I need my expansion slots back: USB sound card?

[Yukikaze]

My Xonar D1 is eating up a precious expansion slot in my main rig (six slots, four PCIe, two PCI, both GTX285s eat up three PCIe slots and one PCI slot) and I am interesting in getting a USB sound device.

I am willing to spend up to 200$ (but up to 150$ preferred) at a Microcenter (I'll be in the US in about two weeks and right next to a Microcenter) or via Newegg.

I would like the device to have optical input and output, coax input and output, a standard set of plugs for a 7.1 setup, very high sound quality and VERY GOOD driver support (the later is critical) for Windows 7 64-bit and 64-bit Linux (latter not a must).

I am not very knowledgeable in sound cards, so I could really use your help.

Thanks!

[Mussels]

thread cleaned, lets try again...

[shevanel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MUSILAND-Monitor...ht_4177wt_1137

As far as USB goes... there isn't much in this price range to beat it.

[TIGR]

I was going to recommend Creative's SB1090 but then looked closer at your requirements. You'll have a much harder time finding all that in a USB sound card than you would with a PCI/PCI Express product. Could you instead sell your DFI board and opt for one with seven expansion slots that are laid out more appropriately for your needs? Alternatively, as your ATCS 840 has seven expansion slots and your board has a PCI slot on the "bottom," you might be able to use a flexible PCI riser like this to connect your D1 and mount it out of the way.

To mods: I thought there was a rule against posting Ebay links but am really trying to help—I have no connection to that auction—and just checked the rules and didn't see anything against it there. I hope this is ok.

[Yukikaze]

Originally Posted by shevanel

http://cgi.ebay.com/MUSILAND-Monitor...ht_4177wt_1137

As far as USB goes... there isn't much in this price range to beat it.

Okay. Just found the thread discussing this toy at head-fi.org and everyone is praising the quality of it to high heaven. It doesn't have inputs on it, which is a bummer, considering I wanted to hook up the PS3 to this thing as well, but that's not a must.

Ordering one of those through ebay as we speak.

Thanks a bunch shevanel!

[shevanel]

If it will work for your current sound system you have now then you'll be super happy. Plus with quality headphones.. mmm it'll sound better than any of creatives USB options

There are other devices similar to the musiland that might offer what you need but it may cost more..

[Yukikaze]

Originally Posted by TIGR

I was going to recommend Creative's SB1090 but then looked closer at your requirements. You'll have a much harder time finding all that in a USB sound card than you would with a PCI/PCI Express product. Could you instead sell your DFI board and opt for one with seven expansion slots that are laid out more appropriately for your needs? Alternatively, as your ATCS 840 has seven expansion slots and your board has a PCI slot on the "bottom," you might be able to use a flexible PCI riser like this to connect your D1 and mount it out of the way.

To mods: I thought there was a rule against posting Ebay links but am really trying to help—I have no connection to that auction—and just checked the rules and didn't see anything against it there. I hope this is ok.

Thanks for the advice!

I do have a PCI riser, but it doesn't fit under the bottom GTX285 cooler. The seventh expansion slot which is open in the case is above all the slots my motherboard has.

I think I'll go with the Musiland solution and forgo the input requirements, as from what I gather it has superior sound quality.

[Yukikaze]

Originally Posted by shevanel

If it will work for your current sound system you have now then you'll be super happy. Plus with quality headphones.. mmm it'll sound better than any of creatives USB options.

Yep, it will work perfectly for my current sound setup and I was looking at a good headset for a while now, so this thing is looking better and better to me.

Update: Bought one for 125$ (shipping included).

[shevanel]

Good deal.


Please do let us know how it all sounds once you have it going.

[Yukikaze]

Originally Posted by shevanel

Good deal.

Please do let us know how it all sounds once you have it going.

Well, I got back from the states, to find my Musiland box waiting for me. I am currently listening to Dire Straits' Telegraph Road with my Sennheiser PXC350s and I suspect my Logitech speaker setup (Z-2300) is going to be gathering dust from now on.

Many, many thanks for recommending this thing to me, the sound is amazing.

[HookeyStreet]

Your gonna hate me for saying this, but what about using onboard sound? Most boards have very good onboard sound nowadays

[Yukikaze]

Originally Posted by HookeyStreet

Your gonna hate me for saying this, but what about using onboard sound? Most boards have very good onboard sound nowadays

There is no way in heck I can go back to my on board sound after switching to my new Musiland

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by Yukikaze

There is no way in heck I can go back to my on board sound after switching to my new Musiland

LOL, is it that good? I just noticed that onboard would never meet your input/output connection requirements anyway

[shevanel]

I have a Matrix mini-i and it could be considered an entry level DAC in the $300 range but I'll tell you this, I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever use another PC sound card ever again!

I'm going to try out the Maverick D1 soon