How to get good sound using USB?

[prava]

Hi folks!
I love SFF systems, because you can squeeze most of the stuff you need in a small package, keeping the whole room more tidy.

The problem that I found with them, specially with mITX systems is that I would only be able to use one VGA...and thats it. So, is there any way to get good sound using an USB (firewire or whatever) card? I'm using an Auzentech X-Fi Forte atm, so you have an idea of what I'm aiming for...

Thanks.

[Scubar]

Ideally you want to find a mitx board which has an SPDIF. Then you can use that to go into a receiver which will allow much better sound quality as the receiver will have much better DACs

[prava]

Nah, not planning to use any receiver at the moment...and don't see the point either as I'm trying to build a computer with a small footpring..and adding a receiver does nothing in that aspect ^^

I've just seen this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102032

Do you think it is any good?

[EniGmA1987]

There are plenty of devices out there, and the best quality sound from a computer is almost always via USB. The problem is you probably wont want to pay for quality and the unit might be larger than you want. But Quality requires money, and size.

This is one of the slightly cheaper "good enough" units out there:
http://www.amazon.com/Audiophile-Products-Fubar-Plus-Headphone/dp/B002XO973M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1287259596&sr=1-2

[Bobsama]

"Small" and "good sound" doesn't mix. If it's tiny, it's probably crap. That applies to almost anything--speakers especially.

The best way to get good audio out of a small box is an external DAC. Your cheap crappy ones (not much different from average integrated audio) are about $10-100 and high-quality DAC's start around $200-300. However, then you have another "thing" to put on your desk/cabinet/whatever. The good thing about that is, if you have decent headphones, there are plenty of DAC's with decent amps for real headphones.

[antiacid]

just so we know, this is for a headphone setup right?

Because if you're going with decent speakers, you most certainly need a quality receiver / amplifier. At that point, you'd connect your fancy sound card from your mini system through optical link to the receiver.

USB sound dongle work OK for headsets but I wouldn't call it high-end in the audio world.

[STEvil]

Terractec 6fire USB: http://www.terratec.net/en/products/DMX_6Fire_USB_2084.html

[prava]

just so we know, this is for a headphone setup right?

Because if you're going with decent speakers, you most certainly need a quality receiver / amplifier. At that point, you'd connect your fancy sound card from your mini system through optical link to the receiver.

USB sound dongle work OK for headsets but I wouldn't call it high-end in the audio world.

Yeah, its for headphones only. ATM I'm using a pair of Sennheiser HD-25 C-II.

[hazardous]

I use an AudioGD FUN version A with the Earth OPA module upgrade :up: Perfect external DAC/headphone amp.

[Miwo]

Check out the NuForce uDAC2. Its an external USB DAC / Headphone amp, fairly inexpensive, and sounds good. I am using one right here in the office :)
Unless you plan on buying some really expensive headphones and speakers soon, it doesn't make much sense to me to be spending $300+ on a External DAC / Headphone Amp with a pair of $150 cans. You could always take that $300 and upgrade your headphones to something even better

Nuforce udac2
http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/iconudac2/index.php

[STEvil]

If that was 4v on the preouts i'd grab one :(