Sewell Direct Soundbox Pro External USB Sound Card, 24 bit 192 KHz Audio, 7.1 Channels Sound Cards SW-30415

[Update Jan 5 2016: This DAC-ADC device works with both OS X 10.10 ("Yosemite") and 10.11 ("El Capitan"). All analog and digital hardware options available (see screenshot of Audio Midi Setup app menu) - Andrew]I got this external DAC to give my old Apple Macbook laptops 7.1 channel 24-bit 192khz analog audio. I also wanted 24/192 audio line IN to transfer LPs to HD audio FLAC files. This unit does the job at the lowest price I could find AND it sounds as good as the many professional and audiophile external DACs I’ve tried (see test measurements at resource page below)More info you may be hunting for:• Yes, this product processes audio INDEPENDENTLY of the computer’s internal sound card (DAC). That is, it's USB Audio Class 2 compliant. For example, my computer internal sound cards max out at “2-channel 24bit-96khz.” This DAC gives me up to 8-channel 24-bit/192khz. I believe that USB 1.x ports will allow up to 2-ch 24/96 only. USB 2.0 & 3.0 ports both worked fine for me. USB hubs? I dunno.• Yes, this product is Apple OS X 10.10 compatible (tested with 2008 Macbook Pro Core2Duo 2.2 ghz, 2011 Macbook Pro i7 2.4ghz, 2013 Macbook Air i7 2.0ghz). Note: the prior reviewers who could not use this with an Apple computer may have been using an older OS X release or older hardware. I have not tried this with older OS versions."How to" steps:1. Plug into a USB 2.0 port. Mac recognized this device with no software installs necessary.2. In the "Sound" preferences menu, you can choose from many options ( analog In & Out ports (RCA L/R line out, 3.5mm mini plug side & rear & subwoofer channels, headphone amp out, rec line-in, rec mic-in, SPD/IF optical in/out).3. For higher-res audio, go to Apple's "Audio MIDI setup” app (installed on all Macs). You can choose bit-rate and sample rate options from "2-channel 16-bit-44.1khz" upward to "8-channel 24 bit-192khz."• I found this to be a clean, strong-volume headphone amplifier with my typical-sensitivity not-fancy cans (35 ohm Grado SR80 & V-Moda Crossfade LP). Natural, non-fatiguing listening to my ears. With the volume level set at 5 of 10 (the product’s volume knob changes the computer’s system volume), the sound is plenty loud (perceived "movie theater” loudness of ~85 db to me) with PLENTY more volume available. YMMV with higher-impedance headphones that need more voltage, like Sennheiser 300-ohm cans.• Audio performance: Dead quiet noise floor with both line-out and headphone out. No audible buzz or hum: noise floor was -113 db analog line out from 20-48,000 Hz (per my Audacity app spectrum analyzer). Excellent waveform, jitter, and time-domain performance measurements per hardcoreware dot net review of the Diamond Multimedia incarnation at /di'amond-usb-xtrem'e-sound-xs71hdu'-review.• Very low energy usage (only 0.5W according to my Battery app)• Powered by USB data connection (no “DC in” AC adapter port but I measure no noise from my laptops' USB power outs).• Very low CPU usage: When I play 2-channel 24bit-192khz on the Intel 2.0 ghz i7 Macbook Air, CoreAudio uses only 2.7% CPU & iTunes uses only 4.2%.• Good quality USB to micro-USB 2.0 3-foot cable included—well-shielded, with one of those “anti-EMI" warts along the cable. The RCA to 3.5mm nickel-silver-contacts cord is of typical and acceptable quality. The RCA ports on the device are gold-plated.• Microphone Line-In interface (to record 24-192khz stereo audio on computer) works great. Noise floor with no microphone plugged in measures -96 db (Audacity app).• Also converts computer USB 2.0 out to SPDIF OPTICAL OUT. OS audio menu options: “2-Channel 24-bit Integer” and “Encoded Digital Audio.”Accepts SPDIF optical IN up to 2-Ch 24-bit resolution• Very classy design that looks as flossy as the photos. Good fit and finish, feels like a well-built metal-and-plastic device that should stand up to ziploc storage in a backpack if you avoid hard impacts. I'll update this post if it dies an early death.• This item appears to have identical specifications as the "SIIG Full HD 24-Bit/192 KHz Multimedia HD Digital 7.1-Channel USB Audio Box CE-S70011-S1" and the "Diamond Multimedia USB Xtreme Sound 24-Bit 7.1 Channel Digital Audio Adapter (XS71HDU)” here on Amazon, but I cannot confirm this.• I have no idea if it works with iOS or Android devices, Playstations, LCD TV’s, Windows/Linux rigs, etc.• Hey, if you know how to connect to an iPhone, do let us know!