Features:

  • External sound card USB 6 channel 5.1 audio. Record & play back digital and analog audio without sound card in your computer.
  • This sound card offers a quality solution for upgrading your PC or laptop audio.
  • This device supports 32 KHz, 44.1 KHz and 48 KHz sampling rate in digital and analog recording, and in digital/analog audio playback.
  • Supports analog recording function,Full duplex playback/recording audio stream without sound card in PC; In digital playback mode, it receives an audio stream from the PC via a USB interface and transmits audio data according to AES\EBU, IEC60958, S\PDIF consumer interface standards.
  • System Requirements: Win10/98/8/7/2000/XP/Mac OS 9.1(-+Mac version only have 2 channel playback only)
Hard to beat for the price..basic but good.

Worked well with my old laptop. I have and older desktop that was giving my sound card issues and this is a good alternative. It's also nice that I can have on top of the desk to make it easier to plug/unplug speakers etc. It was plug an play for me no loading of software needed. Probably not for audiophiles but for the rest of us it's a good, inexpensive option.

Duplicates desktop soundcard via USB, with 5.1 output on Windows and Linux

Basic but effective functionality at little cost. Only had this less than a week so can't speak to durability. Don't have the means to test SPDIF, but can vouch for analogue inputs and outputs working fine (the existence of the SPDIF ports was recognized, at least). Windows seemed to respond better WITHOUT the included driver, and immediately allowed me to check output via the three jacks for 5.1 setup. Linux (Ubuntu 16.x and up in my case) likewise. Both OSs also recognized the line and mic inputs. So this is an effective way of gaining the same functionality of a sound card-equipped desktop via USB, e.g. for notebooks, media servers, etc.

SPDIF Requires Drivers

Works well for the cost. For S/PDIF (optical out) to work it required drivers. Look for CM6206-LX on CMedia's site for the drivers. It says Windows 8 support only and the installer did give me an error - so manually go to device manager, update driver, search for the folder, and click ok through the next few screens. One reboot later and Digital Output showed under Playback Devices. Very happy with the product now especially for the price.

A good product, but takes a little tinkering

I bought this product for my dorm room so I can play games, watch movies, or enjoy music in 5.1 surround sound. I definitely like the product, I'm able to tell actual from virtual surround sound and I love it, it just takes a little messing around with on the included disc. The sound card settings software doesn't make itself apparent at all and requires a little digging into files to find it and even then, the software is called "facelift", which doesn't give any hint to that being the sound card controls. It's a little tedious, but I believe it's worth the hassle because now I can use my 3ds and other devices just using the line in and an aux cord and enjoy the music on my speakers. (Facelift is found on the disc under [Your version of Windows] > SoftwareDriver > DLL > CPL > x64 or x86 [Depending on your processor]) Hope this helps people. {Update} Upon further tinkering, I found out how to shift the settings to true 5.1 and I'm rather disappointed because there's a high pitch sound running through my speakers that I don't know how to fix. So, I'm contemplating whether to just give up and look for a better option or if there is some way to fix this issue. This is still a decent porudct but, not for what I'm looking for. {Update 2} I found my problem and that was having an additional aux cord in my computer which was unnecessary, so I'm set with this product and back to enjoying music and video games on it. If anyone needs an explanation on how this product works, I can give a lot more info about the product that what comes in the box

Sounds Great And Easy To Set Up

Here's the deal, folks. It took two days to ship using Prime. Shipping was free. The unit took about five minutes to set up once I put in the mini-CD that comes with it. I'm running audio from the "front out" output into my vintage stereo's auxiliary port, using a patch cord that has an RCA connector adapter. Haven't tried it yet with any stereo recordings, but things sound great with mono tracks. Add one set of vintage headphones and I'm very happy. The difference between using this and using my lap top's internal sound card is amazing.

Highly underrated

I got these to connect Logitech z506 speakers for surround sound on a laptop. I didn't know what to expect since some of the reviews are negative but honestly this is an excellent piece of hardware and you shouldn't be worried about the quality (for 5.1 use at least). If you want to get it to work properly then don't use the install cd it comes with since that's like a completely different software. Download the correct driver (the review from techaxiom on youtube has the correct driver download link and information) the first time. When you restart double click on the new icon in your taskbar and pick 6 channel mode, then click the virtual 7.1 option. Now enjoy your speakers! If you're considering this card for 5.1 you're probably getting those or the Creative ones, generally budget level speakers. This is the perfect sound card for that purpose.

Sound quality is very good. I had some trouble with drivers at first ...

I bought a few different USB sound devices, and this paired with a USB extension cable is heavenly for keeping my ports close to me on my desk. Sound quality is very good. I had some trouble with drivers at first and sound was a bit "metalic / staticy / tinny" for a while until I realized I needed to move it to a different USB port. Upon swapping ports, quality has been excellent for a good long while now.

Cheap Surround Alternative

I purchased a "new" refurbished PC that did not have a sound card for 5.1 surround but lots of USB ports. Purchased this and ran the install disc. Hooked up the trusty Logitech surround speakers and opened the WIN10 surround sound controller. All speakers test out for true 5.1 surround and sound pretty good for small sats w/ 5" sub. Better than the sound card on my A10 Pressario.

Great affordable way to get decent sound from old laptop

I purchased this to help turn an old laptop into a dedicated media box for my den, works great with openelec. What the laptop had was headphone out. I used this to plug into a USB port and then used optical out from this little box to give my receiver a signal it could work with. I have zero complaints, it works and sounds great. I needed no driver's or anything which I thought I might need considering I was using it on a basic Linux install.

Solid product for my speakers

Be sure & get the latest drivers. There are some YouTube videos on this product. Email for support: valinkservice@outlook.com Took a little effort to understand how this external speaker board works. For me & my 5.1 channel speakers just the USB cable & then the three cables from speaker system plugged into the box ports. Played with icon loaded when mini CD disk loaded drivers & after some working within the icon program, my speakers came alive.

Full Reviews