Worth it to get an external sound card?

[aaquib]

I purchased the Logitech Z-5500 and am now considering whether or not I'd be able to justify spending about $100 on an external card. Would it give me a significant boost in sound?

Also, would it be worth it picking up an optical able over the standard cable that comes with it?

 

[emt1]

I purchased the Logitech Z-5500 and am now considering whether or not I'd be able to justify spending about $100 on an external card. Would it give me a significant boost in sound?

Also, would it be worth it picking up an optical able over the standard cable that comes with it?

You have a Mac. No. The optical cable might be nice though.

 

[waw74]

if you want 5.1 sound out of your mac, you must use optical.
if you are using digital output, you really won't see (hear) a significant difference between your macbook and an external card.

for optical cables check out monoprice. Prices there can't be beat. (good prices on any cable you need - DVI, HDMI, etc...)
link goes to correct page, scroll down to "Toslink to Mini Plug" for the cable you need.

 

[aaquib]

if you want 5.1 sound out of your mac, you must use optical.
if you are using digital output, you really won't see (hear) a significant difference between your macbook and an external card.

for optical cables check out monoprice. Prices there can't be beat. (good prices on any cable you need - DVI, HDMI, etc...)
link goes to correct page, scroll down to "Toslink to Mini Plug" for the cable you need.

Thanks for the link!

Is this a good one?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1558&seq=1&format=2

 

[binh514]

i have a noob question here lol I have an imac Aluminium 2.8 and i have logitech z560 4.1. The external sound card would make a difference ? I'm using a 2$ cable right now lol http://www.frontx.com/pro/c215_012.html . So any suggestion for a good external sound card ?? theres so many usb , firewire etc ...

 

[emt1]

Did you read the thread? You have a Mac. You don't need a sound card.

 

[binh514]

My logitech z560 dont have Optical output....

 

[Tesselator]

Did you read the thread? You have a Mac. You don't need a sound card.

Maybe he means Audio Interface?

I have a few. I like the EDIROL UA-1000 best for right now:

The M-Audio oZone is nice too (it has a keyboard as well):