Topic: Please recommend an external USB sound card with optical input

[mrfang]

For years I've been using a cheap (~$40) external sound card, the Creative SoundBlaster Connect (model SB0270) for these two purposes:

1) Transferring DAT tapes to wav using an optical cable.
2) Sending audio out from my laptop through USB so that I don't have to use the 1/8" output.

The SB0270 works fine for these purposes, but I've just upgraded my OS on both computers to Windows 7 and there don't appear to be any drivers that support this model.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive alternative that definitely works in Windows 7?  It needs to be external so that I can use it with both of my computers, and it would be nice if it also came bundled with recording software so that I don't have to worry about whether I can successfully record a signal being fed to the optical input.

Thanks in advance.

[mrfang]

Currently considering the ENCORE ENMAB-8CM 7.1 Channel USB Audio Box, $24.99 at NewEgg.  Pros: Windows 7 compatible, SPDIF in.  Cons: Analog output jack is stereo 1/8"; I'd prefer separate 1/4" or RCA left and right output jacks.

[SmokinJoe]

Stock UA-5?

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Not cheap, unfortunately (around $500 new), but I've been using a Roland/Cakewalk UA-101 as an external soundcard; sounds great and has every bell and whistle I could possibly use.  That includes optical I/O, dedicated monitoring and 10-track recording if you require it.  Easy to set up but you need to download updated drivers from the website.  I believe it comes with a Cakewalk production suite (haven't used it) but it plays well with most DAW's; I've used it with Audition and Audacity.  Going to start looking into battery powering options if I ever want to use it for laptop recording in the field.  I'm very happy with it.

[Sockan]

How about E-mu 0404 USB 2.0?
$185

[rjp]

How about E-mu 0404 USB 2.0?

I'd recommend testing it on your system first, if you can. In my own experience, it's absolutely wonderful on my desktop box (and has an excellent headphone output as well), but it has been piss-poor with the laptops I've tried. I'll get clicks and pops in recording and playback when I try to use it from a laptop.