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Topic: Choosing a DAC or External Soundcard (Read 2373 times) previous topic - next topic
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Choosing a DAC or External Soundcard

This topic has been addressed on the forums a bit already but I am not satisfied with the information I found. I'm hoping someone can help me out.

Right now I am on a notebook (Thinkpad T61) and looking for a solution for external sound. I am trying to pick out a USB DAC or a consumer external soundcard. I am leaning toward the DAC options right now because this will be used only to listen to music (my files vary in quality) and maybe an occasional DVD. I do not play games and so do not need fancy distortion or deceptive effects.  I want impressive high quality output, but I am not quite an audiophile.

I plan on using these M-Audio AV 40 speakers.

I would like to go as low as I can go on price without sacrificing much quality. Something under $100 would be nice but going over $100 is acceptable if it makes a huge difference.
RCA output would be nice but not necessary. If I can get something without line-in and recording features to save a few bucks that would be a great too. I might take portability into consideration.

This is what I've looked at so far:
Asus Xonar U1 (I found great reviews after much digging)
M-Audio Transit
E-MU 0202
Behringer UCA202
Echo Indigo (I don't want to spend the $160 price but if the quality difference is really significant I'll get it)
I'm not gonna bother with Creative X-Fi products.

Can anyone offer more suggestions or dismiss one of the above options? Would any of the above be overkill?

Choosing a DAC or External Soundcard

Reply #1 –
Given the very good rules on this forum I cannot claim product superiority.  But I think that this guy's models :

http://www.diykits.com.hk/

Are very good.  The Citypulse with the USB input or the Zhaolu with a Coax/Tosklink to USB converter are worth the little bit more you will pay (in my very unscientific opinion).  Great fellow to deal with and a product that is reliable and does what it is supposed to do. 

- Jason
 

Choosing a DAC or External Soundcard

Reply #2 –
Thanks for the tipoff. I hadn't looked at those before, but those products are definitely beyond what I need and also out of my price range.