--Here are the specs from SewellDirect’s website:Mfg. Part Number SW-30415Features:Supports 7.1 channel output; front RCA connectors, 3 x 3.5mm stereo outputs: rear R/L, side R/L and center/subwooferPlayback supported at 24-bit 192/96/48/44.1 kHz, THD at -90 dB and SNR at 100 dB [my Audacity test did better at -113 dB - AY]Recording supported at 24-bit 192/96/48/44.1 kHz, THD at -85 dB and SNR at 100 dBRecording inputs; 3.5mm line-in, 3.5mm mic-in and optical-inTwo optical connectors for SPDIF input and output3.5mm stereo connector for headphone outputASIO audio driver for low-latency high-fidelity soundMetal case and inputs for added durabilitySpecifications:24-bit/192kHz high quality audio108dB SNR7.1 channel outputFront RCA stereo outputsRear, side, center/subwoofer outputsOptical input and outputMicrophone in and headphone out connectionsLine-in connectionTop mount volume control; push to muteCompliance with USB 2.0Interface: mini USBSize: 80x80x26 mmWeight: 108gRequirements:Compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP and MacIntel Core 2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.2 GHz or faster10MB Hard disk space1GB System memoryAvailable USB 2.0 portContents:SoundBox ProMini-USB cableAudio cable (RCA stereo to 3.5mm stereo)Quick installation guideInstallation CD (Windows driver & user manual) [No Mac OS X software included or required - AY]--Hope that helps, happy listening whatever audio gear you’re using! - AndrewFYI: I’m a professional photographer and writer who loves music. This is a personal, unsolicited post. I NEVER accept compensation from any manufacturer or distributor to influence a product review. I swear it by my wizard’s blasting rod! :D

The software is pretty crappy. The sound quality is very good. Not the best I've ever heard, but speaking as an audio professional of about 30 years, quite good. The D-A is a little lacking in the high mids, so rock songs won't have quite the "bite" they could, but I actually prefer that kind of sound so I'm ok with that. The topmost highs and especially the rich low tones are excellent.There is no way I can find to listen to the same audio through both the analog and digital outs - they are considered two different devices. This is sad because I wanted to be able to play music through my speakers in one room and via a long Toslink on my stereo, and it just won't do both unless your software plays to both at once, in which case keeping them in sync becomes an issue.Also I can't find a way to control the internal "Stereo Mix" virtual device. It is always listening to the microphone if there is one plugged in. Bad software!

Okay So i got all my issues with this device worked out. So this is an edit. Major issues upon arrival included, currupted driver CD(no work ASIO drivers), Driver installer didn't work on any windows server versions, no working volume knob, and no working mute button.Here's how i got everything to work.1) currupted driver. you can find a variety of drivers online. search for AS372N. Cmedia's website has drivers, and you can find drivers from sewell and aimpro21.com. this will fix the broken ASIO drivers on the CD too. If you get a corrupted CD that is.2) No Server 2008 R2(or windows10 or any other server version) installer.I extracted the downloaded drivers, and extracted them to a folder.then i edited CMsetx.dll. Change the line that says SupportOS=win7 (or whateverVersion of windows server you're running) toSupportOS=donotcare and save. this will let the installer install on anything.3) corrupted ASIO. just install a driver package from the website.4) No working volume Knob, No working mute button.You must have the Human Interfaces Access Devices service running to getYour volume knob, and mute button working. Something neither the dealer, nor techsupport knew.With that here's my final verdict of this device.I'm gonna keep it. I like it. It's not quite as good as i hoped, but It's definately useable. I wish the latency was a little lower, but it's not so bad i can't play guitar with it. The recording quality is fantastic, the price is great, and it comes with everything you need to get it working EXCEPT, in some cases, drivers, but you can get those online. I wish tech support had a clue about their device though.I've already started recording songs with it, and it's doing a great job so far, but i haven't really given it a good long session yet.aside from the crappy software CD, and clueless techsupport, i'm raising my score from 3STARS to 4STARS. This is the same device as the higher priced SIIG and diamond audio devices. I think SIIG got privy to the fact, sewell totally under sold them, and now you can get the SIIG for about $$80, but don't be fooled it's the same exact device as the sewell soundbox pro. some versions of this card cost $$100's. and it runs on the same CMEDIA CM6620A chipset.