2. pc-audio
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External sound device vs PCI soundcard

Hi all

I’m still feeling my way around the area of PC audio, so please don’t shoot me if I’m way off track.

After reading through many of the post on this site is seems the general consensus is that doing a D-A conversion inside to PC case degrades sound quality to much due to electrical interference.

One way I thought of getting past this problem was to use an external sound device like the M-audio Sonic Theater, USB. If the sensitive DAC process was kept away from the PC, wouldn’t the output signal be relatively good.

Any thought or experience with external sound devices vs. internal soundcard would be greatly welcome.

Cheers.
xs1

Showing 1 response by jimtavegia

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jimtavegia
8 posts
 
I tried an M Audio delta 44 but the computer power supply noise was so high I gave it up. I did buy and install their M Audio DIO 24/48 and have used their Flying Calf S/PDFI 24 bit dac for 4+ years with great results. I am doing many locations recordings in 2-channel and it sounds better than many commercial recording I buy. I do wish I had maybe bought the ADA 1000 from Lucid, but I am over it. It is probably better, but by what degree?

I have a new laptop and will be turning that into a 2-channel recording rig as well, probably using firewire. Cool Edit 2000 is no more so it looks like CakeWalk to the rescue.

Jim Tavegia
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