Having purchased an internal sound card recently from somewhere else, I was a little concerned that this would work properly. I wanted to connect my Desktop PC to a 7.1 HT System using the TOSLINK and the sound card only supported 2 channels via this connector.
However, this USB Sound Card works a dream.
I initially plugged it into a Windows 7 based Laptop and it installed everything first time. A reboot was required and I was quickly able to play some music & films using the full 7.1 surround sound.
The next task was to check out this sound card with my desktop PC which has Windows XP. This initially installed the Windows drivers for a USB Sound Card which didn't support 7.1 channels on the TOSLINK. Once I realised that this was the issue I ran the installation program on the supplied CD ROM and the correct drivers are now installed and it works just fine. Page 4 of the manual identifies the chipset used (C-Media CM6206) in case you have a problem finding the driver.
Again I can play music & films and all the channels are used.
I have briefly tested the other output sockets (headphone & surround outputs) and these all appear to be working. I have yet to use the two microphone sockets to see how good they are at capturing stereo sound.
The LED on the device is useful. It flashes slowly when sound is being received, which is a good indicator if you are having configuration problems. The volume & mute controls work too.
As for the quality, I've had no problem with this on the TOSLINK output. I no longer have a surround sound that would use the 3.5mm sockets, but may use it if at a friend's home, so I can't comment on their performance at this stage.
Overall I am very happy with this product. It has done just what I wanted and works well. It definitely works with both Windows XP & 7.
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This item: StarTech.com 7.1 USB - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio - Sound Card for PC - Silver (ICUSBAUDIO7D)
£37.27
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£6.99
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From the manufacturer
Turn your laptop or desktop computer into a 7.1-channel home theater-ready sound system
This versatile External USB Sound Card/Audio Adapter offers a high quality solution for upgrading desktop or laptop sound.
Providing a robust USB audio experience, the USB sound card connects to a host computer through a single USB 2.0 connection, to deliver impressive external audio capability that can instantly be swapped between systems, without having to open the computer case for installation.
Supporting analog and digital audio for 2 to 7.1 channel audio applications, the external USB sound card provides a cost-saving upgrade from built-in/on-board sound that turns desktop/laptop sound into a home theater-ready audio solution.
The external USB sound card features easy-to-use volume control and two external microphone inputs - a convenient solution for any audio application requiring high quality sound with multi-input capability with support for 44.1 KHz and 48 KHz sampling rates for analog playback and recording or 48 KHz for SPDIF.
A more than suitable solution for home theater, gaming or multi-media presentations, the External USB Sound Card is easy to install with plug and play support in Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems.
Compare with similar items
This item  StarTech.com 7.1 USB - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio - Sound Card for PC - Silver (ICUSBAUDIO7D) | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | £37.27 | £39.99 | £20.85 | £28.29 | £32.75 | £129.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 18 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold by | DirectfromStarTech | VENTION GROUP LIMITED UK | Xumiuziy | Cubilux UK | yanmeerU | Creative Labs (Europe) |
| hardware interface | usb | usb3.0 | usb | usb | usb | usb |
| audio output mode | Surround | 7.1 | Surround, Digital | Stereo, Surround | Surround | Surround |
| surround channels | 7.1 | 7.1 | 5 1 | 7.1 | 5.1 | 7.1 |
| hardware platform | Personal Computer | USB (Universal Serial Bus) | Personal Computer, Laptops | USB | Personal Computer, Speaker | usb |
48 KHz | 192 KHz | 44 KHz | 384 KHz | 48 KHz | 192 KHz | |
| signal-to-noise ratio | 120 decibels | — | 120 decibels | 384 KHz | 48 KHz | 120 decibels |
| platform | windows 11, windows 10, windows 8, windows 8 1, windows vista, windows xp | macintosh, windows, linux | windows98, windows 7, macintosh | windows | windows xp | playstation 5 |
Surprisingly decent for its price
I brought these to replace my on board audio built into my pcs motherboard, when I brought these I wasn't expecting much for the price they are but when I plugged in the external soundcard and tested them out on my m-audio BX4 they sounded pretty good. compared to how they used to sound on my motherboards built in audio the bass isn't as pronounced but its still present. Overall for its price there a decent choice for a soundcard on a tight budget
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2024Style Name: Multi Output + Dual MicVerified Purchase
I brought these to replace my on board audio built into my pcs motherboard, when I brought these I wasn't expecting much for the price they are but when I plugged in the external soundcard and tested them out on my m-audio BX4 they sounded pretty good. compared to how they used to sound on my motherboards built in audio the bass isn't as pronounced but its still present. Overall for its price there a decent choice for a soundcard on a tight budget
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Top reviews from other countries
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Benno MeinkeReviewed in Germany on 27 July 2024
Endlich wieder echter DTS Sound unter Windows 11
Style Name: 4 Pos TRRS + MicVerified Purchase - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Sweden on 6 March 2025
Good for my purpose
Style Name: Multi Output + Dual MicVerified Purchase - DeathReviewed in Singapore on 24 December 2024
The product is working and able to support 7.1 speaker.
Style Name: Multi Output + Dual MicVerified Purchase - Sahar SalemReviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 22 November 2024
Perfect for my Creative old fasion Speakers
Style Name: Multi Output + Dual MicVerified Purchase -
RioReviewed in Italy on 20 September 2020
Startech scheda esterna usb 7.1 Davvero efficiente!
Style Name: Multi Output + Dual MicVerified Purchase
Mi serviva una scheda audio, stabile, per pilotare almeno 3/4 canali audio separati di output,RioStartech scheda esterna usb 7.1 Davvero efficiente!
Reviewed in Italy on 20 September 2020
per un impianto da 6/8 bass shaker; Lo fa, ed anche bene;
- i segnali sono puliti, molto più potenti della scheda audio Realtek;
- altre schede audio esterne hanno ceduto dopo 1-2 giorni di utilizzo, ed è stato un tribulare tra resi e rimborsi per via del tempo perso;
- Invece questa scheda audio, leggermente più costosa, è stabile, sta facendo il suo dovere, precisa e potente;
-Ottima come sostituta di una scheda audio interna; è plug & play 7.1; io l'ho connessa ad una Usb 3cavi tutti inclusi nella confezione, insieme al cd di installazione;
-Importante: ricordatevi di disabilitare l'audio Realtek di Windows 10; altrimenti questa scheda, non può prendere il controllo totale dell'audio del vostro Pc, ed è quello che vi serve per poter accedere a tutti i canali;
- Forse esteticamente non è il massimo e sembra plasticosa; anzi a dire il vero è bruttina, (mi ricorda Blender di futurama) ma se funziona e anche bene, non mi importa dell' estetica; anzi mi sono affezionato;
- Vale tutti i soldi che costa; meno di 60 euro;
Dopo un mese di utilizzo, funziona, sembra instancabile; Non scalda in nessun modo; in pieno esercizio lavora a temperatura ambiente;
Vedremo quanto dura; Per ora un prodotto serio, e funzionale;
Dopo 1 anno continua a pilotare i bass shaker della mia postazione con efficienza, Consiglio vivamente
Saluti Rio
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