Creative notebook soundcards

SupremeMoFo · 14th February 2008, 8:31 PM

I'm interested in one of these, but am having a bit of trouble finding out whether they'll actually do what I want. I need them to be able to drive a fairly hefty set of headphones (the impedance isn't that high, but they need a fair bit of power to drive). As is, only the headphone output of my Yamaha stereo amp can drive these things (they're Philips SBC HP1000s, BTW), AC97 audio doesn't have the powa and neither does my Creative Zen.

So, by comparison to onboard audio and an MP3 player, how much power do the Creative cards put out?

Liam. · 14th February 2008, 9:55 PM

USB card an option? EMU

SupremeMoFo · 14th February 2008, 10:41 PM

um... I'm guessing you're talking about the E-MU 0202? Which doesn't seem to be available in Australia? And is US$170 shipped?

SupremeMoFo · 16th February 2008, 9:08 PM

... noone has any advice?

oohms · 17th February 2008, 3:59 PM

Maybe get a headphone amp?

Kaine[zof] · 17th February 2008, 4:47 PM

I think you'll be looking at a headphone amp to get the best out of them if they are that hard to drive. I can't see the PCMCIA card having any more power than what you've got currently.

SupremeMoFo · 17th February 2008, 9:28 PM

Hmm, OK, cheers. Was looking at that, just figured it'll have to run through my MP3 player to get decent sound quality anyway. Thanks guys!

SupremeMoFo · 23rd February 2008, 12:19 AM

Strange. New (old) laptop - Dell Inspiron 1300 - has the power to drive them without distorting. Take that AC97

kingyubbo · 23rd February 2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupremeMoFo

Hmm, OK, cheers. Was looking at that, just figured it'll have to run through my MP3 player to get decent sound quality anyway. Thanks guys!

Cos your MP3 player has higher output power. Regarding your PC, you would get no more power if you did get a Creative Soundcard. You'd get better sound quality, but if you want to fully utilize those headphones of yours, you might need to go for:

http://www.headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=326

Tis better than what notebooks have.

SupremeMoFo · 23rd February 2008, 6:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingyubbo

Cos your MP3 player has higher output power. Regarding your PC, you would get no more power if you did get a Creative Soundcard. You'd get better sound quality, but if you want to fully utilize those headphones of yours, you might need to go for:

http://www.headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=326

Tis better than what notebooks have.

No, not quite - the computer has a LOT more power than the MP3 player but because it's all cheap shit it distorts like nothing else (desktop). The laptop doesn't give clean sound, but is largely distortion free. The MP3 player has no distortion and no power either.

kingyubbo · 25th February 2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupremeMoFo

No, not quite - the computer has a LOT more power than the MP3 player but because it's all cheap shit it distorts like nothing else (desktop). The laptop doesn't give clean sound, but is largely distortion free. The MP3 player has no distortion and no power either.

I worded things a little incorrectly. What i meant was the sound quality is better from the MP3 player than the cheapy laptop one and that by getting the extra amp, he/she will be able to give his headphones that extra edge. By getting the Creative soundcard won't get him any better power output.

14th February 2008, 8:31 PM	#1
SupremeMoFo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,854	Creative notebook soundcards I'm interested in one of these, but am having a bit of trouble finding out whether they'll actually do what I want. I need them to be able to drive a fairly hefty set of headphones (the impedance isn't that high, but they need a fair bit of power to drive). As is, only the headphone output of my Yamaha stereo amp can drive these things (they're Philips SBC HP1000s, BTW), AC97 audio doesn't have the powa and neither does my Creative Zen. So, by comparison to onboard audio and an MP3 player, how much power do the Creative cards put out?

14th February 2008, 9:55 PM	#2
Liam. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 859	USB card an option? EMU

14th February 2008, 10:41 PM	#3
SupremeMoFo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,854	um... I'm guessing you're talking about the E-MU 0202? Which doesn't seem to be available in Australia? And is US$170 shipped?

16th February 2008, 9:08 PM	#4
SupremeMoFo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,854	... noone has any advice?

17th February 2008, 3:59 PM	#5
oohms Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne 3016 Posts: 2,183	Maybe get a headphone amp?

17th February 2008, 4:47 PM	#6
Kaine[zof] Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,136	I think you'll be looking at a headphone amp to get the best out of them if they are that hard to drive. I can't see the PCMCIA card having any more power than what you've got currently.

17th February 2008, 9:28 PM	#7
SupremeMoFo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,854	Hmm, OK, cheers. Was looking at that, just figured it'll have to run through my MP3 player to get decent sound quality anyway. Thanks guys!

23rd February 2008, 12:19 AM	#8
SupremeMoFo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 3,854	Strange. New (old) laptop - Dell Inspiron 1300 - has the power to drive them without distorting. Take that AC97