The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Usb sound card for Swan M200 MKIII

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by waloshin, Jun 8, 2012.

  1. waloshin

    waloshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I am looking for a USB sound card for my MacBook Air so I can get better sound out of Swan M200 MKIII speakers.
     
    waloshin, Jun 8, 2012
    #1
  2. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

    Reputations:
    7,588
    Messages:
    10,023
    Likes Received:
    1,077
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Do you need a soundcard only, or something that has both DAC and Amp functions?

    For SC only, i suggest the turtle beach usb soundcard that should run you about 20$: Amazon.com: Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Amigo II USB Sound Card & Headset Adapter: Electronics

    If you need a DAC/Amp, the FiiO E7 does a pretty good job in the not too expensive range, it isn't the best, but it gets the job done: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Portable...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339164523&sr=1-4. The E10 is also a good buy: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10-USB-...7LG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339164572&sr=8-1.
     
    tijo, Jun 8, 2012
    #2
  3. waloshin

    waloshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The speakers have a built in amp so I would assume all I need is a sound card? I am looking for something that is better than my Macbook airs.

    [​IMG]
     
    waloshin, Jun 8, 2012
    #3
  4. waloshin

    waloshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Would the Filo E17 work as a sound card?
     
    waloshin, Jun 9, 2012
    #4
  5. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

    Reputations:
    7,588
    Messages:
    10,023
    Likes Received:
    1,077
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Yes, but you do not need it as it also serves as a DAC, might be interesting to have one if you have a pair of audiophile headphones you'd want to use with your notebook as well and to be honest, it doesn't take much to have better than the macbooks integrated sound chip.
     
    tijo, Jun 9, 2012
    #5
  6. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

    Reputations:
    1,765
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    546
    Trophy Points:
    131
    The turtle beach micro advantage would work great for what you need. All you need is a DAC(Digital Analog Converter) which is commonly called a 'sound card'

    And tijo is correct, its pretty easy to beat internal sound cards.
     
    Syndrome, Jun 9, 2012
    #6
  7. waloshin

    waloshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    16
    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    waloshin, Jun 11, 2012
    #7
  8. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

    Reputations:
    1,765
    Messages:
    1,501
    Likes Received:
    546
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Those Scarlett Sound cards are actually pretty nice. I wouldn't suggest getting one that big if you didn't need it though.

    Check this out instead: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

    If I were to get another USB sound card that is the one I would get, I've already got an Echo AudioFire2(Firewire) which is very nice, and also a MOTU MicroBook(USB), which sounds good, not as good as the Echo but it has some pretty good EQ/recording software.
     
    Syndrome, Jun 13, 2012
    #8