Best possible USB/PCMCIA soundcard for my laptop??

[chodecz]

Hi guys,

I purchased some high-end hifi headphones along with an amp to be run off my laptop (as well as other things), but the sound is crap out of my laptop!! I have a fairly new Toshiba Satellite P105 with a cr*ppy Intel HD sound card.

Looks like I'll have to buy a USB/PCMCIA sound card! I've been recommended these companies from the headphone forum: Turtle Beach, M-Audio, Echo Digital Audio.

My budget is around $100 USD. I want it as cheap as poss, so don't mind 2nd hand eBay products. I saw some M-Audio Transit USB ones go quite cheap on eBay recently.

What do you guys recommend?? Like the title say, I want the best possible sound.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

[oynaz]

M-Audio makes equipment for musicians, so the you will pay for good recording performance with the M-Audio soundcard.

 

[chodecz]

Just recording performance and not sound output??

 

[Skitzer]

Get one of these:
Audigy 2NX
I have one for sale for $70 shipped

 

[LouPoir]

Audigy2 NX would be the way to go.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: LouPoir
Audigy2 NX would not be the way to go.

Corrected.

M-Audio Transit $80 shipped

The DAC and line out in the Transit is superior to the Audigy. It also outputs bit perfect ASIO at 24/96 and has optical out.

 

[corkyg]

I can't argue against the Transit, but I have used the Audigy 2NX now for over a year with my laptop via USB. It has all the ports I need for sound repro, recording and playing. I have used it to convert 100s of reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, and LP records to CDRs and DVDs. It's compact size and handy remote control make it extremely easy to use.

2NX

BTW - it is not seemly to change other people's words in a quote that then becomes a non-quote.

 

[oynaz]

M-Audio generally has both good output and input, but there is no reason to pay money for good recording capabilities if you do not use the. That being said, an M-audio card might still be a good buy.

 

[corkyg]

M-Audio Transit is a good buy - but compared to the 2NX, is rather limited in ports and choices.

M-Audio Transit Specs:
line/mic in
dynamic range: 100dB (typical, -60dB input, A-weighted)
signal-to-noise ratio: 100dB (typical, A-weighted)
THD+n: 0.00316% (typical)
maximum input voltage: +6dBV
line out
dynamic range: 104dB (typical, -60dB input, A-weighted)
signal-to-noise ratio: 104dB (typical, A-weighted)
thd+n: 0.00316% (typical)
maximum output voltage: 0dBV
size/weight: 2-1/4? X 3-5/8? X 1?; 0.1 lbs.
---------------------------------------------------
Audigy 2NX Specs:
output mode: 7.1 channel surround
MIDI Synthesis Method: Wavetable
Max Speakers Qty: 8
Notable features: Mute button; EAX ADVANCED HD; Creative Multi Speaker Surround (CMSS)
Port(s):
1 Hi-Speed USB Line-in:4 pin USB Type B,
1 Audio Input:Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 Microphone SPDIF input:Mini-phone 3.5 mm,
1 Audio Line-out/headphones:TOS Link,
1 Audio SPDIF output:Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 Audio Line-out:TOS Link,
1 Audio Line-out (rear):Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 Audio Line-out (center/subwoofer):Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 Audio SPDIF output:Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 Audio RCA

 

[John]

Originally posted by: corkyg
BTW - it is not seemly to change other people's words in a quote that then becomes a non-quote.

That practice has been going on for years, and when it is done it is supposed to be in good humor. However my smiley failed to appear at the end of my one word sentence.

corkyg, to clarify the Transit ports in greater detail:

[*]stereo analog/optical digital input (1/8")
[*]stereo line/headphone output (1/8")
[*]TOSlink optical digital output allows AC-3 and DTS pass-through

The Audigy 2 NX was designed to be a multi-channel all-in-one external card. If the OP is looking for a unit aimed at audiophiles, more compact, less driver bloat, newer technology, and cheaper (in price) than the Audigy 2 nx he should consider the transit. Just my .02 cents

 

[chodecz]

Thanks guys! Advice much appreciated.

I wish the Transit had a nice remote like the Audigy!

I'm going to go for th Transit, like John says I am looking for the latest tech. and best SQ. I'll be running headphones and 2.1 speaker setup, and maybe doing some recordings occasionally. Looks like the Transit is for me

Thanks again.

Edit: Found this on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/M-Audio-transit-USB...4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would it be hard/expensive to get the USB cable??

 

[John]

The Transit uses a standard A/B usb cable and you can pick them up for a few bucks.

http://www.m-audio.com/images/en/callouts/big/transit.jpg

Here's the cable: http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ...1030301&p_id=164&seq=1&format=2&style=