How to balance the portable volume with high quality sound output? External sound card! That's right, this is a very convenient and effective solution! Many manufacturers such as innovation, German tanks, and Asus have already introduced external sound cards designed for notebooks as early as 4.5 years ago. These sound cards have the common characteristics: small size, sound quality is quite close to the independent board, and the same through the USB port. Make a connection. Today, the viewers brought two special external sound card decoding products, the new MDAC Mini decoder brought by the ASUS Xonar U1 USB sound card and ARCE at the recent White Swan Sound Show.
Why do you make such a comparison? One is an external sound card, and the other is a decoder. It is basically two different types of products. Is this fair? Please listen to me. In recent years, there has been a growing skepticism about the sound quality of sound cards in the fever industry. It is believed that the sound card has limited improvement in sound, and it is not well qualified for the PCHiFi system. At this time, the decoder has sprung up, providing a new choice for enthusiasts and greatly changing people's perception of PCHiFi. Is the sound card better or the decoder better? With such questions, let's make a simple comparison for everyone.
The ASUS Xonar U1 is a product launched by ASUS in 2007. It looks like a mushroom, so some people dubbed it "Little Mushroom." The white ceramic lacquer makes it very cute, especially for girls. The sound card is divided into upper and lower parts, the upper "mushroom top" is used as the volume knob, and the down button is the mute operation. The breathing light changes from orange to blue when working. The whole machine has only one USB cable, and the headphone output and microphone input in the lower part of the fuselage are very simple. Because I use the Windows 7 system, I need to download the corresponding version of the sound card driver to work.
MDAC Mini is a new product launched by Ai Shi at the Guangzhou White Swan Sound Exhibition last year. As the name suggests Mini, the main must be small. The MDAC Mini is the same size as a regular cigarette case. It is made of aluminum and has a matte finish. On both sides, a USB interface and a headphone output are respectively designed, and on the other side, a blue indicator light and a volume button are used. To be honest, these two buttons have a general feel and a certain touch difference with the rotary control of the Asus small mushroom.
In the test section, on the playback device, I chose the popular innovative Aurvana Air earbuds and Philips SHP9000 headphones.
High-frequency performance, the high-frequency resolution of ASUS small mushroom is good, the details are clearly explained, and the sound of the notebook comes with a certain distance, the listening is very soft, the burr is almost not felt. The opponent MDAC Mini is more brilliant in high-frequency performance, not only excellent resolution, bright but not sharp, the overall transparency of the atmosphere, rich harmonics, giving a crystal-like feeling, transient performance is commendable. This round, the MDAC Mini sound is more flattering than the U1.
In terms of IF, both products have good image formation, full density and good layering. The Asus U1 appears to be more restrained, the sound orientation tends to be neutral, the vocal performance is quite full, but the lack of a little feeling is more straightforward. MDAC Mini's mid-range warmer, vocal interpretation, full and solid, clear and hydrated, full of emotions, in contrast, the neutral U1 may not be as acceptable as MDAC.
Both products show great control at low frequencies. ASUS small mushrooms are more fierce, full of strength and flexibility, listening to some of the most low-frequency songs, clear drums, quite enjoyable, and deep dive, moderate volume, giving a solid feeling. The low frequency of the MDAC Mini is relatively good in terms of medium and high frequency. The elasticity is still full, but the resolution is reduced. The drum is not clear, the volume is a bit too much, and it sounds soft.
In general, the two products are free from the sin of the integrated sound card, such as dark, burr, low-frequency fat and drag, the sound quality is worthy of recognition. If the sound quality of the product, the MDAC Mini is indeed more pleasant than the ASUS U1. But to look at the two products rationally, after all, the ASUS U1 and Ai Shi MDAC Mini are relatively different in age, the technology is far different, and the technical positioning is not the same, the quality gap can still be excusable. Both products are the type that I like, and if you want to choose one, fish and bear's paw, it is difficult to choose.
Standard Cable Ties Co., Ltd. , http://www.nscableties.com