Decent 5.1 USB card that works

[Ploki]

...and preferably won't break the bank.

Anyone has any suggestions? I found that LogiLink 7.1 thingie, but I don't know whether it works with OS X well or not.

Mind you, I have decent audio interfaces for work, but I need something light and stupid for simple 5.1 playback.

 

[ColdCase]

If you have a thunderbolt port, the Startech Thunderbolt2 dock has optical outs

"the TB2DOCK4KDHC offers an SPDIF port so you can take advantage of your MacBook 5.1 digital optical audio capabilities."

Dunno if $250 breaks your bank.... but in comparison to a $50-$75 USB device I suppose so

 

[Dandu]

If its for pass trough 5.1 (AC3 or DTS), you can use the optical output (if you have a Mac with that) or a Aureon dual usb from terratec.

For analogic output with 3 jack, it's complicated. I use a cheap (and not very good) USB sound card found on eBay for that.

 

[Ploki]

If you have a thunderbolt port, the Startech Thunderbolt2 dock has optical outs

"the TB2DOCK4KDHC offers an SPDIF port so you can take advantage of your MacBook 5.1 digital optical audio capabilities."

Dunno if $250 breaks your bank.... but in comparison to a $50-$75 USB device I suppose so

Should've clarified I need analog out.

If its for pass trough 5.1 (AC3 or DTS), you can use the optical output (if you have a Mac with that) or a Aureon dual usb from terratec.

For analogic output with 3 jack, it's complicated. I use a cheap (and not very good) USB sound card found on eBay for that.

Can you link me which one you used? I don't care about quality, I have my RME for that. I need something thats cheap and small.

while we're at it, does anyone know any MacBook Optical to 5.1 analog decoders?

 

[priitv8]

while we're at it, does anyone know any MacBook Optical to 5.1 analog decoders?

First hit from Goo.gl
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1KT0KX2924
http://www.amazon.com/Coosis-Surround-Digital-Decoder-Converter/dp/B009W5B77E
http://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/hdar_review.html

 

[Dandu]

Should've clarified I need analog out.



Can you link me which one you used? I don't care about quality, I have my RME for that. I need something thats cheap and small.

while we're at it, does anyone know any MacBook Optical to 5.1 analog decoders?

I use a think like that : http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-6-Chann...Card-Adapter-Laptop-Notebook-PC-/251793898961

Just configure it to 5.1 (6 channels) on audio/midi setup.