Notebook sound?

[GermaniumGenie]

Hi. I am going to college next year (either Michigan or Emory), and I will primarily be using a laptop as my music source. I have an Auzentech X-Meridian with LM4562's on my desktop currently and would like comparable sound on my laptop. What are my options?

Edit: I use unamped Alessandro MS-1's.

 

[MaloS]

E-mu 02 if your laptop supports PCMCIA. No other card mentioned on this forum for PCMCIA matches the sound quality, nor anything you can get for under $200 really. (To those who are going to criticize me - yes I heard everything that's considered best in this price range).

Oh ya, it will be better than X-Meridian xD

Well, E-mu 02 is for $150, if you want to go lower, below $100 you are looking at probably Turtle Beach Audio.

 

[Happy Camper]

USB/firewire connected dac/amp combo. Battery unit will let you listen in classroom. That may require iems though.

 

[GermaniumGenie]

MaloS, better than X-Meridian!? Really?

Happy Camper, do you have any specific suggestions for a USB/firewire connected dac/amp combo that costs under $300. Battery unit would be preferred, though I don't exactly plan on listening in class :-D.

 

[hegemon]

Take a look at:
PORTA CORDA MkIII-USB
or
Headphonia USB DAC Amp

Both are highly regarded.

 

[Happy Camper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermaniumGenie /img/forum/go_quote.gif MaloS, better than X-Meridian!? Really? Happy Camper, do you have any specific suggestions for a USB/firewire connected dac/amp combo that costs under $300. Battery unit would be preferred, though I don't exactly plan on listening in class :-D.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=199941

Didn't show pricing on first post. Good thing I didn't recommend an off-ramp to Benchmark mod. Re-reading my comment on listening in class was not taken as intended. For time allowed, a portable combo will allow you quality listening in various environments. I'm sure you will use your time wisely. Good luck and happy listening.

I was thinking of a Headroom Micro combo but that wouldn't fit your pricing. Perhaps watching the sale forums would catch something closer to acceptable price.

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hegemon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Take a look at: PORTA CORDA MkIII-USB or Headphonia USB DAC Amp Both are highly regarded.

Hehe. This post really made my day again.

 

[lmnsv]

I'm happy with E-mu 0404 USB (it has got headphone amp)

 

[beerad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif E-mu 02 if your laptop supports PCMCIA. No other card mentioned on this forum for PCMCIA matches the sound quality, nor anything you can get for under $200 really. (To those who are going to criticize me - yes I heard everything that's considered best in this price range). Oh ya, it will be better than X-Meridian xD Well, E-mu 02 is for $150, if you want to go lower, below $100 you are looking at probably Turtle Beach Audio.

Where can you get the E-mu 02? I only see it as part of the 1616 or 1616m for 400+? I'd order one right now if I could find it!

TIA