Music off of a laptop

MillerLiteScott
MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
edited December 2008 in Electronics
Polkies,

I supply music for a fundraiser for my daughters school. Last year I used a freebee Yamaha 5 disc CD player with burnt discs. This year I thought that I would use iTunes off of my laptop for more song choice flexibility. Sound quality is not the driving force, but is there a better way to get music from my laptop to analog inputs? I have the 1/8" headphone output that I currently use but it looks cheesy and the plug is in the front of my laptop.

I am thinking something USB. I am not looking to spend a lot of money because I really don't have a use for it.

A while back I looked for some USB DAC's but they were pricey and I really don't have a need for a DAC at this time.

Thanks

Scott
I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
Post edited by MillerLiteScott on
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Comments

  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,462
    edited November 2008
    I have a USB device by Creative that works real nice. It is the X-FI. Mine does some processing "Crystalizer" to restore dynamic range and pseudo 3D sound. The latest version is a bit more capable and sells for ~$60.
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited November 2008
    The 1/8 to dual RCA cable is always how I ran that through my HT setup.......

    I hate when they put those jacks in the front personally, but oh well...
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • eloplayspolo
    eloplayspolo Posts: 1,117
    edited November 2008
    Does ur laptop have HDMI out?
    2013 Toyota Prius
    Audible Physics 3 Way: H6MB, AR3-A, AR2.0
    Image Dynamics iDMax 12" D2v4
    (2) Alpine PDX-V9 Bridged, Alpine PDX-M12 (500w Mid-Bass, 200w Mid, 200w Tweet, 1200w Sub)
    Mosconi 6to8 v8
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2008
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118107
    Is this what you are looking for?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited December 2008
    The cheapest route is an USB soundcard from Creative, Turtle Beach, or the likes - probably around $30-70. They will get the job done, but I would not expect too much in terms of sound quality.

    The next step up would be an entry level USB DAC like the Fubar II, Super Pro DAC707SE, or Pro-ject which are around $120-170.

    If you think that you may want to use the PC with your home system at some point, a USB to SPDIF converter from Trends or Hagerman are nice options, as you can feed an external DAC or HT receiver/processor with SPDIF, and these units also have an 1/8" analog out. They are $130-180.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited December 2008
    You could also try somethign like the Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 USB-Audio Interface at Amazon for $30.
    No drivers to load, you can use regular ICs (RCAs on both ends), it also has SPDIF/Optical outs if you decide to go that route later.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited December 2008
    Good call on the Behringer - seems to be a good low cost option.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited December 2008
    I'm currently usb Soundblaster 24bit sound card I got from best buy. It has digital coax and optical connections, and analog connections. As far as I know using the optical to the receiver, then the receiver does the processing. I could be wrong though.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • MLZ
    MLZ Posts: 214
    edited December 2008
    If 2 channel works for you, I have been very happy with my Silverstone EB01 USB DAC @ $90.00. It gets its power from the USB port, so you do not need another wall wart.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=EB01&x=14&y=24
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited December 2008
    Thanks everyone. Those are some good options to look into.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • eloplayspolo
    eloplayspolo Posts: 1,117
    edited December 2008
    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Sound_Cards/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A2125443
    2013 Toyota Prius
    Audible Physics 3 Way: H6MB, AR3-A, AR2.0
    Image Dynamics iDMax 12" D2v4
    (2) Alpine PDX-V9 Bridged, Alpine PDX-M12 (500w Mid-Bass, 200w Mid, 200w Tweet, 1200w Sub)
    Mosconi 6to8 v8
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