[Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

[ceebs]

Thanks for your thoughts, Alan. I’m not into streaming, just thought this might be a decent solution for playing on my PC and Series X, but its standout feature seems to be SXFI and my headset isn’t supported.
Really struggling to find a device that gives great positional audio and that works with 4k 120Hz consoles and PCs.

Gotcha.

I confess every now and then going back to the ATH-ADG1X is so comfortable.

Can I suggest some options?

You can use a ADC Converter, like the PORTTA, use it from the headphone out of the controller to feed the SBX7 SPDIF TOSlink input. - I don't quite remember if DSP (SBX) can be apply to the Optical input or is only USB.

If that is not an option, well all you can do at the moment is going to the analog domain, time to upgrade your audio gear.

Meaning, going for proper wide soundstage great stereo imaging HiFi headphones, like HD560S, AKG K702*, or DT990 Pro** both with wider soundstage and precise sound positioning than ADG1X which by the way sounds narrower on X7 DAC. Both more effective and more afforable solution, where Sennheiser HD800S is the endgame gaming headphone, put any source to that thing and it will turn it on a true surround experience.

However these headphones needs amplification to get the best of it, fortunately a $99 usd headphone amp does the job. Schiit Magni Heresy, JDS Atom, Topping L30.

Then as a final tweak you can buy Xbox Dolby Atmos App and use its Equalizer to boost some frequencies that make it easier to distinguish footsteps and other cues, which is pretty much what Creative does with SBX Scout and all that DSP thing that he sells as improvements.

Notice: I'm not on the "fixing issues by throwing money", but on this case seems unavoidable.

Even when the HDMI 2.1 Extractors arrival, XBox is looking to bring HiRes Dolby Atmos in their games and that can't go on SPDIF limited bandwidth. 

*great footsteps decection wide soundstage
**best for soundwhore footsteps detection

I bought the AKGs, aaaaannnd...

I love 'em!

I've used them on PC and the PS4 Pro (with the X7). So much more depth than my G1Xs and the positional audio is really good. So much so that, on CoD, It's like having a permanent audio VSAT! Thanks for the recommendation, AMG.

I've not used them with the Series X yet though, as I can only source the Atom and the L30 in the UK and they're both ~£140. Can you suggest anything cheaper?

[AMG]

Awesome!, enjoy it its a great pair of cans. 

Well, proper amplification is quite tricky, picking up a cheap amp can ruin the sound delivery.

Sound amplification is not about getting louder, but getting clearer.

Sound is like a very detail to a tee, illustration, like a bill / note
An Amplifier is like a magnifying glass, that allow us to see all the details and very small subtleties of that illustration.
The quality of the glass will determine how well we can "Zoom in" to appreciate those details (sound dynamics, attack, speed, changes on the sound)

If this glass is dirty or scratched, opaque it wont work, that's why on audiophile we use the word "transparent" how "clean" that glass is and how well magnifies this image.

Below $100 USD you won't find a good amplifier without ruining the sound... imaging, sound-stage, all the wide airy openess the AKG has, will be ruined.

If I remember right, you can use SB X7 RCA Audio In with a Y RCA L/R to 3.5mm adapter to keep using its built-in amplifier.

Now if you are looking to make another jump and get a transparent amplifier (X7 is not) JDS Atom all the way; 5 years ago we should pay above $300 USD to get that amp transparency performance. Topping L30 or any chinese clone... I will stay away due its QC issues, there is some L30 batch out there that blows headphones.

However, there is an amazing audio british company, they make most amazing high performance-value ratio products and I guess you can find it cheaper than the rest of the world, and that is iFi Audio. iFi Zen CAN amp and you will be set, its 135 amp sounds like a an american 299 amp.

I check on amazon uk, and there is a Pro-ject 125 lb, legendary Austrian company.

So it might feelt like a little stretch but a very worthy upgrade that will unleashed all the potential of your AKG's

ifi Zen CAN  > Pro-Ject  > Atom

Topping L30

All those cheapo portable no-brand chinese headphone amps below $40 USD... stay away.

Hope it helps!

[ceebs]

If I remember right, you can use SB X7 RCA Audio In with a Y RCA L/R to 3.5mm adapter to keep using its built-in amplifier.

  Sorry, but this went right over my head. Any chance you could explain what you mean to somebody that knows nothing about audio equipment (me)?

[AMG]

If I remember right, you can use SB X7 RCA Audio In with a Y RCA L/R to 3.5mm adapter to keep using its built-in amplifier.

  Sorry, but this went right over my head. Any chance you could explain what you mean to somebody that knows nothing about audio equipment (me)?

Sorry for the late reply.

This:


Headphone to SB X7. 

[Roman_M]

Hello friends, what are you doing?  What's new and interesting.  Alan share your "affairs" with us =)

[ceebs]

If I remember right, you can use SB X7 RCA Audio In with a Y RCA L/R to 3.5mm adapter to keep using its built-in amplifier.

  Sorry, but this went right over my head. Any chance you could explain what you mean to somebody that knows nothing about audio equipment (me)?

Sorry for the late reply.

This:


Headphone to SB X7. 

Thanks Alan.
Yes, it does work but I’m picking up interferance (from the Apex and something else, that I can’t isolate). Think I’ll just get the Zen Can.

[ceebs]

I need to bin my SB X7 as I'm getting interference (a low buzzing/hum) no matter where I position it or which socket it's plugged into. I'm suspecting a loose internal connection.

I'm thinking of getting the Fiio K5 Pro, as I can connect my PS4 (optical), PC (USB) and Series X (RCA) to it, all at the same time.

In your opinion, is there much difference in sound quality between the iFi ZEN CAN and the Fiio K5 Pro?

[antithesis]

Did you change any cables in your X7 setup? Bundling any audio cables with power cables? What input & output are you using?

[ceebs]

Did you change any cables in your X7 setup? Bundling any audio cables with power cables? What input & output are you using?

I unplugged everything a few weeks ago when I replaced my gaming desk and the problem started when I reconnected, but all the cables are the same. I've swapped out all the 5v power packs to see if I plugged in the wrong one, but that didn't fix it.
I can only think that I damaged the X7 when I moved it.

[AMG]

Hi ceebs,

It is like a hum or buzz?, it might be a ground issue, quite common when you are putting together two devices with different outles.

It may be fix with a ground loop insolator: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001EAQTRI/

It goes between the RCA 3.5mm male and the Headphone input.

Honestly iFi Zen CAN will be the best upgrade.

[AMG]

Hello friends, what are you doing?  What's new and interesting.  Alan share your "affairs" with us =)

Hey Roman!, not much 

These cans took me out of my gaming lately:


Can't find a new game that hook me up. 

[Bagura32rus]

Hi Alan!  tell me please, I have a mixamp gen3 - jds labs atom amp - ears HyperX Cloud Alpha Cloud9, it is possible to purchase JDS EL DAC I, can I leave a mixamp in this chain to adjust the volume of the game and adjust the volume of the chat?  Thank you for the answer .

[AMG]

Hi Bagura32rus!

EL DAC is a great upgrade, big step up.

-Which console you are on?

[Bagura32rus]

Hi Bagura32rus!

EL DAC is a great upgrade, big step up.

-Which console you are on?

Xbox series X

[Bagura32rus]

can I leave a mixamp in this bundle for adjusting chat and games?  so that it was JDS EL DAC I- jds labs atom amp- mixamp?