Desktops & All-In-Ones

[Alliciat]

Ah! Okay, I can see the reason for the delay on images! Makes sense.

Kudos...also great. Did a search here and only found one not very helpful line about kudos.

[suniljp]

There are many brands like creative, trust etc. You can go for any of those brands. While purchasing look for the specifications and check the compatibility with operating systems. Before you do a purchase let me know the make and model of the one you are going to purchase.

[Alliciat]

OK, I be lookign online and making comparisons on Monday but won't order until sure I've got the right one .

Thanks again.

[suniljp]

You are welcome. Let me know your findings.

[Alliciat]

Well it's been a long day researching USB sound cards. Saw a lot of adaptors, and sound boxes mixed in. Assuming that's not what I'm looking for.

Following are some USB sound cards. I've noticed some seem to come with 'installation cd"? In that case would my sound/audio issues mute their use?

I did go to The trust site, and it seems they do not list USA in any way, as a country to buy in..hmmm. Didn't find them at any 'known & trustable' websites.

Pros/cons for any of these? Looking for simple, easy to use, but decent quality, without costing an arm and leg.

Or if you have alternate suggestions, I'd welcome them. I can't manage anything much over the $40.00 USA price range. 

1: Creative Labs 70SB129000000 X-Fi Go Pro USB Sound Card. Model#: 70SB129000000

In item details, didn't find anything to say it was or wasn't supported by windows vista or any other windows OS.

2: Sabrent USB-SND8 Sound Card - 8 Channel 3D, 7.1 Surround Sound, USB 2.0, S-PDIF In/Out.

Model#: USB-SND8  Does list this: - Vista support.

3: Turtle Beach Audio Advantage® Micro II Laptop and PC Sound Card.

Model#: TBS-1150

Didn't specify windows OS but said this: Adds a stereo analog output and an optical digital output to a Mac® or PC

4: Griffin iMic 2 - Sound card - stereo - USB  Model#: GC16035

OS Required:  Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 7, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Apple MacOS X 10.6, Apple MacOS X 10.5

5: StarTech.com Virtual 7.1 USB Stereo External Sound Card.

Manufacturer: StarTech.com        Manufacturer Part Number: ICUSBAUDIO7

Model No:    ICUSBAUDIO7

6: SIIG CE-S00012-S2 7.1 Channel External Sound Card
Model No:    CE-S00012-S2
Didn't specify OS that I could see.

7: SteelSeries Siberia USB Sound Card (Black)
model number: 51004

Operating Systems: Win XP/Vista/Win 2000/Win 98/Win ME/Mac OS or a Sony PlayStation 3

8: Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Go! Pro USB Audio System with THX SB1290

model number: SB1290
The X-Fi Go! Pro sound card is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP (Professional x64 Edition, Service Pack 2 or above), Windows Vista, and Windows 7. (The card is not Mac compatible.)

9: Andrea Electronics C1-1021450-1 model USB-SA-1 High Fidelity External Digital Sound Card with Noise Reduction Technology.

Win98 SE / Win 2000 / Win XP and Vista Compatible, Mac OS9/10 (without Andrea Software [what's this mean]) Compatible, Includes Andrea's complete PureAudioTM Voice Solutions Software Suite
Item model numberC1-1021450-1

10: Siig 7.1 Channel Usb Surround Sound Card With Built-In Amplifier Reduces Unwanted Noises
No model number I could find . Says this: Easily add sound to any notebook or desktop computer with this USB audio adapter. Whether you have a Home Theater PC or a gaming system, this adapter will give you full 7.1 channel surround sound for a truly immersive experience.  Didn't specify OS.

[suniljp]

You can go for a medium range sound card creative is a good option.

[Alliciat]

I've decided I am interested in this specific Sound card:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soundblaster-Audio-System-SB1290/dp/B0044DEDC0/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1371514089&sr=1-6&keywords=usb+external+sound+card

However, it does show an installation cd. This concerns me, so I have not ordered yet.

With my current windows sound card no longer working, can this cause problems with the usb sound card installation process? Or would this 'installation be optional', and the sound card really is just plug and play like it claims?

[suniljp]

Have seen the USB sound card you have posted. It has an installation disk. It contains the software and drivers for the card to work properly. The card has special features by installing the software you can make use of those special

features like it say in the link. The USB card has nothing to do with the on board card so it should work as it is a separate piece of hardware.

[Alliciat]

Okay. I'll order it Thursday. Says 7-10 days, but I often get things sooner than they say.

Hopefully I will not have installation issues with it. I'll let you know what happens once it arrives.

Thanks for all your help. Hopefully I will soon have sound again. Never want to do another service pack update ever again. If there are security ones, I'll do those. Grrr.

[Alliciat]

My Creative External sound card arrived today.

I looked over it.

It has a spot to plug in microphones and one for headphones. No place for speakers.

Does this mean I'll only have sound with headphones (which I don't have). I do have ear buds but can't wear them more than a few minutes. I wanted to inquire before I remove all the packageing etc., so if this isn't going to allow for speakers I can return it.

It's Creative sound Blaster X-Fi. Model number: SB1290

3D audio with THX trustudio pro on the go.