Which external sound card?

[deadmau5]

I damaged the headphone socket on my laptop by standing on the wire for my headphones and pretty much ripping it out. Now when I plug in the wire to connect to my amp I get interference through the speakers. I'm currently using a Cambridge Audio A5 amp connected to some TDL Nucleus bookshelf speakers, with a decent Belkin 3.5mm to phono to connect laptop to amp.

Now, I would like to get something good, but something that isn't too good for my meagre setup.

Any suggestions?

[Ultuous]

M-Audio Firewire Audiophile for me... I record all my DJ mixes through it and an A5 amp ... Has a nice chunky headphone socket and volume control too (no I'm not sponsored by M-Audio!!!)

Edited by Ultuous on Monday 17th August 19:46

[deadmau5]

I think that exceeds my needs by quite a lot. Thanks anyway.

[headcase]

Id be interested to know, i have a Toshiba laptop and when connected to my amp via the headphone socket the quality is poor (quiet buzzez and hisses when the HDD does stuff) so am wondering is there such a thing as a PMCIA-SPDIF type card thingy available?

[Ultuous]

deadmau5 said:

I think that exceeds my needs by quite a lot. Thanks anyway.

How much are you are looking to spend? Most of the M-Audio stuff is pretty decent, but there were several USB devices for around 30 quid last time I looked that would probably be a good upgrade from onboard sound!

[deadmau5]

Ultuous said:

deadmau5 said:

I think that exceeds my needs by quite a lot. Thanks anyway.

How much are you are looking to spend? Most of the M-Audio stuff is pretty decent, but there were several USB devices for around 30 quid last time I looked that would probably be a good upgrade from onboard sound!

Sorry I should have specified a price. That is more like my budget.

Anyway, I've just ordered this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-XMOD-Sound-Xtreme...

Ordered off ebay, £28.99 delivered.

[Ultuous]

Sweet - looks like a neat bit of kit!