USB sound system for laptop

[imported_bcbcbc]

In my desktop system at home I use a StereLink 1200 USB sound card to send an analog signal to my HK receiver then to good audiophile speakers. I use J. River Media Center version 10 software on the PC to manage the library/play the music. I am very pleased with my sound.

Now I'm setting up a laptop as a desktop replacement home system for a friend. He is obsessed about keeping the system to the smallest possible footprint in his library.

I'd like to find a an audio solution using a USB 2.0 port to a sound card device that includes sufficient amplification to drive a pair of speakers that give him the closest thing possible to audiophile sound without a separate receiver/amplifier/preamp.

I'm looking for recommendations for the USB device and the speakers.

TIA

 

[globalcitizen]

The sound card should be the Creative Audigy 2 NX. If you want highest quality speakers the Klipsch Promedia Ultras are the way to go.

 

[thraxes]

I would simply ignore USB and go one better spacewise: http://www.soundblaster.com/pr...ts/Audigy2zs_notebook/
A Audigy sound card in a PCMCIA form factor. It doesn't get any smaller and IMO the PCMCIA slot is a much better place bandwidthwise for a sound card than the well used USB bus.

 

[imported_bcbcbc]

I don't know about Creative. I had an Audigy sound card on my desktop before I switched to the USB card I'm using now. The Audigy wasn't even in the running.

I've been surfing around looking for the right gadget. M-Audio Transit looks interesting. I'm thinking about using that to pass a digital signal to a pair of powered speakers like maybe the Edirol SD-20s. Roland has something similar. I'm sure there are others as well.

Anybody has further thoughts or feedback I'd appreciate it.