External Sound Card
Q: Is an external sound card still the best way to get great audio?
A: In this article we look at a couple of alternatives to an external sound card: a high-quality USB sound card that also happens to also function as an external speaker and skypephone, and high-quality internal PCI sound cards available from Auzentech.
External sound cards have long been touted as a way to improve audio quality by moving the sound processing away form the computer's internal electronics. Auzentech offers one product that serves admirably as an external stereo soundcard: the VR-Fidelity.
External Sound card: VR-Fidelity
The VR-Fidelity is a high-quality VOIP Skypephone that happens to also be an excellent external sound card. Vaguely reminiscent of a doughnut, the VR-Fidelity includes a hi-fi speaker that floats in the middle. As an external sound card, the VR-Fidelity does not attempt to provide surround-sound, although it uses same high-quality audio chipset that drives Auzentech's high-end internal sound cards.
The combination of a quality speaker and chipset means you get great frequency range and clarity. For full specs, visit the link at the bottom of this article.
- Desktop external sound card usage: If you are using a business computer and the manufacturer's default soundcard, you are likely to hear improved sound by plugging your desktop speakers into the auxillary output jack of the VR-Fidelity. The Skypephone increases the overall depth of sound, in part by continuing to put out sound even as it feeds your desktop speakers.
- Laptop external sound card usage: When used with a laptop, the VR-Fidelity Skyephone is a great way to boost your audio and gain an exceptional hands-free speakerphone to use as a Skypephone or VOIP phone. To learn more about the Skypephone capabilities, follow the link at the bottom of this article.
Non-External Soundcards worth consideration
It once was necessary to use an external soundcard to get the best audio out of your PC. Not anymore. The
Auzentech X-Mystique and
X-Plosion soundcards are designed for—and by—audiophiles.
- Sound card hardware: Contacts are gold plated, the circuit board design is optimized for sound quality, and you can output to your home-theater surround sound system using digital coaxial or optical "Toslink" connectors. Or you can hook surround-sound speakers directly to the gold-plated plugs on the back of the card.
- Sound card technology: The X-Mystique and X-Plosion will up-sample all those flattened MP3s that you've been playing on your iPod®. In other words, stereo becomes Dolby® Digital Live (DDL) 5.1 channel surround sound or DTS 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 channels. The result are songs that sound better than you've ever heard before. Your computer will be the best sounding music, movie, and game station on the block.
Conclusions
If you are looking for an external sound card for your laptop or your office computer, the
VR-Fidelity speakerphone is an ideal choice. For non-external sound cards that provide audiophile quality, take a look at the
X-Mystique and
X-plosion PCI sound cards from Auzentech. As the Rage3D and Overclocking websites have raved in their reviews, Auzentech's sound cards are among the most significant recent developments in the industry.
More information:
Category: Skypephone. Date published: Apr 26, 06
