AnalogSteph
Major Contributor
Try your onboard output with your new gear first. As long as it stays quiet when your graphics card is being loaded and system volume is kept below 80% just in case, chances are you'll be just fine. An ALC887 is not going to set records in terms of dynamic range, but honestly, these Realteks sound just fine as a line-level source.
A dedicated DAC would provide higher maximum output level (possibly up to 8 dB), so you may get higher levels out of the amp as well. Noise level would also be lower, but you shouldn't have a problem keeping that in check as-is, assuming the chip's implementation is yielding anywhere near datasheet performance. USB audio may be more sensitive to issues though.
If you're sporting an A320 board, chances are a DAC (twice the price of the board) shouldn't be very high on your list of priorities as long as the onboard audio gets the job done. What kind of power supply is being used in the system?
A dedicated DAC would provide higher maximum output level (possibly up to 8 dB), so you may get higher levels out of the amp as well. Noise level would also be lower, but you shouldn't have a problem keeping that in check as-is, assuming the chip's implementation is yielding anywhere near datasheet performance. USB audio may be more sensitive to issues though.
If you're sporting an A320 board, chances are a DAC (twice the price of the board) shouldn't be very high on your list of priorities as long as the onboard audio gets the job done. What kind of power supply is being used in the system?
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