Hydrogenaudio Forums > USB/FW400,800/PCMCIA soundcard recommedations

Full Version: USB/FW400,800/PCMCIA soundcard recommedations

Hydrogenaudio Forums > CD-R and Audio Hardware > Audio Hardware

kritip

Mar 22 2006, 17:38

I have a Powerbook G4 1.25 that was released before optical output was avaliable on the powerbook range.

I like to use the s-video out and hook it up to a 5.1 setup in the living room, and a friends, but the analog audio isn't cutting it.

I really want a device, be it USB, FireWire (400 or 800) or PCMCIA that allows good quality digital out (coax and optical if poss, some friends only have one or the other). Any recording ability would be a bonus.

Obviously it needs to be OSX compatible.

ANy ideas??

I have looked at the M-Audio Transit, which seems ok, but it only apears to have optical digital, am i correct in that thinking? Price is OK, but i also hear M-Audio can be a bit bad with their drivers.

The Creative Labs Audigy ZS PCMCIA aldo only offers optical outs, and crucially doesn't seem to have OSX support

It's price is also OK

Are there any other options out there, or am a really stuck with the limitations of the M-Audio Transit??

Cheers for your input

Kristian

phildow

Jun 13 2006, 17:58

i have the same dilemma, except i'm on a Windows XP machine.

I would appreciate some feedback from people. I'm looking for either a PCMCIA or USB sound card.

I've seen (online) the Philips Aurilium and I'm considering getting that one.

I hope this gets some replies soon.

Teej a.k.a T-Dj

Jun 13 2006, 18:58

I have both the SB Audigy PCMCIA and the M-Audio Firewire 410.

The PCMCIA does have three stereo analog 1/8" outs (7.1 capable) supplied by a breakout cable along with the optical out you mentioned which can double as a headphone out. Being Creative though, the drivers just blow, don't plan on doing any kind of music creation with that card. Terrible ASIO drivers.

The Firewire 410 however is a great sound interface! 8 analog outs, can do full 7.1 from a movie, and it's got both Optical and S/PDIF out that can pass through PCM, AC-3 and DTS. The drivers at least from my experience on the PC are very solid, plus it's got the two XLR/1/4" ins on the front and two independent headphone outs.

HotshotGG

Jun 13 2006, 22:20

QUOTE

The Creative Labs Audigy ZS PCMCIA aldo only offers optical outs, and crucially doesn't seem to have OSX support It's price is also OK

That doesn't come as a surprise. Look into Firewire as was suggested.

QUOTE

I have looked at the M-Audio Transit, which seems ok, but it only apears to have optical digital, am i correct in that thinking? Price is OK, but i also hear M-Audio can be a bit bad with their drivers.

Not from some folks I know and my own personal experiences.

CSMR

Jun 14 2006, 23:00

QUOTE(kritip @ Mar 22 2006, 15:38)

I like to use the s-video out and hook it up to a 5.1 setup in the living room, and a friends, but the analog audio isn't cutting it.

I really want a device, be it USB, FireWire (400 or 800) or PCMCIA that allows good quality digital out (coax and optical if poss, some friends only have one or the other). Any recording ability would be a bonus.

I have looked at the M-Audio Transit, which seems ok, but it only apears to have optical digital, am i correct in that thinking? Price is OK, but i also hear M-Audio can be a bit bad with their drivers.

First you have to decide whether you want 5.1 or stereo. The transit is stereo. (Though I remember there was an option for DTS passthrough or something like that.) The drivers are fine and there are drivers for the mac.

PoisonDan

Jun 15 2006, 01:47

On a related note, I plan to buy the M-Audio Firewire Audiophile (I need a multichannel card for Traktor DJ Studio on my laptop). Does anybody of you have any experience with this card?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Fire...phile-main.html

BTW, I can buy it much cheaper than the $349.95 MSRP...

ChangFest

Jun 16 2006, 08:20

QUOTE(kritip @ Mar 22 2006, 15:38)

The Transit has optical and analog outputs. The Transit is not 5.1, but 2 channel.

CSMR

Jun 18 2006, 01:00

It is quite rare for DACs/receivers/etc. to have coaxial but not optical. If you really do need both and cant find a sound card you can use a monarchy dip or something similar.

Sebastian Mares

Jun 18 2006, 01:14

QUOTE(ChangFest @ Jun 16 2006, 16:20)

The Transit is not 5.1, but 2 channel.

But can't you transmit 5.1 over the digital output?

QUOTE

The digital output can deliver AC-3 and DTS from your computer to an external decoder such as a surround receiver.

RIV@NVX

Jun 18 2006, 03:30

How about AudioTrak Maya 44 USB?

I have AudioTrak Maya EX7, which is similar to it, and I'm very satisfied with it. Maya EX7 doesn't support OS X (works nice in Linux, though), which rules it out immediately. Maya 44 USB has OS X drivers.

They both have optical output, from what I see.

probedb

Jun 19 2006, 07:04

Wow, someone had the same question as me

Does anyone use headphones with their USB soundcards? I have tried a couple with my Westone UM-2s and the noise level is unacceptable to me......the UM-2s are rather sensitive. I'm after very low background hiss if at all possible....what are those Audiotrak items like for background noise?

Cheers

ChangFest

Jun 19 2006, 15:19

QUOTE(Sebastian Mares @ Jun 17 2006, 23:14)

But can't you transmit 5.1 over the digital output?

Yes you can. I've owned one for 2 years and never knew that. My bad.

Lyx

Jun 19 2006, 15:24

QUOTE(ChangFest @ Jun 19 2006, 23:19)

QUOTE(Sebastian Mares @ Jun 17 2006, 23:14)

But can't you transmit 5.1 over the digital output?

Yes you can. I've owned one for 2 years and never knew that. My bad.

So, let me clarify that just to be certain: With the transit, i could (via the digital out) send the 5.1 signal of a DVD or AC3-including XVID-Movie to a receiver which can decode DTS and AC3? Is this correct?

I'm asking because i am planning to buy an external soundcard, and the transit is the only one which fits my size- and feature-requirements... but i want to be able to use 5.1 for movies.

sTisTi

Jun 20 2006, 05:53

QUOTE(Lyx @ Jun 19 2006, 23:24)

I've never tried this with mine because I don't have a surround receiver, but M-Audio Transit's website explicitly says:

QUOTE

The digital output can deliver AC-3 and DTS from your computer to an external decoder such as a surround receiver.

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