Reddit reviews StarTech.com 5.1 Channel PCI Surround Sound Card Adapter - PCI Sound Card - 5.1 Sound Card - Audio Card - Computer Sound Card (PCISOUND5CH2)
We found 7 Reddit comments about StarTech.com 5.1 Channel PCI Surround Sound Card Adapter - PCI Sound Card - 5.1 Sound Card - Audio Card - Computer Sound Card (PCISOUND5CH2). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
5.1 channel Surround sound output and Mic/line audio input via 3.5mm mini-jacksSupports up to 48kHz/16-bit sampling rateIncludes low profile/half-height installation bracketSupports hrtf 3D audio, Microsoft direct sound/ direct sound 3D, and a3dSupports PCI version 2.2 with acpiFits into full or low profile/small form factor (SFF) systems, with a dual profile designUpgrade your audio listening experience with 5.1 channel surround sound output5.1 channel surround sound output and mic/line audio input via 3.5mm mini-jacksSupports up to 48KHz/16-bit sampling rateSupports HRTF 3D audio, Microsoft DirectSound/ DirectSound 3D, and A3DSupports PCI Version 2.2 with ACPIFull-Duplex operation for recording and playbackOS Compatibility : Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 Windows Server 2003, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2 Linux 2.6.x to 4.11.x LTS Versions Only
It's an amplifier board.
Specifically this amp board
Transducers
Power supply for amp/transducers
There's a dedicated PCI sound card in my PC. I'm using SimVibe software(must have) to drive the amp/transducers. Any PCI 5.1 sound card will work.
My PC is on the other side of the room so I'm using these y cable extensions. And this speaker wire
This is the sound card I bought, but i would buy a better one if I had to do it again.
I'm struggling to think of much else!
Can you try the headset in your phone (without the splitter this time) and confirm that it does work properly there? Also how about trying some other microphone/headset in your PC?
An odd part from your answers is that the back ports give you nothing... Are they certainly the right ones? Can you make sure your speakers aren't set to the wrong configuration (see here)? A photo of the back of your computer would be nice to confirm. I might take a poke around the BIOS in case the ports have been accidentally disabled somehow.
If it's certainly the PC that is acting up, and the headphones are fine, then a cheap soundcard would side-step the problem. USB or PCI.
I was going to say, a sound card like that should be $3-6 (USD) so you are right in the range. Those things are great for testing but probably not so great as a permanent solution.
If you game or care about audio fidelity for any reason I would go out and buy a decent sound card, yes!
You could "go nuts" and buy something like this Creative Audigy but it probably isn't strictly necessary. Then again, it's only $40 USD.
https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Audigy-Performance-Headphone/dp/B00EO6X4XG
Otherwise, just see what kind of port you have free on your motherboard and buy something for around $20 USD that fits. That price range should get you something respectable.
Example (PCI) sound card =
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Channel-Surround-Adapter-PCISOUND5CH2/dp/B00JLREDZG
Good luck!
[This amp](http://www.parts-express.com/sure-electronics-aa-ab33182-4x100w-at-4-ohm-class-d-digital-audio-amplifier-board-sta508-(t--320-335)
and this sound card
If I were to do it again, I'd buy a better sound card. That one, the drives are built into the software and you can't do anything about it. It interferes with the onboard audio and makes the speakers I have plugged into onboard run at 5.1, even though they are 2.1 speakers. But overall it works pretty decent.
Maybe you could try something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JLREDZG/ref=s9_top_hd_bw_b1C5v_g147_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=WNZRHZD5HDC8C1FMVMZJ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=202b99be-dd6c-5402-b007-d88175803d72&pf_rd_i=284823
I have not done this but I am just thinking of solutions if it is broken.
Sorry for the late response, but I appreciate all the help you've offered so far. If it's cool I still have some questions.
I currently have that Zalman mic you linked and getting the white noise with it. Do you think the onboard soundcard I have on my z97 board is the issue? (MSI SLI Krait z97 if it makes a difference)
Would getting a microphone with a little plastic buffer like this help the issue, or would spending the money on a cheap sound card be more beneficial?
I was also looking a condenser mic with stand or maybe a gaming headset like these G430s on sale.
Any and all help would be appreciated!
aha! There's a PCI version audio card that fits in the long slot at the edge of the motherboard, is that one covered?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLREDZG/