External Sound Cards - Help!

[Known One]

Can someone recommend an External Sound card for use as a music enthusiast?

 

I'm not looking to do any production at all... just want something to give me an eargasm . Just got some Sennheiser HD600's and need something to power em.

 

I would say the $300 area is the max I'd spend.

 

I'm preferrably wanting something thats readily available in NZ,

 

 

Cheers y'all

[Known One]

I think I may not bother anymore.... I figured out why they weren't sounding so great here at work....

 

Was plugging them into Line Out... instead of dedicated Head phone jack. I didn't even know there was a difference

[Guest]

The Edirol UA25 is pretty damn good. Do some research on it the stats are well wicked. And it is very cheap to. Rockshop has them on special at the moment.

 

ez

 

This is an extrenal card and its stats are a little better than most m-audio

Edited October 12, 2005 by Guest

[Dapht1]

If you wanted a cheap(ish) but good PCI card this one from M-Audio could do the trick..

 

 

Details here..

 

Don't know much about this particular card but I like what I've seen of the M-Audio Range

[.terra.]

If your after a top quality sound you realy want to get an external sound card to eliminate the amplification of the vibrations from your computer's fans/hard drives.

 

If you want it only for playback you should just get something simple with a headphone amp on it.

 

Something like the "Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX External USB Sound Card" would be your most basic option.

 

 

More info at: http://www.adamant.com/ItemInfo_sb0490.asp?GotoID=ITEM&PrdAbr=SCCL-SB0490&menu=PARTS

 

The "C-Media 7.1-Channel 3D USB External Sound Pocket", the "USB Sound Blaster Live 24-bit External" or the "FireWire Audiophile is a compact, FireWire-compatible audio/MIDI interface" are some slightly more advanced options.

[Dapht1]

They had/ have 'Creative' Cards at MAINZ and I really didnt like them.. Designed for gamers, Emu is thier Audio Range if you must get thier shit..

 

I suggested the PCI Card as as way of keeping within budget.. Not that I have or would prob buy one myself, Although the 1010LT's are badbwoy for the price.. Im leaning towards a M-Audio Firewire 410 as shown in the 'what you are/ what you want to be using' Producer thread..

[Dapht1]

+ Heres a link to Carnage's suggested 'box':

Link

One disadvantage could be the USB interface if you prefer to have Firewire..

 

The FA-66 looks to be the Firewire version:

Link

 

Most likely a little pricier tho..

 

M-Audio site seems to be down so couldnt find thier mid-range Firewire options.. Worthwhile considering/ trialling a few options in the shop or whatever if you can to find the 'box' that suits you best..

 

*Well if theres no PCI-Card its not a card anymore is it?

[aldawg]

I know that these are a bit more than you wanted to spend. But value for money wise this is a pretty good deal. E-mu have excellent signal to noise ratio and have large dynamic range....which equates to more head room whilst recording and playback during mixdowns.

http://www.audiomidi.com/1820M--P4808.aspx

[Guest]

+ Heres a link to Carnage's suggested 'box':

Link

One disadvantage could be the USB interface if you prefer to have Firewire..

 

The FA-66 looks to be the Firewire version:

Link

 

Most likely a little pricier tho..

 

M-Audio site seems to be down so couldnt find thier mid-range Firewire options.. Worthwhile considering/ trialling a few options in the shop or whatever if you can to find the 'box' that suits you best..

 

*Well if theres no PCI-Card its not a card anymore is it?

 

Yeah bro, the 410 firewire is $400 more, and i did some research and came back with some people saying they get popping noises from them. Guess its just a trial and error thing though. The spec's between the two are pretty much the same.