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Looking for ways to improve onboard audio. Help?

post #1 of 11
10/14/11 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 

I think the onboard sound on my laptop is pretty terrible and I was just wondering if you guys have any good ideas for improving it? I'm not sure if a headphone amp is the best way to go, so I'm not sure this is the right place to ask... I was thinking maybe a high quality USB soundcard. Do you know any good makes or models for USB soundcards?

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post #2 of 11
10/15/11 at 1:22am

The Asus Xonar U3 (USB) is only $40.

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post #3 of 11
10/15/11 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 

and that will provide quality audio for my laptop you figure?

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post #4 of 11
10/15/11 at 8:44am

High quality usb sound card, that would be the Centrance Dacport. It's nice and small for you to throw in your laptop bag, comes with an amp, and only cost $399.99. Very much worth it.

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post #5 of 11
10/15/11 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 

Thank you for your input but that solution is a bit pricey for me.

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post #6 of 11
10/15/11 at 10:52am

What headphones are you using? If you get an external DAC, you will need something that amps as well. Many external USB DACs will do that for you, and be adequate for most headphones. You have to be careful of output impedance and power, depending on your headphones.

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post #7 of 11
10/15/11 at 11:04am

How much can you spend?

 

 

I'm listening to the Hifiman HM-101 as of writing this, it's a new USB DAC/Amp with pretty decent sound quality, very fresh, open and accurate, just a tiny bit narrow and lean, as is to be expected for the price.

 

 

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post #8 of 11
10/15/11 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Head Injury View Post

What headphones are you using? If you get an external DAC, you will need something that amps as well. Many external USB DACs will do that for you, and be adequate for most headphones. You have to be careful of output impedance and power, depending on your headphones.



I'm running Grado SR80i's and Technics SB200's through a Marantz 2235b. I don't think the Grado's require amping so is that really an issue?

 

 

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post #9 of 11
10/15/11 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiteki View Post

How much can you spend?

 

 

I'm listening to the Hifiman HM-101 as of writing this, it's a new USB DAC/Amp with pretty decent sound quality, very fresh, open and accurate, just a tiny bit narrow and lean, as is to be expected for the price.

 

 



I would say I'd probably like to keep it down to $100, MAYBE $150. I don't need perfect sound, just a major improvement over this terrible soundcard.

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post #10 of 11
10/15/11 at 12:18pm

 

If you're already using a good vintage integrated stereo receiver then you don't need a DAC/Amp you just need a high quality DAC.

 

What sound-card do you have? Is it a laptop or desktop? Are you running speakers from the Marantz or just headphones? I think the HM-101 works well by itself but it doesn't serve my receiver->speakers very well.

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post #11 of 11
10/15/11 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiteki View Post

 

If you're already using a good vintage integrated stereo receiver then you don't need a DAC/Amp you just need a high quality DAC.

 

What sound-card do you have? Is it a laptop or desktop? Are you running speakers from the Marantz or just headphones? I think the HM-101 works well by itself but it doesn't serve my receiver->speakers very well.



I have whatever soundcard comes standard in $600 toshiba laptops. I run speakers from the Marantz, and headphones straight from my laptop.

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