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

[Epic1Hit]

what i was saying is can i use the astro mixamp with the arc for a cleaner wire setup


something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW0qIsGYAFo

[AMG]

Ah OK both, It will be kind of pointless and sub-par audio quality wise...

In that case you only need a Analog RCA to Digital SPDIF converter, connect your Astro MixAmp as usual.

On the Astro MixAmp headphone/mic connector, connect Y Adapter (Headphone - Speaker splitter).
Connect the Speaker end of the Y Adapter to a 3.5mm to the Analog to SPDIF converter, then connect your headphones to the Arc Headphone input.

Now, this is why is pointless and sub-par (sound performance wise). First you will be wasting Arc functionality and paying a lot money for amplification.

In that arrangement in essence you are only want to amplify for your MixAmp audio output. In that case, a headphone amplifier will better and cheap, something like the JDS Atom, Objective 2 or Liquid Spark, for only $100 usd will do the job.


Now, this is why is sub-par audio wise.

The audio signal that comes from your console shouldn't be distort or compress, is very important.

When comes out of the MixAmp it has some level of compression (just like the image resize example), also the Chat Mix Audio adds more "noise", and finally MixAmp makes a bit of amplification. So at the end you have this compress, distort and a bit amplified audio image and on top of that you make it louder with an external amplifier, giving the double amp dreaded effect.

Granted, earlier MixAmps had a ton of compression, 2017 models are way better but I don't know how good "transparent" is the new 2019 release.

If you want Surround Sound, EQ's, and be able to use high impedance audiophile grade headphones, then Sound Blaster X G6 will be a better choice over the MixAmp with an external amp.

SBX G6 has better dynamic range and raw power than the SB X7, still not as good as the Arc.

Now if you already have MixAmp 2019, then your best route will be to find a good Audiophile grade headphones that runs with low impedance (60 Omhs or lower) and high dB, like the GSP 600/500, ATH-ADG1X, HD599, Hyper Alpha, Cloud II and use DareDevil aka Emperor Potara tune EQ presets for these specific headphones. MixAmp will be enough to power them and it will sound as it should be through Potara well tuned EQ's.

As you can see there is many options and there's not a perfect device. MixAmp Chat Mix and Surround are its best features, SBX is in the middle with above Sound delivery, better Surround than MixAmp, and the Arc or dedicated DAC and dedicated Amp will be the best sound performance, but no Surround on those and messing with cables (specifically on XB1 due its limitations).

[mickyg77]

I tried briefly yesterday to plug my arc into my macbook pro but it wasn't working for some reason. I just plugged the usb
 cable into the adaptor I have (my Macbook doesn't have a USB port so I use a 3 in 1 adaptor which has USB, HDMI, etc.). I put it into USB mode. I was expecting it to automatically play sound through the headphones like when you plug them into the headphone jack... but there must be an extra step since it's going through USB? Sound continued to play through the laptop's speakers.

[MisterWicked1]

I've got the arc with a set of 58x now I've been trying to figure out a way to use a mixer to adjust chat aduio because I find it wayy too loud when your trying to hear footsteps. I've been debating picking up a Schiit magni 3, modi 3 and a loki. To see if it would even be a better upgrade from the arc and also give me a option to possible adjust some of those high aduio sounds down. Still wouldn't solve my game audio vs chat audio mixing. I watched the video posted above and we t back to his old video with the Proleads mixer he used to mix the two but I don't see a good way to do without compromising audio quality.

[AMG]

The fella on the video, he is using the MixAmp then trying to "fix" or make it less awful the compress audio output signal by using a Behringer Composer (discontinued device) then amplifying this "less wrinkle audio source" with the headphone amplifier.

So he is braking a plate and glue it together and making it bigger, is better than the original source? -no.

[AMG]

I tried briefly yesterday to plug my arc into my macbook pro but it wasn't working for some reason. I just plugged the usb
 cable into the adaptor I have (my Macbook doesn't have a USB port so I use a 3 in 1 adaptor which has USB, HDMI, etc.). I put it into USB mode. I was expecting it to automatically play sound through the headphones like when you plug them into the headphone jack... but there must be an extra step since it's going through USB? Sound continued to play through the laptop's speakers.

Maybe is not compatible with your adapter which is not a true USB bus. I tried the Arc with my old MBP 2009 and works, no drivers needed, ask to Mayflower they might know a solution for it.

I've got the arc with a set of 58x now I've been trying to figure out a way to use a mixer to adjust chat aduio because I find it wayy too loud when your trying to hear footsteps. I've been debating picking up a Schiit magni 3, modi 3 and a loki. To see if it would even be a better upgrade from the arc and also give me a option to possible adjust some of those high aduio sounds down. Still wouldn't solve my game audio vs chat audio mixing. I watched the video posted above and we t back to his old video with the Proleads mixer he used to mix the two but I don't see a good way to do without compromising audio quality.

Arc DAC/Amp is better, resolving and clean sound performance than magni and modi stack.

To improve over Arc you are looking to over $300 DAC and over a $500 Amp, like JDS El DAC, Airist DAC R-2R Schiit Jotunheim, THX AAA 789, at this point you are kind of overdoing it for gaming only. Spending more than $800 will give you 800% improve? - no 30% maybe, 20% definitely.

Unfortunately mixing two audio sources (for Chat and gaming Audio) as clean as possible with hardware EQ, that's studio console territory, equipment of $1500 or above, without mention the huge amount of space those need.

That's the peculiarity of mixamp, its digital and analog mixer in a very small package it is makes it unique, but with sound quality sacrifices.

If you are feeling the footsteps too loud, then I don't an EQ or a different DAC/Amp, what you have to go for is a different pair of headphones with a more push back middle range, something like the AKG K7XX, or the HifiMan HE-4XX.

