This review will be sparse as my recall of the events surrounding the install of this sound card are few. I remember, vaguely, opening the packaging and maybe four seconds of pondering if I should install the driver cd (did it come with a cd?) before the movie I had playing started coming out of my speakers. Setup was 1-step, plug in (on Windows XP Home).
It has a microphone and a headphone/speaker port on front, is probably 3-4 inches long (does stick out a ways from the computer). I'm able to yank (yes, yank) headphones from it without pulling it out of the usb port (barely, just keep in mind).
I wanted something that was cheap and simple, this fits the bill. It came with a small usb extension (less thank 6 inches if I recall) and a cap (now in the trash). Sound quality is as good as original sound card (vostro 200 factory default) that I fried. StarTech.com USB 2.0 To Audio Adapter
At the time of my writing, there are only 2 other reviews; one who's worked perfectly and loved it and one who's didn't and hated it. I would have hesitated, therefore, to buy this for myself, but had seen a majority of very positive reviews for this product on Newegg (Amazon offered free super saver shipping when purchasing with another item, so I saved over $6 using Amazon!). Mine arrived, plugged in, works 100% and quality is perfect (complete silence when no audio is being played, as opposed to my built-in motherboard audio which was always static filled). No drivers needed, Windows 7 saw it and installed it. Excellent for Skype. Nothing else to say, a great product.
When the sound on my laptop suddenly quit, I envisioned many $ to investigate and repair it. On a whim I Googled "USB audio" and up popped this item. It was the least expensive of a half-dozen or so similar items so I chose it, figuring that if it didn't do the job I wouldn't be out much. It arrived promptly and I plugged it into a USB slot, plugged my speakers into one of the two outlets and ...instant sound - and of high quality. I'm very pleased with it.
I use this little device when I want to use my headphones late at night to edit music recordings I make. I have had no problems at all with this little device. Just plug it into any usb port and plug in a set of headphones BEFORE you open an application that will play a sound. That way it becomes the default device that application will use. Use your systems volume control to control the sound.
Purchased from Antonline through Amazon, it did not work first time. Antonline refused to take back, their reason was I damaged the "package when opening to get the item out!! Also I downloaded the driver when it did not work to try and correct things, this was another reason they refused to replace. If and only if I could send the item back in perfect packaging so they could re-sell to some other unsuspecting person would they agree to replace it. What a rip-off, I asked them how a person could open the package without ANY damage and try to use the product. It came with a disc, but if you use it, they won't let you return the product. So why even send a disc?? Complete piece of JUNK from a craphole seller. Amazon did honor their warranty so I did get my money back, but the seller is at fault 100%
This adapter is the first external sound adapter I bought so I cannot say how good it is compared to other similar products. But my experience is OK. It's working well for windows7(though you have to struggle setting it up). You have to install one driver for each USB port. It doesn't work for linux, at least my distro(Ubunto 11), unfortunately. The sound quality is... better than nothing. So in general. When you need to buy a adapter, usually you have no choice, right?
Unlike cheaply made adapters from China, this adapter works flawlessly from the moment you plug it in to your PC. It also has a very sturdy case, which can take a beating without breaking open like other cheap competitors.
This usb audio adapter works great on my Macbook pro. I needed an interface to be able to use a microphone headset that has too low of mic input signal to work with the mac's audio in port. I just plugged this into the mac, plugged the headset into the interface and it was working. Sound quality is excellent and very quiet when no sound is coming from the computer.
I give this 5 stars with a caveat attached: Use the included short extension cable to prevent undo force on the port on the laptop and to keep from blocking any other ports as this is fairly wide.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for an external sound card.
This ones very easy to use, just plugged in. I heard some noise at back ground and the sound is not stereo. The length of the entrance is too short to be plugged into the USB port. Not very impressive with it. - Audio - Sound Card - Microphone - External Sound Card'
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