INTERACT FORUM

Devices => Sound Cards, DAC's, Receivers, Speakers, and Headphones => Topic started by: PP43 on October 21, 2004, 01:38:14 pm

Title: USB External audio box
Post by: PP43 on October 21, 2004, 01:38:14 pm
Anyone using external USB devices for different zones? If so what type are you using?
Anyone using the Griffin technology One? imic one
Title: Re:USB External audio box
Post by: Bill Kearney on November 07, 2004, 09:40:44 am
I've got a Creative MP3 usb sound card attached as a second zone.  It appears to work reasonably well.  I've only just started using MC so I can't really add much more.  The only thing that sort of concerns me is that it's rather a bit much work to switch between zones.  I'd love to have a simpler way to jump from one zone to another.
Title: Re:USB External audio box
Post by: patricklang on November 24, 2004, 04:19:57 pm
I happen to own an M-Audio Sonica and Griffin iMic as well.  I have not used either as a second zone.

The iMic works without any special drivers and is cheaper, but the Sonica sounds significantly better and supports 24bit/96khz.  The sonica is about on par with the Creative Labs sblive in terms of sound quality.

If you're going to be doing a long cable run (>10 feet or so), I would not recommend either of these cards, the signal level is less than a typical internal card.

Do you have any specific things that you want me to try with either of them?
Title: Re: USB External audio box
Post by: Bill Kearney on March 28, 2005, 05:13:03 pm
I've got creative mp3, extigy and now an FM transmitter that lists itself as 'usb speakers'.  All work just fine with MC11 as independent zones.

What SUCKS though is there's no way to switch zones without using the keyboard.  It would be very helpful to have an on-screen button or toolbar item that would allow switching zones.  A simple 'next zone' action would be nice.  Having next/prev or zone selectable ones would be niceer but not 'as necessary'.

Having to use Ctrl-T from the keyboard sucks when you have a wall-mounted touchscreen display.
Title: Re: USB External audio box
Post by: Markeau on March 31, 2005, 07:07:47 pm
I use the Xitel Pro HiFi Link to connect my PC to my Yamaha DSPA1 HT amp via optical TOSLINK, works great ... it comes with a 50' TOSLINK, 50' coax, and 50' double phono cable ... but it does not support ASIO