All I Want Is A SoundCard!!!!

[dotdotdot]

I have a MacBook Pro 15" without the ExpressCard slot.

I've been doing research since I got the computer (and even a little before) about any external soundcard solution using either USB or FireWire to make my music sound better.

There are so many options for Windows, but none for Mac. It's incredibly frustrating. All I want is the ability to hook up a 5.1 analog speaker set to my Mac, with good quality output. And if I have a 2.1 system, I want it to sound better than the Mac's built-in output.

Do external soundcards for Mac even exist below $500???

 

[skinniezinho]

Don't know about prices but you have here USB and here firewire.
And more here.

 

[adrian.oconnor]

They do exist, and most are supported on OS X out of the box (unlike on Windows). The other poster already linked M-audio -- I'll second them.

However, did you know the MBP already has digital out? The headphone jack is a combined analog/digital socket (mini-TOS), so you just need the right cable to hook up your receiver..

http://www.amazon.com/6ft-Toslink-Mini-Cable/dp/B000FMXKC8

I think that's the most common cable, but you'll need to do your research. I think it outputs AC3 and DTS.