[Q] How do you read audio specs!?

[irlwizard]

There are so many audio specs but not a lot of reviews online that go into detail on what each setting actually means...

I want to compare external sound cards or whatever they are called...
https/www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Essence_III/
vs
https/www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_One_MUSES_Edition/
vs
https/www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_STU/
vs
https/www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/mayflower-custom-products/desktop-objective2-with-odac/

Can someone please compare the four products for me and like let me know if one has a diverse feature that the other doesn't e.g. support for both desktop and TV (one might support both at the same time, I have no idea)? My PC is used in the living room as a home-entertainment-system, if you will...

 

[jFiveNYC]

What will you be connecting to the audio interface, TV speakers headphones or a home theater receiver?

 

[irlwizard]

Mostly headphones. Speakers the rest of the time. Why would I need one of those amps anyway if I hypothetically have something like an Onkyo receiver?

 

[jFiveNYC]

Mostly headphones. Speakers the rest of the time. Why would I need one of those amps anyway if I hypothetically have something like an Onkyo receiver?

Does your computer and the Onkyo receiver both have HDMI? If yes, run the HDMI from the PC to the Onkyo. HDMI v1.3 will carry digital audio to the receiver and the receiver will act as the DAC. That would free up money for some nice wireless headphone. The Sennheiser RS170 kit is nice.