Recommendations for DAC under 50$ to eliminate static noise on PC (headphones use only)

[DrLastContaQt]

Hi, Im bedroom DJ at night and marketing specialist at daytime My interest in music stared 24 year ago. Couple days ago I change CPU fan in my PC and from this moment I hear static noise when moving my mouse. I read a lot about it and there is nothing I can do for improve grounding. Im using motherbord build in Realtek sound card. Mamy people suggested, that buying external USB sound card should end my problem. But... because Im a perfectionist I stared to some research and stumble up this forum. I think you can help me decided what to buy. I use my PC for work and prep for my DJ sets. Im constantly listen to music, to find new tunes and inpire myself. Im susing gaming HyperX Cloud headset (60 Ohm) and Sennheiser HD 25 (70 Ohm). I need DAC or new sound card or USB dongle, whatever to drive my headphones and get rid of static noise. I don't won't to spend tone of money on it. My budget is 50$ max. Any recomendations?

 

[AdamG]

Hi, Im bedroom DJ at night and marketing specialist at daytime My interest in music stared 24 year ago. Couple days ago I change CPU fan in my PC and from this moment I hear static noise when moving my mouse. I read a lot about it and there is nothing I can do for improve grounding. Im using motherbord build in Realtek sound card. Mamy people suggested, that buying external USB sound card should end my problem. But... because Im a perfectionist I stared to some research and stumble up this forum. I think you can help me decided what to buy. I use my PC for work and prep for my DJ sets. Im constantly listen to music, to find new tunes and inpire myself. Im susing gaming HyperX Cloud headset (60 Ohm) and Sennheiser HD 25 (70 Ohm). I need DAC or new sound card or USB dongle, whatever to drive my headphones and get rid of static noise. I don't won't to spend tone of money on it. My budget is 50$ max. Any recomendations?

Welcome Aboard @DrLastContaQt.

 

[Vict0r]

Welcome! Take a look at the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sonata-hd-pro-review-headphone-adapter.22625/

 

[DrLastContaQt]

Welcome! Take a look at the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sonata-hd-pro-review-headphone-adapter.22625/

Thanks for recommendation. I read, that this DAC is not recommended for headphones with impedance higher that 32 Ohms. Im using 60 and 70 Ohms headphones.

 

[Vict0r]

Thanks for recommendation. I read, that this DAC is not recommended for headphones with impedance higher that 32 Ohms. Im using 60 and 70 Ohms headphones.

Only if you need ear-splitting volume.

 

[DrLastContaQt]

Only if you need ear-splitting volume.

I don't need that. I'm always take good care of my ears. On 60 Ohms headphones connected to build in sound card I'm using only 16-20 % of max volume Higher is too loud for me.

 

[davide78]

Another option is the Fiio E10K https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dslabs-odac-rev-b-compared-to-fiio-e10k.2068/

I use one at office, and I am very happy about it. There is a german seller on ebay that sells refurbished units for ~55 Euros. I got mine from him.

 

[DrLastContaQt]

What about Meizu HiFi standard (non PRO). It costs about 20-25$ on Aliexpress at the moment?

EDIT. Never mind. I found review here for this product... PRO version looks better but is unavailable ATM.

 

[mkawa]

tempotec sonata hd pro. best value in audio!

 

[DrLastContaQt]

Another option is the Fiio E10K https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dslabs-odac-rev-b-compared-to-fiio-e10k.2068/

I use one at office, and I am very happy about it. There is a german seller on ebay that sells refurbished units for ~55 Euros. I got mine from him.

I found him. He have couple them left for sale. I'm leaning toward this DAC

 

[mkawa]

meizu pros are out of production. however, they are straightforward cs4313 implementations, as are the sonata hd pro

 

[DrLastContaQt]

I bought refurbished FiiO E10K from the ebay guy from Germany

 

[sumpao]

Try optimize your pc first for audio first

 

[DrLastContaQt]

Try optimize your pc first for audio first

All settings mentioned in this video are settings useful if you are recording music into you PC, so you PC will use max CPU, never switch off monitor, HDD ect. There are not relevant to listening to music. But thanks for posting this video.

 

[sumpao]

All settings mentioned in this video are settings useful if you are recording music into you PC, so you PC will use max CPU, never switch off monitor, HDD ect. There are not relevant to listening to music. But thanks for posting this video.

It does effect playback music.

If you follow the step you will not get system sound it huge different

other than that after i set up like that i never got strange sound from pc again

 

[DrLastContaQt]

It does effect playback music.

If you follow the step you will not get system sound it huge different

other than that after i set up like that i never got strange sound from pc again

Define "strange sound"? Problems with PC audio (static noise, clicking ect.) are caused by cables and electricity interference inside PC (fans, graphic card, SSD cables ect), so any software settings usually can't solve it. That is why I bought external DAC, to move DAC out of my PC case.

 

[sumpao]

Define "strange sound"? Problems with PC audio (static noise, clicking ect.) are caused by cables and electricity interference inside PC (fans, graphic card, SSD cables ect), so any software settings usually can't solve it. That is why I bought external DAC, to move DAC out of my PC case.

1. Pop sound when change application Jriver>Netflix
2. Pop sound when notification appear
and etc

 

[sumpao]

Define "strange sound"? Problems with PC audio (static noise, clicking ect.) are caused by cables and electricity interference inside PC (fans, graphic card, SSD cables ect), so any software settings usually can't solve it. That is why I bought external DAC, to move DAC out of my PC case.

I use external dac and that problem don't go out 100% when you change to external dac.

Window setting is also a must for playback