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    Best USB Sound Card

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lumberbunny, Nov 27, 2006.

  1. lumberbunny

    lumberbunny Notebook Evangelist

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    It's pretty easy to find reviews and opinions on the Creative cards, but what about other manufacturers like M-Audio? On the subject of Creative, what's the difference between the Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit External and the Creative USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX? Is the Audigy even still available? I've read that the USB 1.1 used in the Live! has some limitation, but couldn't find details. Can anyone elaborate?

    Thanks
     
    lumberbunny, Nov 27, 2006
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  2. skywalker

    skywalker Business Notebook FTW!!

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    Why don't you choose Audigy PCMCIA version instead of USB version.
    I think Creative USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX is better than Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit External as it is an old product...cmiiw
     
    skywalker, Nov 27, 2006
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  3. yan

    yan Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry for hijacking this thread, but speaking of soundcards, what's the word on express card soundcards? Are they coming out any time soon?
     
    yan, Nov 27, 2006
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  4. lumberbunny

    lumberbunny Notebook Evangelist

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    Becuase I don't have a PCMCIA adapter, which leads to another very relevant question:

     
    lumberbunny, Nov 27, 2006
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  5. skywalker

    skywalker Business Notebook FTW!!

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    Not sure it will release soon. No news about that at least now.
     
    skywalker, Nov 28, 2006
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  6. ChangFest

    ChangFest Notebook Consultant

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    What are you looking for in a USB soundcard? If you want a card for gaming, go with Creative. If you want a card for music, M-Audio offers great USB cards. I own the Transit USB, and it's a great card. If you're looking for a mobile recording solution via USB, the sky's the limit. There really isn't a "best" USB card, as that distinction requires you to tell us what you want to actually use it for.
     
    ChangFest, Nov 28, 2006
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  7. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If you want a inexpensive no frills USB sound card, look at the Philips Aurilium, I have it and it was a good $40 spent.
     
    coriolis, Nov 28, 2006
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  8. lumberbunny

    lumberbunny Notebook Evangelist

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    That's a good point. Gaming, movies, music, something with 5.1, and something to get away from integrated Sigmatel.

    See, this is why I post. I've never even heard of that card before! What do you mean when you say that it's "no frills"? It looks as frilly as anything else. It's about the same price as the Soundblaster Live!, but it's USB 2.0 which is a big plus. Can anyone comment on how they compare? The Audigy NX is USB 2.0 (unfortunately, it's also based on a Sigmatel chip), but I don't think they're making those anymore; anyone know why?
     
    lumberbunny, Nov 28, 2006
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  9. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's pretty much, it does what its supposed to do, output to a 5.1, look nice and output pretty good sound(I'm no audiophile, but its alot better then my speakers without the card).
     
    coriolis, Nov 28, 2006
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