`why no 5?? corrupted driver CD, no help from techsupport. all the trouble i went through to get it to work. i'm sure i enjoy it more once i get passed the buyers remorse.Here's my original review."Well i recieved my item after waiting 2WEEKS. First i installed it on my laptop. plugged it in, installed the driver software, and got it fully installed using the CD which came with the device. The Asio drivers did not work at all. Pressing the button on their control panel wouldn't conjure the ASIO settings, and selecting it from DAW and audio software would result in a critical error. So no ASIO. I had to use asio4all to get some action going. the recording quality is fantastic. I plugged in my guitar with guitar rig running, and patched in my Metal Zone II distortion pedal, and went to work. the latency wasn't bad, and i was able to play in realtime, but more on that later.At this point, using the software which came with the disk didn't get me ASIO, nor did it make my volume button and mute button work, or function as it was supposed to.I took the device and installed it on my studio computer using the included CD and it's software. Again no ASIO, no Volume button, no mute button. I searched online for the driver software, and after much searching i found tons of a varieties of drivers and sofware. The website software didn't fix my ASIO issue, so i uninstalled the device, and installed it manually through the device manager using "terratec-aureon-xfire8-0-hd-setup-1-0-0-2-xp-vista-7-8". The terratec xfire 8 drivers worked quite a bit better. I manually registered the ASIO from the xfire, and success i was able to use the native cmedia ASIO.then i ran the control panel software included in the terratec xfire 8 package, and the terratec drivers and software gave me much more features than the included software on the CD. all of which worked great. the ASIO panel also works when conjured from the control panel software.BUT THE VOLUME KNOB AND MUTE BUTTON WILL NOT WORK!!!! DESPITE WHICH SOFTWARE VERSION I USE TO INSTALL THE DEVICE. If anyone has figured this one out, please contact me. -ALSO the software doesn't seem to have the latest drivers versions. The terratec drivers have ASIO version 7.0.13.118, but the software included with the device is only 7.0.12.301 which might explain why it didn't work at all-there's something wrong with the software on the CD i guess.As for the device, the hardware is good, but what good is hardware if you can't the software to drive it to work properly. device is only as good as it drivers. that's a fact.The recording quality is superb. 192KHZ 24BIT provides tons of bandwidth to record and mix, and doesn't miss an ounce of detail. for those who think there's no difference between 44.1KHZ and 192KHZ either doesn't have a good ear, or has never tried mixing 32TRACKS of simoltaneous audio and compared it to a higher sampling rate. the 192KHZ really makes a big difference. if your source is of a higher sampling rate that is.Latency is a different issue. every 192KHZ device has given me 1MS latency except this one. -But it's kinda weird here. latency is calculated by buffer size. The as327n requires a large buffer when set to 192KHZ. about 960 can do it. this equates to about 4MS latency which basically sucks. it's right at the brink where some people can tell, and some can't. i'm one of the ones who can tell. -But despite what the latency calculated says-i swear the latency is mucher lower than 4MS. So the buffer caculations aren't quite accurate. when i play i can't feel any lag at all, and i can barely notice any latency when touching the strings. which is vitally important to me. if the latency was bad i would have returned it immediately. but it's good.so here's what i got.-Great latency(despite system readings).-Fantastic recording quality. some of the best i've encountered.-could stand to be a little bit louder.-No working volume knob.-No working mute knob.I would have given this a 5STARS on 2 conditions: if it had included working drivers and software, and if the volume knob and mute button would work. If i can get either to work i'll update this post to reflect those changes. i emailed the company but i doubt they're going to help me fix the volume knob.for the price though it guess it's worth it, even if the software is garbage-that's because the exact same device from SIIG costs almost 4X as much, and it's the exact same circuits built around the cmedia CM6620a, so if you're gonna get it, get this one instead and pay a fraction of the price for the same hardware, but dont expect a whole lot in the way of support, and working software.I have a little bit of buyers remorse right now. When i bought this one i was debating between this and the syba 7.1 with the same specs on a PCIe x1 slot.again i'll update this post as soon as i can get the volume knob and the mute button to work. it's to early to tell if it's the faulty software or if my hardware is broken."