I was just wondering what all could be accomplished with the USB audio converter discussed earlier. Is it possible to connect the output directly to a home audio system as well? If so, will downloaded audio files produce output equal to CD quality without taking the conversion step to an actual CD before playing?

I imagine most most people who normally purchase this unit would be doing something other than inspecting speakers with it. Any ideas what they might be using it for? I am hoping there are some other applications to help justify the cost. If not maybe a used one might show up on ebay. The best price I found so far is $159.

 

It's just a sound card over usb. It is a good sounding one, but it is not magic. Playing internet audio sounds as good as it can. If it is uncompressed, it is the equal of CD. If it is compressed, it is as good as the compression job. I found streaming audio on the internet was both better and worse than I imagined, depending on how good the source was. Incredible sounding mp3s off of my laptop were cool to hear...

The reason that I got that one is that it does digital in/out as well as analog in/out and in parallel. That is important to me, as my speakers take digital inputs, but my microphone outputs analog. It also is easy to use on a laptop, which makes testing cars easy.

You might look here to figure out what sound card is good for you.

Good measurements do not guarantee good sound, but it is better than nothing. Good measurements do mean it will be good to measure with.

 

I received the pre-amp kit today. It seems like a very nice kit at first glance. I hope to build it sometime this weekend if I get a chance. Is it OK to attach the pre-amp to my home amplifier for testing? If so, do I just connect it to an input and go or is it more complex? Or/And...Can I attach it to my laptop mic input and accomplish some preliminary testing?

Also, your last post discusses your speakers requirement of a digital signal source thus your particular USB audio card selection. Is this to allow the ai-net to work with the Alpine or a another application you are working with?

Oh, I just looked at your original photo where you show your laptop, sound card and S. There appears to be 4 connections to your sound card. I guess L&R input and L&R outputs. I guess you must have used 2 pre-amped inputs; one in each headrest? Is this the typical method for home stereo as well or can I use one mic / pre-amp and accomplish similar results?

I'm trying...
Thanks again for the help.