Basically I used to play CD's like that : CD player > preamp mixer > amp > speaker.
Now I want renew my 10 year old system and also switch to FLAC/Foobar/Laptop, but I need to know what soundsystem set-up/config provides the best soundquality?
FLAC > Soundcard > (preamp) > Amp > Speaker ?

What is the most relevant device to spend the money on? I will go step by step, by now I can spend around 450€ ($700). Maybe that eventually I'll play with Ableton, and build a 5.1 home cinema, but at the moment it's only for stereo playback (no recording).
Thanks for enlighting me and pardoning me my noobiness

A Squeezebox or similar device might be a good solution. One of the advantages is that you can keep noisy computers away from the listening area.

Otherwise you could get a good external sound card and just connect the analogue outputs to your preamp.

I think I'll go for the second option.
My problem now is that I don't have an idea about what makes a good soundcard, on what I should base my opinion, what criterias.
I also don't have an idea about what brands and models I should look into, any idea?

Perhaps look into an external DAC, one that connects to a computer via USB.

In what it is better to an external soundcard, I'm asking about an external soundcard.

Opinions vary, some say external is a must as it is the only way to shield the DAC from the electrical noise of a PC.
Others say that a good internal soud card performs as well at a fraction of the cost.
Personally I prefer a USB DAC being the most flexible solution

So basically you are recommending to connect a DAC to my computer and preamp? I even don't know how it looks like. What does a DAC do appart from converting digital to analog sounds?

Well I should mention that I am using a laptop, so that currently using an onboard soundcard.

Any idea of a website that reviews external soundcards and such?

That's exactly what is does



Maybe this link is of use: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/connect.html

OK thanks, but with say I'll go for a DAC, I will still need to get a proper sound card right?
So I'd rather choose the external soundcard system. Can you recommend me some models?

Depends, if you go for a USB DAC you don't need any sound card at all, you connect the DAC to the USB so the DAC is the sound card
If you go for a conventional DAC you need a card with a digital out (S/PDIF).
You might Google the brands, find some reviews, but before you spend your money on a DAC, the biggest improvement in sound quality is in general getting a better pair of speakers.

Ah ok! But now what's the difference between an external USB soundcard and a USB DAC ? Isn't it finally the same thing?

By the way I'm especially after a soundcard because:
1. Limited budget 450€
2. My current soundcard is slowly dying (see http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....howtopic=62388)
3. My travelling quite a lot, a will move out to another city in the couple of month

I still don't if I will go for 5.1 soundsystem or only 2 regular speakers, but what solution it able to handle both solutions?

An USB DAC is just for audio output. DAC = Digital to Analog Converter
An USB Soundcard also includes an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter - for Mic, Line In, S/PDIF In) and MIDI Ports.

If your Laptop soundcard is dying, then I would get an USB Soundcard. Even if you aren't using the recording fuction now, you never know if you will need it (Just think about Skype, Teamspeak, ripping a vinyl record, ...). The EMU 0404 gets a lot of praise here and I personaly have good experience with the M-Audio Audiophile USB. Other choices are Edirol UA-1 or Griffin Powerwave. They all fit easily in your budget. If you want to go real cheap, then there is also stuff like the Behringer UCA-202 U-Control or even cheaper stuff like SPEED-LINK UltraPortable Audio Card.

A 5.1 setup isn't very portable. A good subwoofer is huge. When you are traveling a lot, then this might become inconveniant very quickly. I got a quiet good 2.1 setup, but I prefer most good circumaural headphone over it.

Thank you very much for your answer.

In fact the solution I'm looking must
1. Be easily portable for travelling (I'm using headphones), and work as a temporary replacement for my current fautly soundcard
2. Be good enough to deliver quality sound when I will buy high-end speakers and be set in my new place. Hence my question about 5.1 setups.

If an external soundcard can rip vinyl records and not USB DAC's, then that's definitely something I'll take into account given my collection!

Thanks for the card recommendations, I'll look into it.

Just one point from the procurement point of view:

If you get a good USB soundcard now, you fix your immediate problem of dying on-board sound, and you also don't have to worry about a soundcard for future computers. So you can buy something good, and buy once. It seems you can get something really good for your budget.

Have fun

I would just like to mention that if you plan on getting the Emu 0404, it was available for around $140 earlier this year, but now the price has jumped to $180-200. I'm looking for a store that still sells it at the better price, but I haven't had any luck.

Also, does the Emu 0404 work 5.1 setups?

Not a solution for the vinyl, but as a portable and input from the laptop to your current system I would sugets a Total Bithead. I have switched to a PC source at home and the office, fortunately I used separates and have some very nice external DACs; a CAL Sigma at the office and a PS Audio Digital link for home so the cut over to PC based was easy for me. I am saving my pennies for the BitHead as my travel/mobile solution