[SV_huMMer]

I want to buy a cheap and small external USB audio solution to add to my workplace PC. No need for extreme audiophile quality. Sole use - to power easy-to-drive AKG K55 to listen to some CDs and (mainly) MP3s of varying quality at work. Internal soundcard is not an option, as I don't want to mess around with opening a workplace PC.

Price range - the closer to zero the better

I really don't want to invest much. All I need is to get rid of the ALC650 on-board SC crappy sound, when you hear your mouse moving, your HDD reading stuff and your etherned sending-receiving packets

So far, my options are:

1) Audiotrak OptoPlay (http://www.audiotrak.net/optoplay.htm), 70$ in my village

2) M-Audio Sonica (http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=438), discontinued, but still sold out for 75$

3) M-Audio Transit (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...sit-main.html), in production, 100$, may well be an overkill, as I really don't need the input functionality, and that's about the max I'm willing to pay.

4) TurtleBeach Audio Advantage Micro (http://www.tbeach.com/site/products/audioadvantage/), 30$, very attractive in terms of price and size, but no idea about the sound.

Did I miss anything?

What would U recommend?

 

[labrat]

Deleted.

 

[jar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by labrat Connected through a good amp differentiating between this and the Overture DAC would be very difficult, if possible at all!

I find this extremely hard to believe. I haven't heard the TBAAM. (Technically, I haven't heard the Overture, but I've heard the MicroDAC, which is pretty much the same thing) But, if you can get sound the equal of the Overture/MicroDAC for $30 I'd be ridiculously shocked.

 

[labrat]

Deleted.

 

[Icy006]

I own and use the TBAAM. It's a great little gadget. But I find myself only using it for optical output.

The analog out beats the pants off my laptop - but even my Zen Micro edges it out.

I've recently heard a Headroom Micro DAC (same as Overture) at a Boston meet - and let me tell you, it STOMPS ALL OVER the TBAAM. They just aren't in the same league, nor were they meant to be - and it shows.

p.s. Note, I was using my maxed PIMETA amp to test. Something like a micro amp or CMoy will not make the difference as obvious.

 

[SV_huMMer]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Sadly, I've just discovered that TBAAM is not available in Moscow at all. None. Zero. Niente! Very disappointing, as it seems exactly what I needed

So, crossed out.

Another one crossed out is M-Audio Sonica. I've read a couple of reviews and it reveals that it's really weak in the headphone powering department.

Basicly, I'm left with Audiotrak OptoPlay (readily available in Moscow, prices vary form 65 to 70 bucks). The M-Audio Transit is still a bit overpriced and overfeature-rich for the intended use, so it drops out of competition.

The OptoPlay was given some rather nice reviews (http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=249 as an example). Uses the same DAC as the M-Audio's Sonica, but has more power to headphones, is smaller, cheaper, and fully P&P under XP.

Anyone has experience with this little thing? Comments MUCH appreciated, as the trip to the store is scheduled for tomorrow.

Oh, and the most important Q: does an external USB card GUARANTEE me against hearing all the PC components' activity in the cans? I mean this ugly interferences typical for cheap onboard codecs???

 

[Icy006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV_huMMer Oh, and the most important Q: does an external USB card GUARANTEE me against hearing all the PC components' activity in the cans? I mean this ugly interferences typical for cheap onboard codecs???

If you're plugging some USB card right next to your system it may have interference. If you're using a usb cable to move it away a little bit, it should be protected. Interference on the cable itself can only mess with the digital signal, and if it's within spec, it will sound just like there was no interference.

It's analog signals that are susceptible.

 

[SV_huMMer]

Thanks! Looks like OptoPlay will not suffer. It has a hard-wired extension cable, so it won't be sticking right out of the mobo. And yes, it gets digital stream from the PC... So, I'll probably go for it!