VAlinks USB 2.0 External Sound Card 6 Channel 5.1 Surround Optical S/PDIF Audio Sound Card Adapter for PC Laptop Recording Compatible with Windows 10/8 / 7/ XP

The only way I could achieve 5.1 sound from my laptop was to send it over the Display Link cable to my monitor which had 5.1 out ports that were connected to my sound system. This worked fine until my monitor gave it up, and in my search for a new one found that audio throughput was something of a rare novelty without paying a fortune. Instead, I bought a standard display only monitor and this product to output my 5.1 sound. No, my audio outputs via USB straight through this to my sound system. It just works!

It may work with other people, but with me, it didn't. I was trying to setup a 5.1 surround sound system and nothing would budge, seriously. And I tried everything that there is to try with it. I ended up returning this product. Took a while, but I'm glad I have my money back.

The sound card I received is faulty and isn't recognized by the computer. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to opening it until the return window had closed. I imagine it would be okay if it worked.

Update: The two additional devices worked very well. Test these in windows using the setup button after choosing the driver. Then test online with a dolby test in Youtube. I also got one in blue and it was noisy in the windows test. I used it's case for the first one to get a fully functioning device. for that one I had to remove the face plate because the green plug would not keep the jack in due to poor tolerances. These are tiny little devices. It's all about the chipset. The drivers off the mini CD worked in my 2009 win 7 system. This will keep the old motherboard working after the onboard sound in the R&L front speakers quit working. Even though I had to dismantle it to make it work I just ordered two more. Maybe one can be capable of working without modification and the others are for backup spares and test tools.

Overall, I do think this is a decent product. It has its quirks, but I do think it's worth the money. Pros: - It's a small device that can be taken just about anywhere. - It's a cheap way to get audio capture from practically anything. - It has SPDIF inputs an outputs. - You can have 5.1 surround sound as an output. - It comes with decent software to set it up with, called Xear Audio Center. You're able to adjust the volume by decibel for each input/output, and individually change each ear's decibel level. Cons: - When listening, it has a very distinct and high-pitched hum. The best way I've been able to counter it is by turning the device itself down, while turning what I want to listen to up. - All audio inputs have a tinny sound. - If you tap or move the device while listening to something capturing, you can hear it. - The audio outputs are tinny and at times, was delayed by about half a second to a full second. - While it does come with software,, the software doesn't do much. All it can do is enable what you can hear (inputs and outputs) and change the volume.