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

[AMG]

All right.

I don't know if MixAmp TR Game/Chat Mix knob works without Optical input. I don't think so.

MixAmp mixes two audio sources, game(Optical) and Chat Voice (USB). New consoles lost this functionality, instead these two audio sources are handled by the XBox side, at the Volume Options.

Only way to get Optical back is by using HDMI Audio Extractor, but there isn't HDM2.1 yet, only 2.0b which doesn't gives you 4K@120Hz, VRR, instead: 1440p/1080p@120Hz only.

Because now XB and PS can do Chat/Game Mix on the console, and even offer digital Equalizers... all the MixAmp TR models are now obsolete, Astro haven't acknoweldge that (to sold all leftover units, my guess) they are moving to the controller attached mixamp version.

If you want to keep using your MixAmp, and added a best DAC and Amp, there is a way but MixAmp is pretty much an unnecesary audio funnel.

You will get best sound by connecting your hi-fi DAC directly to the controller by getting an ADC 3.5mm Audio to Optical converter (on this thread, earlier).

Setting everything as follows:
[Controller]-[Y Headphone mic splitter]
[Y Mic in]-[Mic]
[Y Headphone Out]-[3.5mm male to male]-[ADC converter]-[Optical cable]-[EL DAC Optical In]
[EL DAC]-[RCA cables]-[AMP RCA In]
[AMP Headphone In]-[Headphones]
All Game/Chat Mix done on XB settings.
Headphone EQ on the Dolby Atmos App.

The other way (not recommended) to keep using your MixAmp and added EL DAC and Amp at the end, is putting the ADC converter, on the MixAmp Headphone Out. (You will need a Y Headphone / Mic Splitter).

For keep 120Hz@4K and VRR, there is not other way -at the moment- that using Controller headphone out.

If you still want to have a physical working Knob, then you should use something like Astro M80 MixAmp, and setting up everything as mention before.

[Bagura32rus]

All right.

I don't know if MixAmp TR Game/Chat Mix knob works without Optical input. I don't think so.

MixAmp mixes two audio sources, game(Optical) and Chat Voice (USB). New consoles lost this functionality, instead these two audio sources are handled by the XBox side, at the Volume Options.

Only way to get Optical back is by using HDMI Audio Extractor, but there isn't HDM2.1 yet, only 2.0b which doesn't gives you 4K@120Hz, VRR, instead: 1440p/1080p@120Hz only.

Because now XB and PS can do Chat/Game Mix on the console, and even offer digital Equalizers... all the MixAmp TR models are now obsolete, Astro haven't acknoweldge that (to sold all leftover units, my guess) they are moving to the controller attached mixamp version.

If you want to keep using your MixAmp, and added a best DAC and Amp, there is a way but MixAmp is pretty much an unnecesary audio funnel.

You will get best sound by connecting your hi-fi DAC directly to the controller by getting an ADC 3.5mm Audio to Optical converter (on this thread, earlier).

Setting everything as follows:
[Controller]-[Y Headphone mic splitter]
[Y Mic in]-[Mic]
[Y Headphone Out]-[3.5mm male to male]-[ADC converter]-[Optical cable]-[EL DAC Optical In]
[EL DAC]-[RCA cables]-[AMP RCA In]
[AMP Headphone In]-[Headphones]
All Game/Chat Mix done on XB settings.
Headphone EQ on the Dolby Atmos App.

The other way (not recommended) to keep using your MixAmp and added EL DAC and Amp at the end, is putting the ADC converter, on the MixAmp Headphone Out. (You will need a Y Headphone / Mic Splitter).

For keep 120Hz@4K and VRR, there is not other way -at the moment- that using Controller headphone out.

If you still want to have a physical working Knob, then you should use something like Astro M80 MixAmp, and setting up everything as mention before.

thank you very much !  I do not use HDMI Audio Extractor anymore, can I connect it according to your scheme?

[AMG]

thank you very much !  I do not use HDMI Audio Extractor anymore, can I connect it according to your scheme?

np 

Yes, you can but you might need the ADC adapter (Analog 3.5mm to Optical).

