Ultimate USB, Firewire, External Soundcard List

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10-13-2006, 02:56 PM
durwood

Ultimate USB, Firewire, External Soundcard List
Its hard to keep up with all the sound cards since they change so rapidly. This is just a list of External USB and Firwire cards available. Do not confuse these with DACs. For a good section on DAC see DAC stickey.

Pros of using a External Card

-Low noise
-Better sound quality (>90dB S/N) than onboard sound having a Signal to Noise ratio around 76-90dB.

Cons

-Bandwidth hungry, lots of CPU usage depending on computer (10-50% depending on processor speed).
-Some cards have hibernation issues (search because this is system dependent)

I wanted to compile a list of all sound cards old or new for those who want options. I will update as much as possible with all the following info:
1. Maunfacturer/Model
2. Price
3. Basic features and specs
4. Links on info
It is broken down into 2 groups:
- consumer products (products you can find locally or easliy on the internet)
- Professional products (geared more towards audiophile/music production quality found usually in Pro Audio type stores) .
Please be patient as I compile as much info as possible and condense it for easy reading. And here we go...

Consumer Level
Creative Labs

• Live! ($30-50 Still available)
SPECIFICATIONS

16/24bit @ 48kHz in 5.1 mode and up to 96kHz in stereo mode.
SPDIF out with up to 24-bit at 96 kHz quality.
USB 1.1 Bus powerd
Can run 5/6 channel stereo with CMSS management
Supports Windows XP SP2.
• Audigy 2NX ($100 hard to find/no longer in production)
SPECIFICATIONS
Front/Rear/Center/Sub 102dB @ 2Vrms
Headphone/Side 96db @ 2Vrms
24-bit/96kHz ADC for various analog inputs
24-bit/96kHz DAC for up to 7.1 channels output
S/PDIF format input signal of up to 24-bit/96kHz quality
Can run up to 8 channel stereo using their CMSS management
USB 1.1/2.0 External power supply needed
Turtle Beach

• Micro ($30)
- - Analog 2 channel out
    SPDIF Out
    USB bus powered
• Amigo ($50)
- - Analog 2 channel out
    SPDIF out
    Mic IN
    Volume Control
    USB bus powered
• Roadie ($80) Available @ MP3CAR store HERE
- - 5.1/7.1 Analog out/Digital out (Analog 2,4,6 or 8 Channel)
    Can run in 2/4/6/8 channel stereo mode
    10 Band EQ (individual speaker)
    Speaker Delay/Position
    Environments
    USB bus powered
Xitel
• HiFi Link ($50)
- - Analog Output Only
    90db SNR @ 1Vrms
    20bit DAC
    USB bus powered
• Pro HiFi Link ($80-100)
- - Analog/Digital Outputs
    RCA/Optical/Coax
    90db SNR @ 1Vrms
    20bit DAC
    USB bus powered
ADS
• RDX-150 ($35-50)
- - 16 bit DAC
    96 dB S/N
    Analog/Digital Ouput
ESI
• Gigaport AG ($200)
- - -8 x RCA Analog Output (8 x 24 bit D/A Converter)
    - SPDIF Optical Output
    - One Headphone Out
Audiotrak
• Maya EX ($???)

5.1 Sound
Zalman
• ZM-RSSC ($50-70)
- - Input: 1 USB connection port (USB 1.1/2.0 compatible)
    Output: three 3.5 stereo jack (Front, Rear, Center/Subwoofer)
    one digital port (both optical and coaxial, capable of outputting 5.1 Ch.)
    Chipset: Sonix 5.1 sound
    Sampling Rate: 24bit 96KHz D/A & A/D converter
SIIG
• USB SoundWave 7.1 ($17-35)
- - SIMULATED 7.1 sound (2 channel out)
    10 BAND eq
    Speaker position
    USB bus powered
M-Audio
• Sonica (Old model $80???)

• Transit ($100)
- - mobile 24-bit/96kHz USB audio upgrade
    Optical digital output allows AC-3 and DTS pass-through
  - Optical input (not sure if it digital signal with pass thru to analog out)
    104dB Dynamic Range
    100dB S/N
    Maximum output Voltage 0dBV
    ASIO compatible
AOC
• USB-AUDIO 5.1($16)
- - SIMULATED 5.1 sound (2 channel out)
    USB bus powered
Pro Audio
Behringer

• U-CONTROL UCA202 ($30 price indicates possible lower quality than "Pro")
- - Analog RCA Ouput
    2dBV / 400ohm unbalanced
    Digital Optical Out
    Line Input
    Headphone Out
M-Audio

• Fast Track ($130)
- - 2 Channel Analog
    24bit/48kHz
    USB bus powered
    ASIO compatible
• MobilePRE ($180)
- - 2 Channel Analog
    16bit/48kHz
    USB bus powered
    ASIO compatible
• Fastrack Pro ($200-250)
- - ASIO support with monitoring
    24-bit/96kHz
    4 unbalanced outputs (RCA)
    2 balanced outputs (¼” TRS)
    S/PDIF supports pass-through of AC-3/DTS
    Powered via USB or wallwart
    SNR -103dB, A-weighted
• Firewire Audiophile (Firewire connection) ($350)
- - 4 Channel in 6 Channel out (analog)
    Digital Ouput
    24 bit/96kHz
    106 dB S/N
    ASIO support
• Firewire 410 (Firewire connection) ($400)
- - 4 Channel in 10 Channel out (Analog)
    Digital Ouput
    24 bit/96kHz
    107dB S/N @ 20-40kHz +/-1dB
    ASIO support
EMU (Creative Professional)
• E-MU 0202 (???)

