Looking to buy b450 mobo. Not sure which brand delivers best audio. Its hard to find proper review too. I found only one channel on YouTube that tests audio levels and crosschannel leaks. I need front panel to drive 160ohm headphones. Thanks
Posted Nov 23, 2018, 1:22 PM UTC
I would suggest getting an external DAC/Amp instead. There are a bunch of cheap Chinese amps that can deliver insane price/perf in audio. Besides, motherboards usually only use Realtek audio codecs, and they're not that good.
Personally, I paired my AudioQuest NightOwl Carbon with a Topping NX4 DSD on my Asrock AB350 Pro4, while my pal paired his NiceHCK EBX and Toneking TO180 with a Chinese SE4 DAC/Amp with his Asus AB350M Prime (or some board like that), which some reviews have said to be able to drive even a HD800S, so you're safe there. Pretty sure you can find reviews of these, I'll probably link some of them later.
I know it adds a bit more cost over the original mobo price, but I personally feel that it's better to have an external set that you can use not just on your PC, but to other things as well, if you're into audio fidelity. Though that's just my opinion, and you can use onboards if you so want. I'll even leave my review for my NX4 DSD if you want.
EDIT: Here's a detailed review of the NX4 DSD, see if it fits your needs.
Agreed. Even some of the better on-board offerings are adequate at best.
If what OP is interested in is output power, and not quality, a modestly priced headphone amp might work.
Fiio makes cheap, not terrible, headphone amps. OP could look into something like that.
Agree with the Fiio rec, once had the Q1 and tested their new BT amp, the Q2 or something, it sounds decent enough.
But after that, I found Topping, and they provide damn good stuff for relatively cheap, even cheaper than Fiio's at certain models. Took my NX4 DSD, never looked back. It's just great.
Strix, B450 Pro Carbon, Aorus B450 Pro (not sure between these 3) but at this point it's better to get a DAC imo.
B450-F may have same audio solution as X470-F and right now has great sale here. I'd assume that. Other option is to go with MSI for better VRM and get sound card or external dac and amp instead. AE5 also has pretty nice sale.
MSI B450 Carbon has best sound...
Which board has the best sound sub 100
160 Ohms? That's kind of a lot... Why don't you get a sound card?
You won't probably be able to drive 160ohm cans from the front panel as on all the mobos that have an ALC1220 you can only use the amp from the motherboard jack ports, and it makes sense since the front panel probably introduces interference and other stuff. From what I read the ALC 1150 was able to handle max 600Ohm (but being the max limit it probably performs way better with 160 and 200ohm headphones), the ALC1220 is basically a big improvement over it and I've seen many people that drive their Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250Ohm cans without any issue compared to a decent cheap AMP. So yeah, motherboard jacks and ALC1220 is what you have to look for (note: the Asus Strix B350/450 and X370/470 mobos all have a modified ALC1220 which is a bit improved over the reference design)
my x370 aorus gaming 5 claims to have 2 alc1220 one fo rear and one for the front panel. The diference is the bass quantity, little bit louder and that my h440 case has poor front panel shielding and i get some static after a while that solves unpluging the jack.
https://uk.hardware.info/ i found this website to be useful
The better boards will have ALC1220 from Realtek. Check with the manufacturer specs for impedance infos. MSI claims their boards work with 600 ohm headphones.