[Bagura32rus]

thank you very much !  I do not use HDMI Audio Extractor anymore, can I connect it according to your scheme?

np 

Yes, you can but you might need the ADC adapter (Analog 3.5mm to Optical).

you can depict your connection in the figure to make it clearer where to insert everything.  thank you in advance

[AMG]

[Bagura32rus]

Thank you very much !👍

[JarBOR]

How to setup Xbox series x, Lg C1, Mayflower Arc Mk2, Headphone and ModMic? Alan diagram pls. Thx

[AMG]

How to setup Xbox series x, Lg C1, Mayflower Arc Mk2, Headphone and ModMic? Alan diagram pls. Thx

1. Set ARC MK2 to Optical Mode.
2. C1 SPDIF Out to ARC MK2 SPDIF In.
3. At the controller use a Y Headphone/Mic Splitter like the one on the picture.
4. Connect your microphone to the Mic In on the Splitter.
5. XBox Volume Options, Party Chat Output select: Speakers.

That's it,

Sorry no diagram, takes me sometime to do it, can't at the moment; hope is clear

[JarBOR]

Thx Alan. You are so lazy Headphone to Arc or splitter?

[AMG]

Thx Alan. You are so lazy Headphone to Arc or splitter?

are you really that stupid?

[JarBOR]

Lol

[ceebs]

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.

That helped. Thanks bud.

[Roman_M]

Alan, dear, please share your successes - news and interesting things in the field of sound topics, and new acquisitions.  What's going on with you now?  I hope everything is fine with you and you are healthy!  🤗 (no pain only !! we need you !!! 🎧🌞🔊🎶

[AMG]

Alan, dear, please share your successes - news and interesting things in the field of sound topics, and new acquisitions.  What's going on with you now?  I hope everything is fine with you and you are healthy!  🤗 (no pain only !! we need you !!! 🎧🌞🔊🎶

Hi Roman_M!

Gaming DAC/Amps offering for recent gen consoles is pretty much stall, only Schiit launched the Fulla 4 but is PC only; that's it!.

Beyerdynamic is launching DT900 X Pro, still not quite sure how good is for gaming... frequency chart looks promising, more controlled treble, yet Tygr 300R seems a more afforable option.

My go-to game is pretty much dead in the water, player base has plumped down, we're waiting for BF6 or something but still nothing new that caught my attention.

I went back to my audiophile ways, this is my latest acquisition:
HIFIMAN HE1000SE


By far best headphone I have heard, it has an insane realistic holographic sound representation. Every acoustic music piece or singer sounds like is in the same room with me; sweet bass that hits and goes, crips to the detail treble and very well done timbre.

I confess I haven't tried it for gaming... don't want to, because I know once I heard it... it's going to be painful to go back to regular gaming headphones/headset, besides gaming audio is too small (resolution wise) for such a revealing headphone.

That's why I keep saying don't over do it, any $200 headphone with high precision stereo imaging and decent soundstage will serve you well enough, you don't need a HD800S or something like this HE1000SE a $3500 USD headphone.

Get XIM Nexus instead

[Roman_M]

Alan, dear, please share your successes - news and interesting things in the field of sound topics, and new acquisitions.  What's going on with you now?  I hope everything is fine with you and you are healthy!  🤗 (no pain only !! we need you !!! 🎧🌞🔊🎶

Hi Roman_M!

Gaming DAC/Amps offering for recent gen consoles is pretty much stall, only Schiit launched the Fulla 4 but is PC only; that's it!.

Beyerdynamic is launching DT900 X Pro, still not quite sure how good is for gaming... frequency chart looks promising, more controlled treble, yet Tygr 300R seems a more afforable option.

My go-to game is pretty much dead in the water, player base has plumped down, we're waiting for BF6 or something but still nothing new that caught my attention.

I went back to my audiophile ways, this is my latest acquisition:
HIFIMAN HE1000SE


By far best headphone I have heard, it has an insane realistic holographic sound representation. Every acoustic music piece or singer sounds like is in the same room with me; sweet bass that hits and goes, crips to the detail treble and very well done timbre.

I confess I haven't tried it for gaming... don't want to, because I know once I heard it... it's going to be painful to go back to regular gaming headphones/headset, besides gaming audio is too small (resolution wise) for such a revealing headphone.

That's why I keep saying don't over do it, any $200 headphone with high precision stereo imaging and decent soundstage will serve you well enough, you don't need a HD800S or something like this HE1000SE a $3500 USD headphone.

Get XIM Nexus instead

Great !  As always, you will please us with your news, it's great =) You have the best headphones 😳👍 Thank you for sharing your news, have a nice day 🌞