Thread: Onboard sound on a Nano

Onboard sound is more susceptible to noise than even internal soundcards (although, if you stick an internal soundcard in the slot under a video card, expect static).

I've seen the M-Audio Audiophile reccomended a lot recently on some of the other forums I frequent, mainly for it's external firewire interface while still keeping ASIO (extremely low latency audio in/out) but not all motherboards have firewire so that could be a problem.

Unless you require crystal clear audio with no pops/interference (i.e. if you dispise radio), it's probably not worth buying an external soundcard.

If you hate interference, but aren't really obsessed about the audio being perfect, probably go with a USB/Firewire soundcard in the boot of the car so there's minimal cable length between the soundcard and the amp.

If you can't stand listining to anything less than a $3,000 stereo, and/or own $200+ headphones, you'll probably want to look at a digital processor like the Alpine PXA-H700/701. It'll take RCA or digital optical in, and output at 4V on as many channels as you want, with as many options as you want (time alignment, crossover adjustment, EQs for every channel, etc, etc). Other options would be an amp with digital input. Digital signals are not susceptible to interference of any kind, as they're data, not voltage. They're also higher bitrate than ALMOST any source you can come up with (650k?) except maybe DVD-A.

//Edit: Red's signature is a good example. That's a few thousand on frontstage speakers alone, another $600+ on the Alpine proc, god knows how much on the amplifiers. If you intend to spend that much on audio, you need a processor or digital amplifiers.

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Onboard If you can't stand listining to anything less than a $3,000 stereo, and/or own $200+ headphones, you'll probably want to look at a digital processor like the Alpine PXA-H700/701.

If you are looking for sound that beautiful, Consider a whole new car audio system.
Everything from speakers to amps to soundcard should be upgraded.
Depends how far you want to go with it.

So what sound card do you guys suggest? I want a USB for mine since all the PCI ports are used even with a riser. I think my onboard card is blown because I can't get sound anywhere, even with headphones plugged in. I know it's not the amp because the satillite radio works through it, and I reinstalled the driver from the via website. Nothing...

Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

If it is the board. I suggest a USB sound card. They are small and light. And can be purchased online (eBay) for 10 to 20 bucks. The sound from the one I use is EXCELLENT, better than my desktop's Creative Live! Value (yeah i got the value version...big mistake...) Any generic one is good. Mine is simply says 3D-Audio on the outside.

If with the usb adapter it still sounds like crap...you may want to look at the audio system in your car. crutchfield.com can give some great simple inexpensive tips to enhance your cars audio potential

-Luke

For instance, where can I pick this up? 20 bucks would be great. What model do you have?

I'm looking into a combination of Focal Tweets/X overs, and CDT midbasses for the rear. Not sure of the midbasses for the front stage though.

But the quality of sound is definitely an issue with me.

Simply go to ebay and search for "usb sound card" a whole bunch will come up. Any one is pretty good. The following link is for an auction of the same type of unit i puchased.

USB 3D Sound

As for the audio parts, speakers, xover, amps and such you can search ebay for the items. I suggest looking at crutchfield to find what you want first and then see if you can get it on ebay. (crutchfield can be expensive...but they also have good deals from time to time.)

If you really want to learn how to build and set up a really good system i suggest borrowing or buying the book "The Car Stereo Cookbook". Its an EXCELLENT resource for this kind of work.

-Luke

Thanks man...I appreciate the help...I just started looking into theses sound cards today.

So what is the difference between that sound card and say the Sound Blaster Live! USB? I mean as far as signal goes.

I realize that you can hook more up to the sound blaster, but im only running a stereo out converted to rca's then to a 4 channel amp. So really im only using one stereo port.

Does that mean the card you linked me to is what I need? Or would the sound blaster actually be better?

Well the soundblaster I have is not USB. It is a PCI card, im just saying that the USB had better sound quality.

That out of the way, the unit I showed you has a stereo OUT and a stereo IN (mic). So if you are only using 2 channel converted to RCA for the amp, i would go with the little USB sound card.

Do you REALLY think that 99 cent "sound card" is better than an onboard solution ? It's the same... AT BEST! 0l33l

Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

Simply go to ebay and search for "usb sound card" a whole bunch will come up. Any one is pretty good. The following link is for an auction of the same type of unit i puchased.

USB 3D Sound

As for the audio parts, speakers, xover, amps and such you can search ebay for the items. I suggest looking at crutchfield to find what you want first and then see if you can get it on ebay. (crutchfield can be expensive...but they also have good deals from time to time.)

If you really want to learn how to build and set up a really good system i suggest borrowing or buying the book "The Car Stereo Cookbook". Its an EXCELLENT resource for this kind of work.

-Luke

Actually it does sound pretty good...I just picked the Turtle Beach one up at CompUSA.

If you read between the lines though, you will see that charging 99 cents for the sound card is just a marketing ploy. It's the $15 for shipping that they make their money on. Pulls more people in for the sale I guess. They probably ship those things out for 2 bucks.

The USB units really do have great sound... many of them also avoid interference because there not wired into the board. I honestly and completely believe that the "99" cent unit can out perform the basic onboard audio.