In need of a good quality external soundcard for PC, any suggestions?

MusicDirector said:
Thanks Mike, but there is nothing I can use on that whole page. The last two items are affordable, but of no use to me to solve the problem. The rest of the items are far too expensive and won't solve the problem anyway because they do not take the source of the noise out of the equation, they just try to filter it. (That approach has never worked).
Click to expand...

Go with E's suggestion then. But I'm obviously not understanding the question because the SOTM sound card is excellent. If you are looking for a more budget friendly suggestion - then E can help best.
 
radioactive said:
Eric -- lots of times the noise that comes from a sound card output is really a ground noise problem - I've had lots of experience with this issue. One way to test this is to see if your sound card has a digital optical output. Try driving something with that output and see if the noise goes away (ground is not an issue with an optical cable from a pc).

Without knowing a few things this is just a stab in the dark really. It would be nice to know the following:
1. What is your current sound card? You may find you have better results opening your case and replacing it with a better card.
2. Has this problem always existed?
3. How do you use the output from the soundcard? Do you drive speakers directly with the analog output or do you send the digital out to something else?
4. What kind of interface does your current card use (PCI, PCI-Express, etc.)

Just trying to help...

Bryan
Click to expand...

I have nothing I can drive with the optical out on the soundcard.
1) Soundcard = HT Omega Striker 7 Simply replacing the card will not solve the problem because the noise I am hearing are things such as the HDD spinning up and other internal noise as well, likely from the array of fans cooling the monster tower of mine.
2)The problem actually started about 3 months into owning it. I've had it for a year. Yes, I checked the seating and everything is snug.
3) I use the the 1/8 output directly driving the KRK speakers. The speakers are hooked up via XLR cable to adaptor for 1/8 (mini jack). The soundcard has one RCA port,but I forgot if it's input or output. The speakers have XLR port, RCA port and unbalanced 1/4 ports.
4) PCI Interface.
 
MusicDirector said:
Not quite. At least The Music Fidelity won't. The speakers run Balanced and unbalanced XLR cables. They do not have Toslink, 1/8 inch or SPDF jacks. I think they might also have RCA jacks and/or 1/4 inch, but I'll have to confirm that. (I'll look tonight). I know I'm running adaptors for the cables (XLR to RCA I believe). I'm a little confused, I have a SoundBlaster external sound card for my laptop, but I would not use it for my desktop as it is not really suited for my applications. (It's fine for the laptop just for better than laptop sound, not for anything serious). If I just got a external DAC wouldn't I still be running sound from the internal soundcard, thus I'd still get noise?
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the Echo Gina line? VERY cool stuff...for musicians and audiophiles alike

USB audio recording interface and personal mixer for live performance | Echo Digital Audio
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top