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Topic: USB soundcard - some questions (Read 3847 times) previous topic - next topic
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USB soundcard - some questions

Hi,
I am planning to buy an M-Audio Transit USB soundcard for use with both a desktop and a Laptop computer, but have still some questions regarding its non-audio quality performance, so to speak (the audio quality performance seems to be quite good from what I read).
My main concern is possible problems with stuttering playback when doing other tasks on the computer like surfing the web, encoding MP3s or burning CDs etc. Can this cause stuttering playback, or is this a non-issue and only ever happens if you stress your computer really, really hard. Because I'd really hate it if I get clicks or skips in playback everytime I open a new web page or jump to a different folder. This would be a sufficient reason for me not to purchase it, but I have zero experience with USB audio hardware and can't really assess this issue. So what are your experiences?

The desktop PC is an AMD64 2800+, MSI K8T-Neo, 1GB RAM, Win2k SP4, Samsung 160GB ATA HD

The laptop is not yet bought, but the music will probably be played from an external USB hard disk. Will this aggravate possible stuttering problems due to the USB=>laptop=>USB route, or is this also a non-issue?

Another question: The only shop I found that sells it in Germany wants 79 EUR (free shipping) for it. Does anyone know a cheaper source?
Thanks!
Proverb for Paranoids: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."
-T. Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #1 –
I've owned a Transit for about 6 months. I use it on an aging p4 2.8 Abit ic7-g board with 1gb memory. The only problems I've ever had with it stuttering are when using ASIO with low latency and stressing the computer out really hard. I run all of my music off of an external HD via USB 2.0 though. I've only ever experienced stutter while writing or reading massive amounts of data from the USB HD. I just up the latency when using ASIO to avoid stuttering. If you're music is local you should not have any problems considering your setup as stated. It's a great card and has served me well. Hope that helps.

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #2 –
You can always increase the playback buffer if you run into issues.

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #3 –
No problems when I used it, and no need for asio I think (bit-perfect without it).

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #4 –
OK, thanks for your input, I think I'll go for it.

One more question: Can I plug my headphones (Sennheiser HD 600, 300 Ohm) directly into the soundcard, or do I need a headphone amp? What would happen if I don't use a headphone amp? Will the sound quality decrease, or will the output just be more quiet (I don't listen that loud anyway)?
I also have a decent analog Sony receiver (GX 511) with a headphone out, would it make sense to connect the headphone out of the sound card to the line-in of the receiver and use its headphone-out instead?

Thanks!
Proverb for Paranoids: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."
-T. Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #5 –
I can tell you, I havd 250ohm Beyers and you really want some amping behind it, otherwise it will sound pretty weak and thin.

Scott

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #6 –
Quote
I can tell you, I havd 250ohm Beyers and you really want some amping behind it, otherwise it will sound pretty weak and thin.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=310686"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

So would the route via the receiver be OK? Or wouldn't this work as intended and a headphone amp is mandatory?
Proverb for Paranoids: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."
-T. Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #7 –
Quote
Quote
I can tell you, I havd 250ohm Beyers and you really want some amping behind it, otherwise it will sound pretty weak and thin.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=310686"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

So would the route via the receiver be OK? Or wouldn't this work as intended and a headphone amp is mandatory?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=310720"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Anyone? I looked up some info on headphone amps, and most of them were reaaally expensive, so I'd like to make sure if I really need one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my receiver also seems to have some sort of headphone amp "integrated", otherwise I couldn't use the Sennheisers on it, right? My guess is that this integrated amp is probably worse than a "real" standalone headphone amp, but I doubt that it is totally crappy either as the receiver (Sony STR-GX 511) cost about 400 EUR after all. Or would I really lose any benefit of the M-Audio card when going this route?
Proverb for Paranoids: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."
-T. Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #8 –
If you spent the $ on Sennheiser 600's do yourself a favor and get a headphone amp.

Your ears will thank you.

Even if your amp cost a bundle, I guarantee the headphone output still won't be as good as a dedicated headphone amp.

Checkout stuff on headphone.com
 

USB soundcard - some questions

Reply #9 –
Thanks for all your help! I have ordered the M-Audio Transit and will do some reading on headphone amps.
Proverb for Paranoids: "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers."
-T. Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)