Pandora & Intel HD Audio

**baudi** · 03-03-2006, 01:37 PM

Can anyone explain to this Newbie why you would need an external sound card with the Pandora? The Pandora's motherboard uses the Intel HD Audio chipset. Here's an excerpt from the Intel description:

Intel has worked with the industry to develop a new specification for integrated audio that is capable of delivering the features and high-end performance of an add-in audio card. Intel® High Definition Audio (Intel® HD Audio) is capable of playing back more channels at higher quality than previous integrated audio formats. In addition, Intel High Definition Audio has the technology needed to support the latest and greatest audio content. By enabling enhanced usage models, Intel High Definition Audio, available with the Intel® Express Chipsets, will also change how computer users interact with sound.

How does this chipset (or Pandora's implementation of this chipset) fall short?

**Kalt** · 03-03-2006, 02:06 PM

Im not sure but it has the worst onboard sound ive had on any mobo in recent years. The sound is full of distorton which would only get worse when passed through an amp, maybe its easily Irritated when it comes to audio.

**baudi** · 03-03-2006, 02:45 PM

I found the answer to my question in this review. Here's an excerpt from the review:

Strangely enough AOpen equips the Mini PC with a Realtek ALC850 AC’97 codec which is an 8-channel codec when the Mini PC only has a single stereo output. A two-channel high-definition audio codec or Analog Devices AC’97 codec would have been a better choice.

Since I'm not very familiar with PC Audio, I don't really understand this explanation, but it seems to indicate that AOpen's implementation is to blame.