Schiit Hel advice/help

[TitusTroy]

I'm new to external DAC's etc so I'm confused about how to proceed...I've always used internal sound cards with my gaming PC or more recently onboard audio...I'm looking to build a new PC in the coming weeks (AMD build) and I was looking into whether to buy a new internal sound card (Sound Blaster X AE-5) or go with onboard again...but someone recommended the Schiit Hel...after doing some research it gets great reviews but I'm confused as to whether it will make sense for me

does Schiit support 5.1 audio?...or do they only support 2 channel?...seems like they are primarily designed for headphones and a microphone

I'm currently using budget 5.1 gaming speakers connected to the speaker inputs on the IO shield on the back of my case (yellow, green, black wires)...how would I connect those speakers to this Schiit Hel?...and is it worth it?...will it make a noticeable improvement over onboard audio?...for the record I think the speakers sound fine when gaming or listening to music over my PC

my current speakers spec sheet- Creative Inspire P5800

Creative Inspire P5800 - speaker system - For PC - wired Series Specs

Creative Inspire P5800 - speaker system - for PC overview and full product specs on CNET.

www.cnet.com

 

[Muadib]

The Hel doesn't really work for your speaker setup, as it doesn't do 5.1 for speakers. With a headset, you have the 5.1 speakers, and you just need the 3.5mm plug.

 

[TitusTroy]

The Hel doesn't really work for your speaker setup, as it doesn't do 5.1 for speakers. With a headset, you have the 5.1 speakers, and you just need the 3.5mm plug.

thanks for the info...are there any DACS/external amps that support 5.1 setups?

 

[Muadib]

thanks for the info...are there any DACS/external amps that support 5.1 setups?

Not that I'm aware of, but that's not saying much, as I never got into 5.1 setups for the pc.

 

[Dranoche]

If you want to continue using those speakers the easiest and cheapest option will be onboard or an internal sound card. A new external DAC alone isn't going to offer any significant improvement over your current setup. A number of external DACs with headphone amps built in offer virtual surround for headphones, but no way to make that work with your speakers. The Creative Sound Blaster X7 could be made to work, but it's $300, would need some additional wiring to make the front channels work, and offers no benefit over onboard or internal with those speakers.

If you want to spend that much money or more, I would get some larger speakers for stereo and toss the surrounds. Lots of options, passive and powered, some with built-in DAC. Might be able to make the sub keep working with it, though if not you might find that you don't miss it as much as you think you will, if at all.