X61s sound card

[zebs]

Hi!

I am somewhat dissappointed with the built in sound card of my Thinkpad. So my question is, what can be done? Is there any way of replacing the card with a better one? If not, what should i buy, any recommendations? USB 2.0 or PC-card(from Creative or similar)?

Thanx!!

[andykrej]

zebs,
depends on what you'll use it for; pro audio recording or surround? I have an E-MU 1616m with pc-card. Sound quality is top pro but without the breakout box, you only have one output. Alternatively there's the Creative Audigy 2 ZS pcmcia haven't tried it, but it looks much more portable than the E-MU.
I guess with USB the choice is much bigger.

[zebs]

Nothing special, just listening to music with a pair of descent earphones... i guess the built in card cant deliver that much amp, or quailty either to be honest...

Someone said that USB soundcards where crappy since the speed was unsufficient. But since 2.0 can transfer up to 60 mb/sec, i cant imagine what type of music requires more than that?

Thanx for your reply!!

[Sportler2k3]

i bought an 5.1 usb soundcard. the sound is ok, ill tell u the name as soon as im at home, pls write me an pm so that i wont forget

greetz

[felixgogo]

Wow, It's odd you find the sound quality poor - I regularly run my X60, X61 and X60s as theatre sound effect machines - running analogue sound straight into the theatre power amps, and the quality is fanastic - I have never needed to run external sound cards. And this is in 200 - 400 seat theatres - and I fill those places with awesome sound levels at pin sharp quality.

Are the headphones OK? Are they too high or low impedance for the PC output? Perhaps try outputting to a diferent device to check.

I would be interested to find out - perhaps your sound is faulty.