Need external sound card

Lord Alibaski · 2 Aug 2017 at 22:11

I've been using a Asus Xonar D2X to power my Corsair SP2500's but I keep having the same problem with the cable, the 3.5 jack end after time I keep getting feedback through the card because of the cable dangling and pulling on the card too much...not much I can do with it because I have my main unit about on a shelve 3m away from the PC (no room on floor). I don't play games I just listen to my music via my PC a lot.

I have been looking at external cards this way at least I can leave the cable flatter on the desk and it won't be causing any stress to the jack, but I don't know which external to get....I have a budget of £100.

Been looking at the Asus xonar U7 which looks ok but is there any better ones out there any advice will be appreciated.

PapaLazaru · 3 Aug 2017 at 06:06

Hi, just to power speakers or do you also want to plug in headphones in occasionally?

Lord Alibaski · 3 Aug 2017 at 14:32

Yes mainly to power speakers, the actual volume control on the corsair speakers has a input for headphones if I ever have to use them.

Marsman · 3 Aug 2017 at 16:41

I wouldn't have thought there would be any strain unless the cable were heavy, thick and inflexible or maybe too tight so it pulls on the socket, which certainly could result in damage if the cable were pulled resulting in excessive strain.

I've had a few and cards over the years and I've never had any cable add strain to a socket unless it was one of the reasons above. A cable that is long enough and isn't too thick or inflexible should avoid any issue.

Of course if there is damage that is a result of strain however it came about, then a post which is leading towards saying a longer flexible cable is a lot cheaper than buying a new device, is a waste of time.

In which case; if you don't play games, I'd get a DAC/amp rather than a sound card. You won't need positional sound for headphones and you don't have 5.1 speakers. Only other reason to buy a sound card is for better microphone input than what on-board audio offers.

SMSL M3 is a good choice. SD793 is also a good choice for sightly less. You need optical though for the 793; M3 has both optical and USB input. Both have RCA output for connect to speakers, which should provide a sturdier connection for any unruly cable.

Lord Alibaski · 3 Aug 2017 at 17:40

This is the cable im using and it is thick and heavy

http://www.cabling4less.co.uk/produ...m_stereo_to_2_x_phono_(left_and_right)_cable/

I tried some cheaper stuff but the speakers sounded really dull hence a couple of extra £ for the cable above improved the sound quite a bit. I'm thinking of making some kind of arm attached to the pc case to take some stress off the card. The card was 2nd hand so don't know if it was damaged to begin with, though it does power the speakers a lot better than the onboard sound does.

The 3.5 jack end could be the problem because when pulling it out and touching it there is a lot of interference, crackling and its annoying.

nicknack35 · 5 Aug 2017 at 11:01

Stop been a tight bum and get some decent stereo speakers ha ha. On a serious note if you can afford a upgrade to a decent set of stereo speakers active or not you will get more enjoyment from your music then using them corsair and longer listening periods without headache lol. I used to use a 5.1 logitech setup for my music and films and changed 4 years ago i will never go back to onboard sound. Maybe save the £100 and save maybe for a set of Audioengines you can get there lower end for under £200 and you will love it there active so no need for an amp. Active speakers wont beat a proper setup but there not designed to. Id deffo consider it. And save a lot of annoying listening

Lord Alibaski · 5 Aug 2017 at 12:04

In my little box room where my PC is (which is 7ft by 4ft) there is also my old hifi setup, but that is only being used at the minute for backing up several 100 old cassette tapes. The SP2500 are more capable of giving me the sound I want for this little room so spending more than £100 is a no go. The main issue is the cable it would be much easier and cheaper to sort this end out instead of shelling out more on a new set of speakers that isn't needed.

The idea of getting a external card which can connect to the PC by USB and placing the card on the desktop this will then connect to the cable which will be resting on the desktop also taking all the stress off the line in. The other idea I was thinking was to create some kind of arm/holder from the PC case holding the cable taking stress off the card, it's the PC case which is causing problems too it's too big got a lian-li PC-V2100 plus II which is way to big to put on the desktop.