• E-MU 0404 ($200)
- - Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz from internal crystal (no sample rate conversion)
    USB 2.0 Hi-Speed: - Full 24-bit resolution at all sample rates
    - 4 in/4 out channels from 44.1-96kHz
    - 2 in/2 out channels from 176.4-192kHz
  - Anti-Pop speaker protection: Minimizes noise during power on/off
    Ultra-low jitter clock subsystem: < 500ps RMS in PLL mode
    (48kHz, Coaxial S/PDIF Sync)
  - Analog Line Outputs (2) Balanced, AC-coupled, 2-pole low-pass differential filter
    Level (auto detect): - Professional: +12dBV max (balanced)
    - Consumer: +6dBV max (unbalanced)
    Frequency Response (20Hz - 20kHz): 0.06/-.035dB
    Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 117dB
    Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 117dB
    THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -100dB (.001%)
    Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -114.5dB
  - Digital I/O:
    S/PDIF: - 2 in/2 out coaxial
    - 2 in/2 out optical
Edirol/Roland

• UA-25 ($240)
- - 24bit/96kHz Sampling
    Balanced outputs
    Digital outputs
    Matched low noise A/D D/A converters
RME

• Firewire 400 (firewire connection)($1000)
- - Analog 6 IN/6 Out
    1 Digital In/1 Digital Out
    110dB Dynamic Range
    100 dB S/N
    Sample rate up to 192 kHz
    Output Level +2 dBV
Terratec
• Aureon 7.1 (Firewire connection)(230 Euros)
- - -8 Analog Outs 24bit/192kHZ
    -Analog Line Input 24bit/96kHZ
    -Optical Digital S/P DIF Input (TOS Link) 24 bit/96 kHz
    -Optical Digital S/P DIF Output (TOS Link) 24 bit/96 kHz
    -Buspowered or optional power supply
    -Windows XP only
MOTU
• Ultralite (Firewire connection)$600
- - -14 Analog Balanced/Unbalanced Outs 1/4" jacks @ 24bit/96kHZ
    -COAX Digital S/P DIF Input/Output 24 bit/96 kHz
    -Buspowered or optional power supply
    -48V Phantom power for Mic Input
    -ASIO Compatible
10-13-2006, 03:16 PM
XC-C30

behringer and pro-audio in the same sentence, uhmmmmm
10-13-2006, 03:24 PM
durwood

Quote:

Originally Posted by IC-C30

behringer and pro-audio in the same sentence, uhmmmmm

hahaha. I couldn't agree with you more, but that is where you can find it... Pro audio stores. Price would indicate it's not as "pro" as they say. I could move it to the "consumer" group if people might get confused.

Edit: I decided to clarify my wording and grouping techniques.:D
10-13-2006, 03:48 PM
XC-C30

price is'n t always good indication. in Germany the edirol UA-EX one is cheaper than a turtlebeach roadie:D
10-13-2006, 05:22 PM
durwood

Quote:

Originally Posted by IC-C30

price is'n t always good indication. in Germany the edirol UA-EX one is cheaper than a turtlebeach roadie:D

...and also don't forget...Just because it was engineered in Germany doesn't mean it's quality.:p

(It's ok I work for a German owned company) hehehehe
10-14-2006, 12:04 AM
XC-C30

one other thing, most of us can't use the EMU cards, because of slower cpu. those cards requier a 1.4GHz cpu....
10-15-2006, 08:27 PM
RedGTiVR6

Here is an incredible option:

http://www.rme-audio.de/english/hdsp/hdsp9632.htm

Take a look at the info on that page and see where you can add on modules that will allow for multiple outputs.

I'm currently looking heavily into this option.

Also, all of the cards in the Audiotrack lineup appear to be good options for people on this board. Might as well link entirely to their site.

Also, for the benefit of those who are willing to spend the money to get good, very high quality cards, be sure to post them up, even if they seem to be out of your price range.

EDIT:

PS: one thing I've found incredibly helpful is to link to the page on the manufacturers web site for the particular product. It makes research a lot easier.
10-15-2006, 08:33 PM
XC-C30

http://www.audiotrak.net/mayaex.htm double the cost of a turtle beach roadie, but multiple output also, which the roadie doesn't have.

only 16bit though
10-15-2006, 09:08 PM
RedGTiVR6

http://www.synthzone.com/sndcard.htm

Good place to find other options.

If someone has the time, they could make a GREAT list using this web site.

http://sounden.terratec.net/index.php?

Great options.

The Aureon 7.1 FireWire looks like a great option. Going to email them and see if I can find out more (like voltage outs). - found out through the manual that it's 2v outputs, which would work for many people on this site, however, I'd like a little more.

One of the main issues I'm running into, and I'm sure others will or have too is that on these surround sound cards, I need to know how the unit handles the sound. I'm not wanting surround sound in my car. I'm wanting stereo sound, how would I go about changing the outputs of the card to be what I need/want them to be.

For instance, take a 7.1 card.

You have RCA channels for Right and left for front, rear, and surround (that's 6 channels right there), then you have a center, then a sub, for 8 total channels. However, if I don't want to process the sound into 7.1, but would rather take the front for tweeter, rear for mid-bass, surround for mid-range, and sub for sub.

Going to see if I can get that info as well.
10-15-2006, 09:54 PM
jasonsjwou

Auzentech X-Meridian has 5 Volt output. User replacable Opamps and clocks too.

If KX project supports it, that would be my answer. I don't know if it does, or if they are working on it.

It has 8 channel output. Configurable in any way we want..

ActiveXover, EQ, delay, effects etc all in digital domain... infinitly reconfigurable....

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