USB Soundcard (for better quality)

[zephxiii]

Anyone have any recommendations for a USB Soundcard for higher quality DACs than what's in my HTPC Laptop (Thinkpad T520).

I mean eventually i can use the display port audio out to a proper amplifier but I don't have that yet.

So now for music, movies, just would like something with really good DACs. I'm not running a surround setup, just Polk shelf speakers and a sub And something not too expensive lol.

 

[aigomorla]

not too expensive + Quality DAC's is like asking for a cheap Rolex.

If your looking for quality, expect to end up paying more then your laptop's current value.

 

[DigDog]

That lenovo has a weird sound chip .. try playing something high bitrate at max volume .. do you hear any sound imperfections?

 

[Lordhumungus]

Maybe check out the AudioQuest Dragonfly line.

 

[nerp]

Schiit Fulla 2.

You can thank me later.

Worthy every penny. Not expensive. Well made. American company. Perfect for your needs.

 

[zephxiii]

Schiit Fulla 2.

You can thank me later.

Worthy every penny. Not expensive. Well made. American company. Perfect for your needs.

Hmm this looks good, I'm going to give it a go!

 

[sdifox]

What are you using to amplify the signal to drive your speakers?

 

[zephxiii]

lol. I just have an old Logitech THX system whose speakers I kept blowing up so now it's powering a pair of low end Polks from BB that aren't very good at music. That's ok as it's just a hold me over until I get around to building something completely different.

So for now the Fulla 2 is a toy to play around with. Curious to see if it makes any difference with the current setup as I know the output of the T520 is not that great. Ultimately if it doesn't in that situation it definitely will for my T530 at work whose DAC/AMP combo is obviously subpar to my SGS5 and 7 Edge.

 

[sdifox]

lol. I just have an old Logitech THX system whose speakers I kept blowing up so now it's powering a pair of low end Polks from BB that aren't very good at music. That's ok as it's just a hold me over until I get around to building something completely different.

So for now the Fulla 2 is a toy to play around with. Curious to see if it makes any difference with the current setup as I know the output of the T520 is not that great. Ultimately if it doesn't in that situation it definitely will for my T530 at work whose DAC/AMP combo is obviously subpar to my SGS5 and 7 Edge.

that is probably the problem. Your Logitech "THX" system cannot drive the bookshelves properly, leading to clipping, if you keep cranking it, your polk speakers' tweeters will die.

 

[zephxiii]

that is probably the problem. Your Logitech "THX" system cannot drive the bookshelves properly, leading to clipping, if you keep cranking it, your polk speakers' tweeters will die.

OH I'm not having that kind of problem that I could tell. It actually pushes them fairly well. What I meant at not very good at music was related to the freq. response curve being a bit spikey, the tone of them in the mid to kinda high area... odd bright spots. A review of them confirmed that when I went digging around.

The DAC was just to try and provide a more accurate and cleaner signal. I forgot to mention that I kinda get clicks here and there with the onboard sound card.

 

[sdifox]

OH I'm not having that kind of problem that I could tell. It actually pushes them fairly well. What I meant at not very good at music was related to the freq. response curve being a bit spikey, the tone of them in the mid to kinda high area... odd bright spots. A review of them confirmed that when I went digging around.

The DAC was just to try and provide a more accurate and cleaner signal. I forgot to mention that I kinda get clicks here and there with the onboard sound card.

how would a new sound card change the frequency response of the speakers?

edit: googled a bit, apparently there is some issue with that laptop re video card and sound card conflict. bizarre.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T400-T500-and-newer-T/T520-sound-problems/td-p/505693/page/3

 

[zephxiii]

They wouldn't and that's not what I got them for (to correct the speakers). Just wanted a cleaner and better sound card.

At one point in time with a specific driver I was getting bunch of audio jitter with that sound card. Newer driver got rid of it. I think it still clicks every once in a while though.

 

[zephxiii]

So update on this.

I do like my Fulla 2, it does run a touch warm. The main problem was the old Logitech amp I was temporarily using. The tone it was pushing through was very strong in the mids which made them overbearing and harsh, and there wasn't much fidelity. I would imagine because it was tuned to run with the speakers that it was designed for, and cheap. It had the power, just not the quality.

Anyways I've been looking around and finally scored a Onkyo TX-SR606 for 50 bucks in pristine condition with remote and calibration mic! Difference is massive and all my issues are resolved...well except for this:

Comparing the Fulla 2 to the DACs inside the Onkyo (fed via HDMI from laptop), the HDMI feed just has a tiny touch more fidelity to it so wanna use that. The problem is that I've never liked passing vid through a receiver as likely it's only gonna do more harm than any good. And not surprised for that to be the case here as it muddies up the signal a lil.

So what I think i'm going to do is get a docking station (which I'd like anyways). Use one display port for the tv, and use the other one to feed audio to the Onkyo. I think this should work, I'll set the displays to duplicate to keep it simple.

Either that or get a dif soundcard to output digital, which might be needed if the HDMI daughter board isn't 100% good due to bad caps. So if u have any recommendations for that, it's still on the table.

For now the Fulla 2 will hold me over. When it is not needed here it will be perfect for driving headphones at work! Win all around!