I'm looking for a PCI soundcard for Windows 2000 with the following features: dual line level analog input (1/8" stereo jack preferred) microphone level analog input (1/8" jack preferred) dual line level output (1/8" stereo jack preferred) digital input (S/PDIF optical or coaxial) price <$150 US This is for work, so I don't care about gaming, surround-sound, etc. features. I really just want clean analog audio quality and a digital input. 96K/24-bit support would be nice, but not necessary. The main use is as a capture front-end for DSP experiments, capturing the output of my algorithms running on an external box (hence the desire for digital input), etc. I also want to use it as a general-purpose sound card for playing back Windows alter sounds, etc. I have been using the on-board audio on my PC, but I am finding that to be limiting. Can anyone make a recommendation? It seems that digital outputs are quite common these days, but digital inputs are less so.
PC Sound card recommendation
Started by ●October 15, 2004
Reply by ●October 15, 20042004-10-15
"Jon Harris" <goldentully@hotmail.com> wrote:>I'm looking for a PCI soundcard for Windows 2000 with the following features: > >dual line level analog input (1/8" stereo jack preferred) >microphone level analog input (1/8" jack preferred) >dual line level output (1/8" stereo jack preferred) >digital input (S/PDIF optical or coaxial) >price <$150 US > >This is for work, so I don't care about gaming, surround-sound, etc. features. >I really just want clean analog audio quality and a digital input. 96K/24-bit >support would be nice, but not necessary. The main use is as a capture >front-end for DSP experiments, capturing the output of my algorithms running on >an external box (hence the desire for digital input), etc. I also want to use >it as a general-purpose sound card for playing back Windows alter sounds, etc. >I have been using the on-board audio on my PC, but I am finding that to be >limiting. > >Can anyone make a recommendation? It seems that digital outputs are quite >common these days, but digital inputs are less so. >http://store.yahoo.com/tracertek/esijulia.html _______________________________________________________________________________ Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Accounts Starting At $6.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com <><><><><><><> The Worlds Uncensored News Source <><><><><><><><>
Reply by ●October 19, 20042004-10-19
Does it absolutely have to be a PCI card? You might find it much easier to get those features with an off-board system using firewire interfaes. Some excellent examples are M-Audio and MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn). M-Audio is more affordable. MOTU would have better specs. There are many others. Just a thought. Try www.sweetwater.com, www.washingtonmusic.com, American Music Supply, etc.
Reply by ●October 19, 20042004-10-19
It doesn't have to be PCI, but that is preferred. External gear means external power supplies, more space, etc.. Not a deal-breaker though. "Gary G" <garyNOSPAM@gilbert-land.com> wrote in message news:Xns9587630CABB65GaryG@216.196.97.131...> Does it absolutely have to be a PCI card? > You might find it much easier to get those features with > an off-board system using firewire interfaes. > Some excellent examples are M-Audio and MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn). > M-Audio is more affordable. > MOTU would have better specs. > > There are many others. > > Just a thought. > > Try www.sweetwater.com, www.washingtonmusic.com, American Music Supply, > etc.
Reply by ●October 19, 20042004-10-19
Jon Harris wrote:> It doesn't have to be PCI, but that is preferred. External gear means external > power supplies, more space, etc.. Not a deal-breaker though.Many USB devices are powered via the cable. I have a floppy drive like that. A sound card should be no sweat. Jerry -- Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get. �����������������������������������������������������������������������
Reply by ●October 19, 20042004-10-19
Some are, some aren't. Pro audio devices often has substantial power requirements, including the analog quality of the power. "Jerry Avins" <jya@ieee.org> wrote in message news:2tl6vfF20qpfcU1@uni-berlin.de...> Jon Harris wrote: > > > It doesn't have to be PCI, but that is preferred. External gear meansexternal> > power supplies, more space, etc.. Not a deal-breaker though. > > Many USB devices are powered via the cable. I have a floppy drive like > that. A sound card should be no sweat. > > Jerry > -- > Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get. > �����������������������������������������������������������������������
Reply by ●October 19, 20042004-10-19
Jon Harris wrote:> Some are, some aren't. Pro audio devices often has substantial power > requirements, including the analog quality of the power.It's worth checking, though, before you turn away. Jerry -- Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get. �����������������������������������������������������������������������
Reply by ●October 20, 20042004-10-20
It is worth checking, but I don't recall any. I'm very happy with the MOTU 896 that I have - it is certainly not compact. I have used the M-Audio Firewire Audio interface - very compact and pretty descent quality. Still requires external power supply. Connectors leave a bit to be desired - no XLR balanced connectors. But they are attacking price point.