Sonica
M-Audio Sonica External USB Audio Card With Digital , 24 Bit / 96 kHz
The
M-Audio Sonica is a legacy, ultra-portable USB audio interface designed specifically to provide a high-fidelity digital bridge between a computer and an external sound system. It was released in the early 2000s as a solution for laptop users who suffered from poor internal sound card quality.
Detailed Device Description
The original Sonica is housed in a compact, translucent blue "pager-sized" casing that is entirely USB-bus powered, requiring no external power adapter. Its primary function is to bypass a computer's internal digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to deliver cleaner audio.
1. Key Features & Audio Specifications
- Resolution: Supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz for both playback and digital output.
- Surround Sound Support: While it only has a single analog stereo jack, it supports S/PDIF pass-through for Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS signals. This allows an external A/V receiver to decode full 5.1 surround sound from a computer.
- Virtual Surround: It includes licensed SRS TruSurround XT software, which can simulate a multichannel surround experience using just two standard speakers or headphones.
2. Physical Connectivity
The device features a minimalist set of ports on its small frame:
- Input: One USB port for connecting to a PC or Mac (data and power).
- Analog Output: One 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-jack for connecting to powered speakers, headphones, or a stereo receiver.
- Digital Output: One S/PDIF optical (TOSLINK) port for high-fidelity digital transfers.
