USB outboard sound card comment

Keis,
Please keep us informed as to which card you go with and why.

I have the Waveterminal U24 and am very happy with it. It is a USB 2.0 device but is backwards compatible with USB 1.0. I'm pretty sure most USB2.0 devices are backwards compatible. My Macs are all USB 1 and I've never had any problems streaming audio with them. USB 2.0 has a significantly better data-transfer rate, but in my experience with Mac/Waveterminal/iTunes it makes no difference. If it is not streaming music fast enough you would get pauses in the music.

Marco

I have a TwinDac Plus. It is really an outboard dac, not a soundcard. it has a usb input though. It requires USB 2.
Steve

I just purchased a Firewire version of M-Audio Audiophile. Time will tell. I understand USB 2 has even a better bandwidth then Firewire but I was unable to distinguish which devices are USB 1 or 2.

I also am of the understanding that normal 16/44 CD data rates can be handled just fine with USB1. It's when you get into the 24/96 that having USB2 becomes helpful.