Upgrading sound on laptop.

[qtjr168]

I'm really sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I thought this was the most relevant one.

Okay, so I've recently done some research because I wanna upgrade the sound quality of my laptop. Just throwing this out there just in case it's relevant first though:
- Using a pair of Steelseries H Wireless
- Laptop is Asus G751J
- Running Windows 8 on it

So, like I was saying, I've done some research and apparently optical is a lot better than the standard headphone jack. So here I go to best buy buying an optical cable. Now my dumb ass forgot to check if my laptop even had an optical out on it in the first place, and like I thought, it doesn't. I've done some research again so my options are:
1. Get an optical to S/PDIF adapter
2. Get an external USB soundcard

I'm leaning towards #2 which is why I'm here, since I'm doing an upgrade, might as well upgrade the soundcard as well since apparently the factory one sucks. Now my problem is that I'm not sure what I should be looking for in a soundcard to begin with, not sure how to judge them, and what will give me the best bang of the buck. I've posted all the specs that I think would be relevant into choosing one but please let me know if need some more info. My budget is currently ~$100ish for the soundcard. Thanks a lot, community!

 

[shotgunz]

Something like Schiit fulla or FiiO E07k are some of the more popular external headphone DAC/amps (sound card) under $100.

The E07K also is battery powered, somewhat more powerful and can connect to your phone too. Can also use only the amplifier section to amplify anything audio coming out of a 3.5mm jack

The Fulla looks better, more compact, is made in USA and costumer service is better in case something goes wrong like accidentally breaking it. Can also connect to a phone but will use power from the phone though.

 

[qtjr168]

Something like Schiit fulla or FiiO E07k are some of the more popular external headphone DAC/amps (sound card) under $100.

The E07K also is battery powered, somewhat more powerful and can connect to your phone too. Can also use only the amplifier section to amplify anything audio coming out of a 3.5mm jack

The Fulla looks better, more compact, is made in USA and costumer service is better in case something goes wrong like accidentally breaking it. Can also connect to a phone but will use power from the phone though.

Well, not sure which one I should go for. I prefer quality over amplifying anything, since my headphones will only mainly be used for music/gaming/calls/movies. I'm actually planning on trying and playing music through inbuilt speakers on the laptop while using my headphones for the game/comms. Not sure if the external sound card would interfere with any of my plans though?

 

[americanaudiophile]

If you use a USB DAC you need one that has enough power to drive headphones. One example of these might be the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS. Many are designed to connect to an amp and cannot drive headphones or speakers without additional equipment.
I would think that when you listen to music you would want the much higher quality that the DAC headphone combo would give you. Some USB DAC headphone amps will also drive speakers too so you could add quality speakers. An example would be the Teac AI-301DA.

 

[qtjr168]

If you use a USB DAC you need one that has enough power to drive headphones. One example of these might be the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic XS. Many are designed to connect to an amp and cannot drive headphones or speakers without additional equipment.
I would think that when you listen to music you would want the much higher quality that the DAC headphone combo would give you. Some USB DAC headphone amps will also drive speakers too so you could add quality speakers. An example would be the Teac AI-301DA.

Well my budget for the external sound card would be ~100$. And the ones you linked me are a bit too expensive for me atm, I'm also considering what you said. If there's a decent external sound card for ~100$ that can get me headphones and some speakers plugged in, that'd be awesome. Cause I'm considering getting an external speaker as well for better audio quality, since the inbuilt ones on mine aren't... really very good. Well, they're decent.

Edit: Budget for the external sound card is ~100$, and same with speakers, budget for it would be ~100$ =O

 

[qtjr168]

Anyone can help? Or is this not the section I should be posting in for my question?