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Topic: What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa (Read 2533 times) previous topic - next topic
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What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa

I think it's about time I looked further into audio hardware, since I lack more knowledge in this department than on the software side, but until I have an adequate PC and have perhaps taken a professional course, there are still many questions on my mind.

I'd like to know exactly what the function is of a sound card. I know the basics, that they process audio signals and that but how, and with what techniques? is a DAC basically a soundcard or is it a vital component of very sound card? Without one, there would be no audio, correct?

Another thing. Exactly how does a modern, high end PCI-e sound card (let's use the Xonar Essence STX as an example) differ from say a Technics Sh Ge90 sound processor? With many years between the release of the two, how has the technology advanced, on a technical scale? If the Xonar has a SNR of 124db, what would an old technics, or even a modern Hi-fi system have?

See, a Relative of mine owns a 4 deck Technics sound system, still in impeccable condition, and boy the sound is so great. I often wonder if I could experience better sound if I used say a high-end Xonar with the same pair of loudspeakers and same source of music, via RCA too of course. I ask this because these high-end PCI express and USB  sound cards use asymmetrical (and now symmetrical too) upsampling - even my cheap Xonar U3 does, which had me wondering, do these larger multi-deck sound processors use any method of upsampling whatsoever? Sure they are old but sometimes I convince myself they sound better than any PCI-e sound card.

If I'm correct on this, upsampling achieves only greater dynamic range and nothing else. Or am I wrong?

I hope my questions aren't too complicated. Please don't hesitate to throw some questions my way, I'd be happy to answer them.

What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Lionide on
I'd like to know exactly what the function is of a sound card. I know the basics, that they process audio signals and that but how, and with what techniques? is a DAC basically a soundcard or is it a vital component of very sound card? Without one, there would be no audio, correct?


A modern sound card is a DAC,  ADC and headphone amp as well as SP/DIF transceiver if they support that.  There is very little else.

Edit:  Well there is also a USB or PCIe bridge of some kind to interface the device with whatever system is providing data to it.

Quote from: Lionide on
Another thing. Exactly how does a modern, high end PCI-e sound card (let's use the Xonar Essence STX as an example) differ from say a Technics Sh Ge90 sound processor? With many years between the release of the two, how has the technology advanced, on a technical scale? If the Xonar has a SNR of 124db, what would an old technics, or even a modern Hi-fi system have?


The former is a sound card, while the later is a sound card as well as a very basic microcontroller that implements some of the functions that a modern PC audio program would implement.

Quote from: Lionide on
See, a Relative of mine owns a 4 deck Technics sound system, still in impeccable condition, and boy the sound is so great. I often wonder if I could experience better sound if I used say a high-end Xonar with the same pair of loudspeakers and same source of music, via RCA too of course.


Assuming you used equivalent software, you could reproduce the same effect, although the dynamic range would be higher on a modern device most likely.

Quote from: Lionide on
If I'm correct on this, upsampling achieves only greater dynamic range and nothing else. Or am I wrong?


Oversampling (which is what you are referring to) is a technique that is used for several different purposes in modern audio equipment.  You can read about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oversampling

What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa

Reply #2 –
Quote
If the Xonar has a SNR of 124db, what would an old technics, or even a modern Hi-fi system have?
That's VERY good!  16-bit digital has a dynamic range of 93 or 96dB (I'm never quite sure)...  But in any case,  -124dB (relative to 0dBFS,) in 16-bit audio is dead-digital silence because it's less than the least significant bit.

 

What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa

Reply #3 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
Quote
If the Xonar has a SNR of 124db, what would an old technics, or even a modern Hi-fi system have?
That's VERY good!  16-bit digital has a dynamic range of 93 or 96dB (I'm never quite sure)...  But in any case,  -124dB (relative to 0dBFS,) in 16-bit audio is dead-digital silence because it's less than the least significant bit.



To the moderators - there are two threads with the same name and different posts!
 

What specifically is the function of a sound card? Are they all the sa

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the info saratoga.