USB Sound Card

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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    I should mention that I'm using Winamp for audio playback.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    Scratch that...
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    OK, so I got this somewhat figured out. I think the cracking and pop sounds are related to CPU usage, as it only happens when I have a bunch of other stuff open at the same time.

    Keep in mind my machine is THAT old, I'm running a Q6600 overclocked at 3.6 and plenty of ram and all that.

    Winamp is currently set to use the DirectSound driver, and under normal conditions playback is fine but when I have other stuff going on I get the issues.

    One thing I do notice is there is a delay with the audio as well. So when I start a song or click on something there's a delay before I get the sound...
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited January 2010
    Does it also work with Linux? I see Windows and Mac listed officially so there must be a way to get it to run in Linux. If you continue having problems, I suggest you borrow one of my M-Audio Transit's and give it a try. Works like a charm in both Windows and Linux.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    I have not tried it on the Linux box yet. I may take you up on the Transit if you have an extra one. I like the idea of the e-mu, but also like the simplicity of the Transit
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,485
    edited January 2010
    Try to figure out if Winamp will let you choose the ASIO driver. Set buffer to 50ms or greater. If Winamp won't let you use ASIO, maybe consider switching to Foobar2000. I have zero problems with my Emu setup using Foobar (under Windows 7)
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited January 2010
    billbillw wrote: »
    Try to figure out if Winamp will let you choose the ASIO driver. Set buffer to 50ms or greater. If Winamp won't let you use ASIO, maybe consider switching to Foobar2000. I have zero problems with my Emu setup using Foobar (under Windows 7)

    There should be a plugin for Winamp ASIO. For the best playback experience (IMHO) for Windows, I would suggest MediaMonkey. I am working on compiling Banshee for Windows but that might not be available anytime soon due to lack of time.
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  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    OK, so I got this somewhat figured out. I think the cracking and pop sounds are related to CPU usage, as it only happens when I have a bunch of other stuff open at the same time.

    Keep in mind my machine is THAT old, I'm running a Q6600 overclocked at 3.6 and plenty of ram and all that.

    Winamp is currently set to use the DirectSound driver, and under normal conditions playback is fine but when I have other stuff going on I get the issues.

    One thing I do notice is there is a delay with the audio as well. So when I start a song or click on something there's a delay before I get the sound...

    Hears your problem your OC is unstable, try bringing back down to stock and see if problem gos away, I'm almost willing to be bet money thats the problem.

    Memory amount or any other spec shouldn't cause any problems with audio play back you need next to nothing to get some music juice flowing, even the most basic systems can handle the load.

    IF you MUST run your CPU that high out of spec try maybe some more volts or better cooling.

    But in the mean try return to stock and see if problem gos away.

    My friend had the same problem
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
    Monitor 40s, back
    PSW10:(

    H/k AVR 325
    Sansui Tape Deck
    Pioneer PD-5010 CD player

    Sennheiser HD 650s :D
    Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 DAC

    AMD Phenom II 940 @ 3.8 prime stabel
    4 gigs 1066, cas 5
    XFX 4890 1gig
    Seagate 1tb 7200.12
    Creative X-fI Titanium Fatal1ty
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    I've got everything overvolted. I think my OC is fine. I've run every stability test I can find, including a 48 hour Prime95 test, all with excellent results. My temps never exceed 50 even with that overclocked under full load in prime, occt, everest, or everyday use, I attribute that to my badass cooler.

    Tomorrow I will try switching over to the other bios with no ov just to confirm, but I don't think this is the issue.

    I will give the asio plugin a shot, any idea why I'm getting a delay outside of winamp? So when I click a link in Ie for example there is a slight delay. I can turn off windows sounds, and am trying to decide if the delay is an issue otherwise since there is no gaming on this PC, but I'd still like to understand what is happening.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    OC isn't the problem, just confirmed that.

    I think my fundamental problem is that I want to be able to use this like a regular computer and have the external sound and I don't think that's gonna happen.

