D
Deleted member 24505
Guest
100% true, it is overkill at this point.
Here's the thing though, it was ~20% more than used STX II or same price as new Creative AE7 or used NuAudio card (the only other options for me for the same or higher sound quality vs. Essence ST I own now). Since I also wanted line-in for external PC use (and microphone), a plain DAC was a no-go for me.
XLR is just great option when I will be looking for new microphone. MIDI port might get used as X2 Dreamblaster (or MT32) output directly
Additionally, USB external audio interface means one less PCI-e device that get's heated up by and heats CPU/GPU combo (but this is shared with USB DACs).
I'm using a Cambridge audio USB DAC, is good enough for me and i don't need MIDI or XLR.