[milhaus]

Anybody out there using the iMic? I'm not impressed with the sound I get from my sound out port (via adater) into my NAD system with Mission speakers. Just sounds like crap. Does the digital help? Is all the quality lost when you translate it back into analog? I'll still have to use an headphones to RCA adapter, right?
Thanks.

[zigzag]

Not sure what you're asking - sounds like you're looking for a USB-analog output device. I'm not familiar with any myself, but as far as I know, iMic is only an input device.

What exactly is wrong with the sound you're getting? Distortion? Low levels? Hum? Are you playing CD's, or MP3's?

You could try Soundsticks - they are USB-driven speakers.

[milhaus]

The specs on the iMic says: "Both 1/8" stereo inputs and outputs."
I'm just saying that the sound on the PB out to a NAD integrated amp and Mission speakers sound way, way worse than my Yamaha CD player. Yes, I know they aren't quite the same, and that I should probably not expect great sound from the PB, but I'd like an improvement just the same. It sounds only marginally better when using a CD instead of playing MP3s, so just wondering.

[zigzag]

You're right - the iMic website says that it's also a USB output device. My apologies. I haven't seen any reports as to how well it works as an output to stereo.

Someone more familiar with the sound-out circuitry of the PB might be more help than I am here. If you're using a 1/8" to RCA stereo adapter, and plugging it into a line-level input on your receiver (tape, aux, or CD - not phono), you should be OK.

Here's a thought - do you have the volume setting on your PB turned all the way up? If not, you may be getting a lousy signal-to-noise ratio.

There was recently a lengthy "USB audio" thread on one of the boards - if you do a search for it, it might be of some help. Good luck.

[aircargo]

I'm not sure about your particular amp, or the output from your PB, but I'd try setting the PB output at the lowest volume setting and working up from there. Just a guess, but if the volume on the PB output is too high, maybe it's causing distortion and audio "clipping" in your amp. Just applying some old microphone-preamp-amp methods that I've had to deal with in the past. Maybe you've already tried it.
Just a shot in the dark.

regards
Doug

[mr100percent]

I've used USB external speakers, and the sound is really, really clear, just so you know, plus I believe you can use the equalizer in the sounds control panel, but I think you might need OS 8.6 or OS 9 for full support