External sound card or amplifier

When headphones are plugged directly into my current laptop, there is an audible static noise(regardless of something is playing or not). I have a cheap ($40) speaker system that has a volume control. When I turn the volume control to around 80% on the speaker system(that is attached to the laptop) and then plug in the headphones, there is no static. This is not very portable, so I'm looking for an alternative. I am currently looking at Amazon.com: Pyle-Pro PHA40 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier: Electronics

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

I'd be more inclined to think that the static noise is a created by your soundcard and that at higher volume, the static noise is just droned out by the rest of the signal. You might want to invest in a DAC instead.

If you don't need an AMP, you could go for a USB soundcard like this one: Amazon.com: Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Amigo II USB Sound Card & Headset Adapter: Electronics.

This is will serve as both a DAC and an AMP: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10-USB-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1338051459&sr=1-1, I have this one to serve and both an AMP and DAC to go with my M50 and HD25-1 II: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E7-Porta...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1338051703&sr=1-1, gets the job of bypassing the so-so onboard sound done on an older laptop.

 

You get this noise because your headphones are low impedance, and they are passive. Your speakers are active, so they don't rely on the amplifier in the headphone port to power them.

Pick up a Turtle Beach Micro and it will fix your problems. Generally the most important upgrade you can do to your notebook's sound quality is just get the DAC outside of the notebook.

 

I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks, guys!

 

You should also keep in mind that there is a noise inherent with all electronic devices. The level of noise is typically dependent on the quality of ALL your equipment.

Also don't forget that getting sound require a "system" of components, and they all have to work together in harmony for you to get the quality output that you desire. Does your computer also have HDMI or optical outputs?

 

I have HDMI and VGA ports. The noise is apparent in all of the headphones I have tried: Studio Beats, Razer Electras, standard iPod headphones, and Audio-Technica M50s.

 

How close is the headphone jack located to the HDD? Are you using a platter HDD or a SSD? In most of my situations it seemed the HDD was the culprit for most of the noise.

 

The hard drive is right next to the headphone jack. I'll try booting from a flash drive and see if that helps.

What is the difference between the Micro and Amigo?

 

Its possible but unlikely. Like I said, noise is inherent to any electronic device. However, in this case we have no idea what could be causing it without knowing the OP, completely setup and how he operates it.

For all we know he could have some other device sitting next to it that's causing the interference? Therefore, you need to spell all of this out OP for a more thorough diagnosis.

In any event, it can sometimes take a thorough investigation--even when you have the equipment right in front of you--to find the problem. Any link in the chain can induce some noise.

 

It can be very very possible. I can hear when my HDD spools up and all that when I use most notebooks that are set up in that configuration. I know there are other things that will create noise as well, thats why the most simple and important thing you can do is get the sound card OUT side of the notebook.

 

The noise is a little quieter without the HDD but not much. I've tried removing all electronic devices away from the laptop, taking the battery out and running solely on AC, and removing the optical drive. If anyone has any more suggestions, I'd be happy to try them.

@Syndrome, why did you recommend the TB Micro over the TB Amigo?

 

The micro does SPDIF as well, but has no mic connector, the amigo has a mic jack as well, but i don't think it does SPDIF.

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/sound-cards/audio-advantage-micro-ii.aspx
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/sound-cards/audio-advantage-amigo-ii.aspx

 

Err, I've got very low impedance earphones. 16 ohm. I've not encountered any such hiss. What is it that makes you think the noise is due to the impedance of the headphones?

 

Impedance and sensitivity contribute to hiss. In most cases with low impedance you will get it, but occasionally headphones with low impedance wont have high sensitivity(My old Custom Westone ES3X were such headphones) and they will escape the hiss.

gkrules: The reason I suggest the micro is because its the model I've had personal experience with.

 

As to sensitivity, they are fairly sensitive, 126db/mw. I've got Sennheiser IE80's, how did you like your ES3X's?

 

I absolutely loved them, I've never heard a headphone that sounded like they did, thats even considering full sized cans. Not to say that some didn't sound better, but nothing sounded the 'same' as the ES3X. And they never distorted, even when pushing the bass down to 15 hz. I no longer have them because I have stopped using IEM's all-together.