USB 2.0 External Sound Card 6 Channel 5.1 Surround Adapter Audio S/PDIF for PC -Blue

My use case: I have a KVM to share all of my inputs and outputs between my home desktop computer and my work computer's Thunderbolt dock. Unfortunately my gaming desktop's sound system is a multiple 3.5mm 5.1 setup, which even if the KVM accommodated audio at all (which it doesn't, apart from via DisplayPort), KVMs that do share sound usually have just one 3.5mm jack. This external sound card was the right solution. It has inputs for exactly what I need plus additional possibilities that I don't have but someone else might. On Windows 10 and 11 at least, just plugging it into a USB port immediately makes it into either THE audio output or a selectable option with no driver installation necessary. That was critical because the work computer is completely locked down and won't allow installation of drivers or other software. I just needed to see that this is the default audio device, and from then on, it's all good to go. When I dock the laptop, Windows 11 sees the docking arrangement and automatically reconfigures everything to default to it while on the dock. Both computers see it as the full 5.1 setup that I have and it works exactly that way. Sound quality seems at least as good as the on-board Realtek audio that my desktop computer has, though my 52 year old ears are much less sharp than my 25 year old ears were and I'm less apt to notice subtle sound quality differences, plus my 10 year old mid-level Logitech speaker setup never was audiophile quality. I'd guess if you have higher end speakers and are used to a high quality dedicated add-on sound card, this will probably not be an equivalent. For the rest of us, it works great. The price was very good for what I got, especially considering how few of this kind of device showed up when I was looking. There were lots of them for regular 2 channel sound but were quite scarce for more complex inputs. I've had it for a few months now and it's still working flawlessly. As an alternative to using a second switchbox just for the audio, I enjoy the ability to have this as just another item on the USB that is handled by the KVM and a single KVM button switching everything from one system to the other. I do recommend this if your needs are similar to mine.

I read a lot of comments for this device. It does work as expected, and really well, better than my motherboards spdif because of the 5.1 channel output with dolby digital. Do NOT install the software this comes with from the CD, it is the wrong driver! Also the driver doesn't auto install, it uses some generic driver for USB audio. To get the full potential of this device you must download CM6206 LX driver. I found this driver from Softpedia. The CD comes with the non-LX driver that doesn't work properly. I would have gave this 5 stars if it did. I went to device manager in windows and found the USB sound device under the Sound, video and game controllers. I right clicked it from here then went to properties and then drivers and update drivers. The zip file I got from softpedia I extracted to a folder and this is the folder I have selected for the driver. It should say C-MEDIA ELECTRONICS INC. as the digital signer. Important note is that I didn't run the software installation setup this zip file came with due to potential compatibility issues with windows 11, since the software was made for windows 8. Hope someone finds this helpful!

I wanted a simple USB adapter to drive my vintage 5.1 audio system that had analog inputs. Bought this adapter one year ago, and it didn't last. The problem is a strange pulsating sound that is very low volume. It isn't affected by changing the volume at the computer - or - at the 5.1 audio controller module. I had originally thought that my 5.1 audio system developed the problem, since my headphone connection that bypassed the 5.1 kept working. Fortunately, while watching a video review about Riowois soundbars, a one star reviewer (Joshua) complained as he switched inputs, and EUREKA - his system exhibited the same strange pulsating fluttery noise. Definitely the fault of digital circuitry. (Sound bars use DACs, too ) Unfortunately, this particular model is sold under different brand names, that coincidentally go out of business... UPDATE - The culprit turned out to be inductively coupled noise from a nearby WiFi router. The two power cords were entwined. Once the power cord was relocated, all noises ceased. Rating 5 stars.

Does not work with windows 11 properly. I found and downloaded the 1.09 windows 10 driver, and it seemed to install, the app even worked. Problem is that the 5.1 did not ever work properly. I tried swapping all of the channel plugs, changing the configuration in control panel, and the software settings. To no avail. Just do yourself a favor and get a different one if you have a 3.1/5.1/7.1 speaker setup that you want to work properly in windows 11. Also causes tons of micro stuttering when you use the stereo mode in games. This thing is trash.

When it does work, it works well for all the ports included. Line in was the one I utilized most for streaming with a sound mixer, and sound was great going across Facebook Live. Two gripes: 1. The use of the old mini-USB was not the best idea. The plug felt loose and finding these on Amazon is simple, sure, but in an emergency, finding these at your local electronics stores isn't easy, if not impossible. Micro-USB would have been a better choice because we all have at least 65 of these damn patch cords in our cars alone! Android users know what I'm speaking of ;) 2. Having to disconnect and reconnect once, twice, thrice to get it to recognize was disappointing. Sometimes I got lucky with "first try", but that was only two times in 4 weeks that I've had it. I stream 5 days a week. If you're patient, the inexpensive cost is a go for this one. If you're not, stay away because you'll be throwing this against the wall in 5 minutes. The best of luck for those brave enough to try this.

If you simply want to connect a 6 channel aux cord up to a laptop through USB, it is a pretty convenient tool. I acquired true 5.1 surround sound when tested through my volume mixer playback sample. Using windows 7 on a Microsoft surface 3. However, computer audio was not my purpose for this device. I was trying to Link a PlayStation 4 through the optical input for playback with a logitech surround sound system. Which requires a 6 channel Green Orange Black aux cable designed for desktops. The Optical-In works on this device, but it only is interpreted in a stereo signal. Which defeated the purpose I had for this product. Since I wanted 6 channel surround sound. Also the stereo signal from the optical playback had considerably bad interference too, as I had read in other comments. This is coupled with a magnitude of things that don't make sense. There is no Optical Out. The hardware is not even there although it appears to be. You have to have a CD drive to download the software to use most of the functions. This product is certainly not very user friendly, and that is why it has so many 1 star ratings. However, I am deciding to keep this product.. Astonishingly enough, I am able to plug the device directly into a PS4 USB port and receive pretty quality stereo audio through my Logitech speakers. Although it is not a true surround sound experience, it is still better than the stock TV speakers for when I don't feel like wearing a headset while gaming or watching videos. So this will suffice until I make further advancements on finding more compatible hardware.

Tiny little box. Very inexpensive. But considering I had no place to install my Asus 5.1 surround sound card in my AIO HP computer since my gaming rig crapped the bed, I was left with no real choices. Based on other reviews here, I took a chance on this. To be honest, the instructions could have been a little clearer. (Or present, I guess; it only came with a mini-CD that only had the drivers & utility program). But fortunately, I'm sharp enough to figure it out. And I did. And now my AIO is giving me similar sound quality to my much more expensive 5.1 sound card. For the price, just buy it if you find yourself in a situation like mine. You won't regret it. It's tiny, sits behind my machine, and I don't even see it if I'm not looking for it. But it delivers perfectly acceptable 5.1 sound out of all 5 speakers and bass.

This small sound card is being used to stream a commercial radio station. We use it from a tuner in the Manager's office to feed a small compact computer dedicated to sending our audio out to the server which handles our streaming. The install was not the easiest, in fact we did not end up using the software supplied. Windows had enough settings (in 7 anyway) to make it work in full stereo powering Rocket encoding software. We have had listeners online swear they can hear the minute clicks and pops in some of the music we have dubbed into our system now, over when we used the "pro" sound card in another machine, both of which were much older. It CAN BE used in strictly stereo mode, so don't be afraid to buy it if you are not in the market for surround sound. We are using analog in to USB, and it's functioning well with no issues since install. If we can stream a terrestrial station with it, (WION, Ionia MI) you can make it work. Hear it on our website if you like. Good product, inexpensive, still allows "stereo" in a surround sound world.