Sound card/Alternative for Laptop

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sriharsha_m

sriharsha_m

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I'm looking for a sound card for my Sony Vaio EB26FG laptop. I use it mostly for movies > > music > > gaming, in that order. I'll be using it with Brainwavz M2 and a couple of other IEM's and Philips SHP2700 Headphones.

Had a few options in mind earlier, like the creative sound blaster usb etc, but not able to find those now.

Had spent a lot in the last few weeks, so a bit low on budget now. I'm looking for something in the range of 2-3k. If there is anything that costs more & is worth the extra, then I'll wait & get that instead. Suggestions awaited :)

Also I've heard of some portable DAC amplifiers used instead of sound cards, I've never been in that territory, can anyone enlighten me a bit about that part.

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you will get "Creative USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro " for around 4500 from ebay india.

If your preference is headphones then you can go for a headphone USB DAC but you need to have digital (optical or coaxial) output from laptop.
 
Get a USB DAC like the uDAC for around 2.5k, but availability might be a problem. Its totally worth double that money, I can assure you.
 
Udac is pretty good for music IMO , but when it comes to games sound effects are not that greatly reproduced but yeah it was never made for gaming its meant purely for music purpose , what i am trying to convey is going for a sound card which maybe a little optimized for gaming would be a better option ( something like xonar dx available for laptop ??) .
 
@kris_one & @sukant

uDAC for just 2.5k? Which one Nuforce uDAC?

I'm not really particular about gaming as I said music & movies will be my top priority. Right now I can't spend 5k on Laptop sound card as I ordered a Xonar DG from pristine note for desktop.

A bit off topic, how about fiio E6? The size is compact enough so that I can use it with my phone as well.

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I can vouch for the uDAC too. Maybe pristine note will stock some again. I'd say go for it, the E7 or some usb dac in that range instead of the E5/E6. Using protable amp with a phone is cumbersome regardless of how compact it is and not worth it unless you are that invested in sound quality(in which case they won't suffice anyway :P).
 
E7- Pure and neutral sound. Can be used as a standalone AMP as well and has builtin Li-ion battery. Has display and bass boost function.

udac- slightly brighter than e7, and amped output is more powerful than e7, but cant be used as amp alone.

For me i like the e7 more, and the soundstage seemed better than udac too, so better for gaming purpose as well (on HP). But the Li-ion battery isnt replaceable and it might have a life span of 2~3 yrs. Maybe you can still use it as a DAC alone.
 
^^

Thank you so much for the info mate :)

So the E7 can't be used from mains/USB Powered or what?? Only on Battery??

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

UPDATE:

Went through your review on TE, still confused about the power source and what about the reliability on the long run?? You updated about dead screen on E7 right!

How reliable are these Chinese made stuff? Though they are superb value for money products, reliability is an issue.

Even the M2 I bought from a member here, conked off within 2 days of purchase and now I have to wait like 1 month for replacement. God forbid if it happens after warranty period, then all the money spent is washed away on these Chinese stuff.
 
E7 can be used both as a USB DAC (digital audio through USB>E7 DAC>Builtin AMP>dual 3.5mm jacks) and standalone AMP for PMPs(analog audio from pmp>3.5mm line in on E7>E7 AMP running on li-ion battery>dual 3.5mm jacks). It charges while working, ie when connected to a USB port. If you permanently uses it off a USB port as a DAC, then you can turn off USB charging to prolong battery life.

If you intend to use high impedance low sensitivy HP (64 Ohm to ~120) then udac will be better at driving them, else E7 is better.

But uDAC 2 is better than both but comes for a premium.
 
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