[Dez O]

Hey, Head-Fi. I need some advice: Currently, I'm using a pair of Alessandro MS-1's via the headphone port on a PowerBook G4, but I'm being offered what I believe to be a good deal on an M-Audio FireWire Solo at £50.

Do you guys think that this'll give a drastic improvement over the internal sound card, or that I'll just regret having spent all my money?

Or, would a headphone amp or something else be a better bet? (the laptop already goes louder than I can listen to without damaging myself - doesn't that make an amp unnecessary?)

Many thanks, Dez.

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

the laptop already goes louder than I can listen to without damaging myself - doesn't that make an amp unnecessary?)

No. It's about control, not volume. A cheap Midi system with Jamo PA speakers can go louder than some Hi-Fi systems, but the latter will sound better. I have never been impressed with onboard sound on laptops, so the M-Audio will probably be a upgrade. Does it also have a headphone amp stage too?

 

[Dez O]

I reckon so - it's got a volume dial next to the headphone out.
Would I be right in thinking that if the sound going into an amp from the laptop is no good, what's coming out of it won't be either?

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

Would I be right in thinking that if the sound going into an amp from the laptop is no good, what's coming out of it won't be either?

Correct. Crap in, crap out. A headphone amp may drive the phones better, but if the onboard analogue out sounds lousy you're not getting the full potential of the phones.

 

[Dez O]

Cool, looks like I'll be going for the FireWire box.

Cheers for the help, man.