    I want to be able to have Photoshop, Vue, AfterEffects and Dreamweaver all open at the same time and still be able to listen to my music, and it doesn't sound like that's a realistic option.

    I don't really need the recording stuff, and this thing doesn't HAVE to be an external card, so maybe I would just be better off with an internal card that has it's own hardware...
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  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    OC isn't the problem, just confirmed that.

    I think my fundamental problem is that I want to be able to use this like a regular computer and have the external sound and I don't think that's gonna happen.

    I want to be able to have Photoshop, Vue, AfterEffects and Dreamweaver all open at the same time and still be able to listen to my music, and it doesn't sound like that's a realistic option.

    I don't really need the recording stuff, and this thing doesn't HAVE to be an external card, so maybe I would just be better off with an internal card that has it's own hardware...

    Dude i can play new DX10 games with max settings at 1920x1080, Fold fold proteins, run Autodesk inventor, run a virus scan and play music GREAT!(my CPU has been at 100% 24/7 for 3 months) and my CPU is not that much faster then yours we are talking within maybe 5%-10%.

    Cpu usage no matter how high should NOT effect your SQ, Yes prime 95 and all the other stability testes are good but not bullet proof I've had a PC pass 24hours of stability testing only to fail when i tired to fold some proteins with Folding@home.

    But if you say the OC is not the problem then i don't know what is but I can tell you that there is a hardware/software problem going here it is not just the fact that you have high CPU usage.

    But yes internal card is a better idea to begin with IMO.
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
    Monitor 40s, back
    PSW10:(

    H/k AVR 325
    Sansui Tape Deck
    Pioneer PD-5010 CD player

    Sennheiser HD 650s :D
    Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 DAC

    AMD Phenom II 940 @ 3.8 prime stabel
    4 gigs 1066, cas 5
    XFX 4890 1gig
    Seagate 1tb 7200.12
    Creative X-fI Titanium Fatal1ty
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2010
    Well I'm on card #4, and think I've finally got it figured out.

    I decided on an internal card, and ended up with the Asus Xonar D2X, THIS one.

    I thought the X-Fi I have in my gaming PC was an awesome card, but this thing blows it away, especially on lossless hi-rez audio. The X-Fi is a fine card, but it's not on the same level as the Xonar, not sure about the specs of each card, all I can comment on is how they sound.

    I do still need something for the laptop, so Sami let me know if you have one of those M-Audio Transit things laying around I can try for a few days, hate to spend yet another $100 on something I haven't tried if I don't have to...

    Thanks everyone for the help and tips, now all I need to do is pick up a good headphone amp and I'm done with the computer rig. This ended up being more expensive and frustrating than I wanted, but a good learning experience.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2010
    Let me know if you're going to be around Flower Mound (my work) or the airport (home), and I can have one of those cards ready for you.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,485
    edited February 2010
    That's pricey! Glad it worked out for you though. Ultimately, I think the higher end PCI cards are always going to be more stable than a USB type device.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2010
    wtf?
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2010
    No idea... lol. It came out of no where.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited February 2010
    Yeah weird - a total cut and paste of post #2.

    I feel a little violated. :)
    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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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2010
    I picked up an EMU 1212m for $40... gonna give it a go tomorrow :)

    Wait.. need cables. What should I use to hook this to my preamp/amp?

    It's 1/4 balanced TRS, but you can use 1/4 unbalanced. There are zero RCAs on this unit.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,485
    edited February 2010
    nguyendot wrote: »
    I picked up an EMU 1212m for $40... gonna give it a go tomorrow :)

    Wait.. need cables. What should I use to hook this to my preamp/amp?

    It's 1/4 balanced TRS, but you can use 1/4 unbalanced. There are zero RCAs on this unit.

    Nice deal, I mean STEAL. That's a great card, although not USB ;) As far as connections, I just went to my local Ratshack and picked up a couple of 1/4" mono/RCA adapter plugs, then used my existing cables.
    Something like this, but mine was gold plated.
    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062466
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2010
    Thanks for the info. The local guitar center has weird deals all the time. I'm going to stop by rat shack and see if I can pick those up.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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