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    Best external sound card for a laptop

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by hi-jp, Apr 25, 2006.

  1. hi-jp

    hi-jp Newbie

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    In you own opinion, what would be the best external sound card for a laptop?
    I've heard the Audigy 2 SZ plugged into a Toshiba M100/P100 [I forgot which one, but the one that has duo core] and Audigy 2 NX. So far I prefer the NX and I was wondering, would a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro be on par with this? Or is there any external sound card that would match or surprass the Audigy 2 NX? Someone in this forum mentioned a Xi-Tel and Echo Indigo sound card. Has anyone listen to any of those?
     
    hi-jp, Apr 25, 2006
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  2. boon27

    boon27 Notebook Evangelist

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    i think the audigy 2 zs as its got thx certified...it is pcmia card so can plug in many notebook
     
    boon27, Apr 25, 2006
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  3. lukealexander

    lukealexander Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    If you want an expert opinion, try www.head-fi.org - it is an audiophile forum with a sub-forum for "computer as source". The guys there are very helpful. You should also try the search function over there since it is a very active community.

    I think the Turtle Beach is probably not on par with what you have mentioned, but it has the advantage of being able to be used on any machine with a USB port. If you want THX, surround sound etc, a bigger card would be the way to go.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    lukealexander, Apr 25, 2006
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  4. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    The TurtleBeach Audio Advantage Micro is not on par with an Audigy. I have one. It is perfect for my needs, but its not an Audigy.
     
    RogueMonk, Apr 25, 2006
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  5. tullnd

    tullnd Notebook Evangelist

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    THX certification is hardly important on a laptop soundcard. First, you have to realize what THX certification is and how you get it. Just cause a card isn't "THX Certified"(or any speaker system or various audio components), doesn't mean it doesn't far exceed the specs that THX looks for...just that they didn't pay the exorbitant fees to have their product tested and labelled as such.

    I just wouldn't use that as a determining factor.
     
    tullnd, Apr 25, 2006
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  6. boon27

    boon27 Notebook Evangelist

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    well hi-jp was only asking for the best sound card hehe...
     
    boon27, Apr 26, 2006
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  7. Shampoo

    Shampoo Notebook Deity

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    Why do you prefer the audigy 2 NX over the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook?

    The latter of the two has more features than the NX.

    Edit:: I have the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook and it's just amazing. Clarity of sound is great, no noise/distortion, bass is rich and deep, produces sound almost perfectly.
     
    Shampoo, Apr 27, 2006
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