Audiophiles, I need your help

[Jisi]

I need an audio solution for my laptop, I recently got a T43 Thinkpad, but I wanna run my Headphones through them, HD595's and Alessandros MS2i's.

Are there any pc slot cards or external soundcards that will produce high quality sound, anything with a built in amp to drive these headphones?

Also whats the diff between a DAC and a soundcard... kinda confused by that.

 

[RanDum72]

Uhmm..the PC Card version of the Audigy ZS?

 

[ecvs85]

DAC is digital analog converter, the chip that was used to change digital sound data into analog signals. Soundcard is the entire thing that includes sound processor, DAC, ADC, etc just like video cards
And about the external sound card, I don't know if there are good sound card for musics.

 

[svi]

My recommendation would be an Echo Indigo (you don't need the DJ version).

And that's, uh, all I guess I have to say.

 

[Cerb]

More than your wallet can handle. Be careful. (Computer as Source is where you want to start looking)

A DAC can be soundcard (take a nice little DAC, stick a USB controller on it and you have a basic external soundcard, even though it will be called a USB DAC or similar), but it depends on how technical you want to get. Technically, a DAC will take the info given to it, and produce a line output. Anything else is for something else to handle (like amping). Soundcard has come to mean about any computer component that inputs analog audio to, or outputs analog audio from, PC software.

 

[lordsaytor]

First of all, you clearly did your research when you got a pair of Sennheisers. I have a pair of HD 590 and I love them so kudos.

As for an external sound card, I got the M-Audio Transit usb soundcard. I don't think it really gives much power to my headphones. But check out M-Audio's line of external sound cards.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=instantmusic

check out the MobilePre USB

 

[Fresh Daemon]

M-Audio and Audiotrak are good audiophile cards. Get a USB one. If the headphone output is insufficient, get a headphone amp or build your own (google 'Chu Moy'). You can also try visiting http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/ and asking one of the members there to build you one, many people will.

As a general rule, a dedicated headphone amp will give much better sound quality and higher output than any soundcard, and most hi-fi amps for that matter (unless you're getting a Krell, Passlabs or something crazy that costs more than a car and has a dedicated Class A headphone amp). Hook it up to the line-out and you're golden.

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: lordsaytor
First of all, you clearly did your research when you got a pair of Sennheisers. I have a pair of HD 590 and I love them so kudos.

As for an external sound card, I got the M-Audio Transit usb soundcard. I don't think it really gives much power to my headphones. But check out M-Audio's line of external sound cards.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=instantmusic

check out the MobilePre USB

I agree

 

[DRavisher]

If you are willing to spend a little money you could get the meieraudio PortaCorda MKIII. It is a headphone amp with a built in USB DAC. Its what i'm using with my sennheiser HD650s, and it works great. But it costs around 200$ (i think).

 

[rstrohkirch]

A question like that depends on how "audiophile" you consider yourself...otherwise known as how much money you have on hand. =]

Ideal setup would be digital out-->quality off board DAC--> suitable amplifier--> phones

Realistically, you'll probably opt into the aftermarket soundcard-->suitable amplifier??--> phones

Do some research on some quality usb/pcmcia soundcards to see what ones suits your needs instead of asking around, from there you can decide how much more you want to put into it.

 

[corkyg]

A simple and elegant audio solution is the Audigy 2NX (External module - USB connection.) I have that driving a good set of speakers with my laptop, and the results are excellent.

2NX

 

[lordsaytor]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
A question like that depends on how "audiophile" you consider yourself...otherwise known as how much money you have on hand. =]

Ideal setup would be digital out-->quality off board DAC--> suitable amplifier--> phones

Realistically, you'll probably opt into the aftermarket soundcard-->suitable amplifier??--> phones

Do some research on some quality usb/pcmcia soundcards to see what ones suits your needs instead of asking around, from there you can decide how much more you want to put into it.

rstrobkirch is so right about that. it's about how "audiophile" you are and how much money you're willing to throw in. If I was as rich as Dravisher, I'd get myself a pair of HD650s too and his recommended PortaCorda MKIII, but that costs as much as my monthly rent.

 

[DRavisher]

I just happened to be at a point where I could do a 'super upgrade' . I'm just an average student though.

The HD 595 are 50ohm and are supposed to be pretty easy to power, so a nice USB sound card (or a PCMCIA). Just check with people to see if it can deliver enough power. The HD595s are supposed to be easy to power, so it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[Excelsior]

I like the maudio transit idea...then maybe run an optical from that to a qualiy receiver...sh!t I dunno.