There is not a headphone that does everything.

Always Headphone Frequency Response > EQ.

EQ is more like a resource to "season" sound or soften it, never to try to change it entirely it will never make a headphone driver goes further than its physical imitations or design. HD58X had very forward middle, EQ can't do much without messing with other frequencies.

[Epic1Hit]

sounds like my best bet will be just to use the arc as is with no other mixer and get a good pair of headphones and the extra wiring for mic to work.

Philips SHP9500S
Audio Technica ATH-AD900X
Philips X2/27 Fidelio
beyerdynamic MMX 300
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm
with one of these head phones

my goal is to get best sound imaging as i can get for better pin point foot steps in pubg and other fps games

[AMG]

To create your own Chat Mix, you need a Digital 2 Channel Audio Mixer, 2 digital inputs 1 digital output.
and a Analog to Digital converter.
Plug your console digital output to one input in the mixer, plug your chat audio to the converter to go to digital and then to the mixer digital input, plug the digital output to the Arc digital input.

Going the other route using an Analog mixer and digital converters harms more audio quality.

The issue here is, two 2 digital mixer is unheard-of, only 4 or above and these are huge console mixers, with balanced inputs and other complex stuff.

[MisterWicked1]

Yeah it's opposite for me gunshots Soo loud and footsteps are low, you know how the bad the sound is on pubg. I figured the magni and modi would be an improvement. Then I figured the Loki I might be able to boost those treble ranges. But if your saying the arc is better I might have to go back to the scratch pad. I figured being way newer equip than the 6 year old arc. I looked at the schiit hel but not compatible with console. I've also been debating picking up the Akg 712 headset and try them. I'm also anticipating I'm going far and beyond for console hoping next gen I'll be ready for. 

[AMG]

If you can't try them, look at the metrics, those shows you what a difference or improvement will be, pay special attention to Dynamic Range, Input Impedance(32, 150, 300) and Output Impedance.

Arc has only 2 years in the market, that's why is compatible with XB1 and PS4. Is not the objective 2..

For PUBG well you're right, sound is terrible in that game. I think if is your main game... then SBX G6 might be better option for you, it has a pretune preset for PUBG for scouting, or through software you can equalize it to your liking for $150 usd you get better dynamic range than the X7.

[MisterWicked1]

Im happy with the arc but have becme addicted chasing for "the better" wish Pubg would get there audio together also

[Epic1Hit]

Ah OK both, It will be kind of pointless and sub-par audio quality wise...

In that case you only need a Analog RCA to Digital SPDIF converter, connect your Astro MixAmp as usual.

On the Astro MixAmp headphone/mic connector, connect Y Adapter (Headphone - Speaker splitter).
Connect the Speaker end of the Y Adapter to a 3.5mm to the Analog to SPDIF converter, then connect your headphones to the Arc Headphone input.

Now, this is why is pointless and sub-par (sound performance wise). First you will be wasting Arc functionality and paying a lot money for amplification.

In that arrangement in essence you are only want to amplify for your MixAmp audio output. In that case, a headphone amplifier will better and cheap, something like the JDS Atom, Objective 2 or Liquid Spark, for only $100 usd will do the job.


Now, this is why is sub-par audio wise.

The audio signal that comes from your console shouldn't be distort or compress, is very important.

When comes out of the MixAmp it has some level of compression (just like the image resize example), also the Chat Mix Audio adds more "noise", and finally MixAmp makes a bit of amplification. So at the end you have this compress, distort and a bit amplified audio image and on top of that you make it louder with an external amplifier, giving the double amp dreaded effect.

Granted, earlier MixAmps had a ton of compression, 2017 models are way better but I don't know how good "transparent" is the new 2019 release.

If you want Surround Sound, EQ's, and be able to use high impedance audiophile grade headphones, then Sound Blaster X G6 will be a better choice over the MixAmp with an external amp.

SBX G6 has better dynamic range and raw power than the SB X7, still not as good as the Arc.

Now if you already have MixAmp 2019, then your best route will be to find a good Audiophile grade headphones that runs with low impedance (60 Omhs or lower) and high dB, like the GSP 600/500, ATH-ADG1X, HD599, Hyper Alpha, Cloud II and use DareDevil aka Emperor Potara tune EQ presets for these specific headphones. MixAmp will be enough to power them and it will sound as it should be through Potara well tuned EQ's.

As you can see there is many options and there's not a perfect device. MixAmp Chat Mix and Surround are its best features, SBX is in the middle with above Sound delivery, better Surround than MixAmp, and the Arc or dedicated DAC and dedicated Amp will be the best sound performance, but no Surround on those and messing with cables (specifically on XB1 due its limitations).

wait, cant i just connect my astro mixamp usb to xbox and use the op from the arc to the xbox and split the cables that way? so that way there is no interference with audio quality

[digital blasphemy]

Alan thanks for schooling me on this.

I tryed upgrading from an old pair of A50. To A40 mix amp TR. Was $262.00 out the door. Used the presets and was just slightly better sound detection. Not worth the money tbh. For $350.00 I bought mayflower and Audio-Technica ATH-AG1X. They will be here in a few days and I will give my feed back. Useing this for Cod MW 2019.

Awesome thread.

[goaty]

The ARC MK2 is out now. I was able to cancel my order for the MK1 and ordered the new one 

Can't wait to try it out

[MisterWicked1]

The ARC MK2 is out now. I was able to cancel my order for the MK1 and ordered the new one 

Can't wait to try it out

Just pre-ordered myself, going to sell my Arc I have now on eBay soon along with the gen 4 A40s I have.