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Small rectangular black box with USB cable and multiple audio ports

Optimal Shop 5.1 External Sound Card USB 2.0 48 KHz 120 dB

SKU CH-SMW7-PQDV2

Adds 5.1-channel audio with 48 KHz sampling and 120 dB signal-to-noise over USB 2.0

  • Interface typeUSB
  • Part type or number4336297530
  • Audio channels5.1
  • Sample rate48 kHz
  • SNR120 decibels
  • Product dimensions3.46 in × 2.36 in × 0.79 in
  • 1 surround sound via USB 2.0 for immersive audio
  • 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio delivers clean playback
  • 48 KHz sample rate supports high-fidelity recording
  • Optical S/PDIF output enables digital connection to external decoders
  • Compact 3.46 x 2.36 x 0.79 inch design fits any setup

5.1 Channel USB Audio Adapter

This external sound card connects over USB 2.0 and provides 5.1 surround output with a 48 KHz sampling rate and 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio. It is designed for PC and laptop users who need analogue 6-channel audio or optical S/PDIF output without an internal sound card.

Driver Installation and Optical Output

The device supports Windows 98, XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 and 10; drivers install through the standard USB audio stack. A common issue is expecting 5.1 sound from the optical port when playing stereo sources — the fibre output only passes 5.1 when the source material is encoded as DTS or AC3 5.1, otherwise it falls back to two-channel PCM.

Source Material and Cable Requirements

Before ordering, verify that your media player or game can output DTS or AC3 5.1 bitstreams for surround over the optical link. For analogue 5.1 speakers you will need three 3.5 mm stereo cables or suitable 3.5 mm-to-RCA leads, and your playback software must be configured for S/PDIF or multi-channel analogue output.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Internal & USB Sound Cards, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $25.99
Cheaper than about 64% of the 185 comparable items (median $29.99).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameOptimal Shop
Model name8541610153
Part number4336297530
Part type or number4336297530
Audio & video
Audio channels5.1
Ports & slots
Interface typeUSB
Size & build
Product dimensions3.46 in × 2.36 in × 0.79 in
Product weight0.111 kg
More details
Sample rate48 kHz
SNR120 decibels

Questions about this item

How do I verify the adapter is delivering 5.1 surround sound after connecting it to my PC?

Play a DTS 5.1 source such as a 3D game or HD movie; the optical S/PDIF output will pass all six channels only when the source material is encoded for 5.1.

What cables come in the box and which ones must I purchase separately for a 5.1 speaker system?

The adapter provides three 3.5 mm analog jacks and one optical S/PDIF port; you must supply three 3.5 mm stereo cables for analog 5.1 speakers or three 3.5 mm-to-RCA cables if your speakers use RCA inputs.

Which sampling rate should I select in Windows audio settings for the best digital playback quality?

Choose 48 KHz; the device supports 48 KHz sampling in digital playback mode and locks to that rate automatically for analog recording.

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