advantage?

yage,

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me with this.

Now: out of my headphone jack, no hum or noise even at full volume which surprises me.

To Luxman 10wpc Tubes to Ar2ax speakers I just restored. Those vintage speakers have Level Controls for the mid and tweeter, I replaced them and adjusted in place. I sit dead center and get terrific imaging for both audio and music videos.

I started this because it's the last potential improvement I could think of in my office. I don't know what limitations are imposed by the motherboard/audio codec/dac somewhere/to headphone jack. It just seems a dinky headphone jack ought to be easily beaten.

.............................................

I'm gonna buy a half height usb 3.0 card, I could use more ports in any case.

Then try the Topping D10s from Amazon you recommend.

Questions:

1. USB input on Topping looks like a standard usb printer cord, Correct?

2.12 ft run from PC to Luxman with some slack: Longer usb/shorter RCA or short USB/longer RCA? Really doesn't matter?

3. says 'Latest' Windows. I have 10 home, I do not want to upgrade to 11. 10 presumably works?

4. 'Thesycon Installation'? Different Player?

I'm now using Windows Media Player for the small amount of music I have downloaded (whatever comes when I buy a new LP).

YouTube and Pandora my primary sources, I see their windows, is Windows Media Player in the background playing those streams?

After Thesycon Install, still use Windows Media Player? 

Thanks, Elliott

ps,

D10s is working from external powered usb hub now.

Half height card just arrived, I'll put it in later, plug into it directly.

OK, I got a plan and all the answers thanks to your help!

ordered both card and dac, amazon, b here tomorrow, amazing

yage

I am certainly glad I asked and took your advice.

Topping D10s: windows 10 found/setup/selected itself, noting to do except listen!

Sound is OBVIOUSLY improved, exactly what I asked for, and the VOLUME output is considerably higher than the motherboard's headphone jack, very helpful to my 10 wpc Luxman tube amp.

I balanced these AR-2ax speakers by ear (tweeter and midrange volume controls). Now I will get my SPL mic, tripod, and test tone cd and calibrate accurately like I do in my main system.

all these were obviously better:

OH yeah!!!!

Installed Card, same results as the Powered USB Hub, so I got 2 additional USB 3.0 ports, better sound and more volume!!!