[tonyjang]

Does anyone use a setup similar to this:

PC USB -> Xitel USB -> Analog -> Headphone Amp -> Headphone?

This seems like a good way to get clean sound from the computer/laptop.

 

[lan]

Other better USB options are M-Audio Sonica and M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 USB. A cardbus solution for laptop is the Echo Mia. All are 24bit / 96khz capable. The Mia doesn't have digital output where as the Sonica has optical and the AP24/96 USB has coax.

The best option is to use external DAC w/ Sonica or AP24/96 USB I believe.

 

[waffenschmidt]

I'm using my laptop's USB > mAudio Sonica > Corda HA-1 > Senn HD580s. Music files are mp3s (Lame a p extreme) played with foobar2000.

I haven't done a formal comparison with other sources and don't have a high end source anyway. As I recall there is a very slight loss of detail compared to a decent PCDP as a source (could be either the mp3s or the DAC in the Sonica), but the PC-based source is dead quiet compared to the PCDPs I've heard. I don't have any experience with real high-end systems, but it sounds pretty good to me.

A number of people have indicated this or a similar setup can be improved by feeding an optical output from the USB soundcard to a high quality external DAC. I don't have one, but it makes sense to me.

 

[Wodgy]

Do a search -- there are many, many threads about this. To sum them up, the Xitel USB units have a fairly poor analog sound quality (in particular, virtually no bass below 50-60 Hz). Better analog USB solutions include the Stereo-Link 1200, M-Audio Sonica, and M-Audio USB Audiophile. In general, the M-Audio Sonica is probably the price/performance leader, with the USB Audiophile in second place.

If you're really hardcare about USB sound, you could build something like this:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=35882
Realistically, though, you'll probably be happy with a Sonica.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by waffenschmidt A number of people have indicated this or a similar setup can be improved by feeding an optical output from the USB soundcard to a high quality external DAC. I don't have one, but it makes sense to me.

I have to agree with those *number of people* out there. Don't overlook the DAC. Even the humble mp3 can sound pretty darn good depends on the DAC/digital cable you are using.

I went through a DAC search for my mac set up last year and I was amased at what a difference it can make on bits-missing mp3 files.

Whether optical is depends on the system. i've tried both and ended up with a coax.

 

[blessingx]

I do (see sig). The Sonica wasn't available at the time. If I was shopping now I'd go the M-Audio route, though if the Xitel 25 ft cord is taken into account (I use it with my stereo) the price comparison is a little different depending on how much value you give to it (say about a third of the price).

 

[usc goose]

i use alt.preset.standard -> sony vaio grx560 -> sonica theatre -> 24v meta42 8620 -> headphones

good stuff in my opinion.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I have been known to occasionally...

Sony Vaio -> M-Audio Sonica -> digital out -> MSB Link DAC III -> RKV -> whatever headphone I happen to be listening to at the mo'.