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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 28 May 2018, 13:40:42
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I've got an old workstation desktop PC with no sound support, I don't want to put anything internal in, does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap and decent usb sound option? Or something else?
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if you just need to make it go b00p , anything will do.
If you want something that isn't electrically noisy like computer sound typically is.. You're gonna want a usb sound stick which has optical out,
Then through optical, then to something like a Fiio d3
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Well I've got an old Logitech Z-5500 surround set I'm thinking about hooking up to it otherwise I use headphones.
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Well I've got an old Logitech Z-5500 surround set I'm thinking about hooking up to it otherwise I use headphones.
if it's a z5500, then that has optical input..
You'd want a usb optical stick,
https://www.amazon.com/External-Adapter-Optical-Windows-SD-AUD20101/dp/B006SF68P2/ref=sr_1_5/141-0509642-9829263?ie=UTF8&qid=1527534589&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+toslink
This is the one I have, but i only need it in a stick form because i bought it for a laptop.
You can get the small box kind
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/141-0509642-9829263?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=usb+optical+sound&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ausb+optical+sound
All of these do more/less the same thing.
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tp4's right, optical is the way to go with an external amp to avoid ground loops.
Cheap USB soundcards don't usually do well with efficient headphones as the power supply is noisy but looks like you can plug them into that surround sound set so you're good.
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I have in a past career designed audio equipment, including USB devices. While I cannot give a sensible recommendation, it really bothers me that consumers still have to struggle with ground loops and noise. They should not be aware that something like that exists. It is really some of the easiest problems to fix.
(And I do not think that optical is a good solution to these)
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I have in a past career designed audio equipment, including USB devices. While I cannot give a sensible recommendation, it really bothers me that consumers still have to struggle with ground loops and noise. They should not be aware that something like that exists. It is really some of the easiest problems to fix.
(And I do not think that optical is a good solution to these)
Please elaborate on the solutions. !!
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Well, it is usually in the design of the amplifier, so the user does not really have a lot of choices here. I usually also use balanced audio for everything. In fact, I once made an error in the PSU design, resulting in more of a noise generator than a PSU, it was very loud with single-ended,
but not even measurable (or audible) on the balanced output. It does however also require the design to be properly balanced and not introduce any common mode noise earlier in the processing chain.
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I would chec klipsch. Theyre decently priced for great SQ
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You can get a iFi DSD Micro that has amazing sound for headphones and can be used as a soundcard and passive volume control for external powered speakers. It's USB and has a Burr Brown DAC which are some of the best IMO.