D/A converter and mixer questions

[Charles Warwick]

Hey, so I am trying to figure out the best way to play music off my laptop without having to buy a new one with a better sound card.
Something like this:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=180-998

This type of thing appeals to me as I can use it on my desktop or laptop, but I really wouldn't mind finding one that has either a balanced output or at the very least, one that I know gives me a nice clean signal since my on-board sound card isn't the greatest. What other options are there?

Do they make DACs that have a line in and line out? I had just been using the mic in on my laptop for RTA measurements, and was having some problems with some 60hz noise showing up when making measurements recently, so that's an issue I'd like to fix as well, but perhaps I just need to buy a better mixer.

On that topic, I'm using a Behringer Xenyx 802 for basic RTA, but I'm relatively certain my 60hz hum is from the mixer. Are mixers usually grounded? All my other equipment has a ground, and this mixer doesn't. Can I ground it myself, or do you think that's not necessarily the problem?

Thanks!

[Radian]

Hagerman Tech makes a decent USB to AES / SPID DI box. It has received positive press over the years. Can be download prints or purchase as a DIY kit, or completely built.

http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html

[Ken Lustgarten]

One of the handiest devices that I have found is an ART USB Dual Pre. I bought it from Zzsounds for about $70. It has 2 combo inputs xlr and 1/4". The xlr jacks have phantom power. It also has two 1/4" balanced outputs and hooks up to the computer with a usb cable. It is a great way to both record and play music through a system, much higher quality then the built in card. I have also used it as a dual direct box in a pinch. Overall this has beenone of the handiest devices that I have bought.

[Charles Warwick]

One of the handiest devices that I have found is an ART USB Dual Pre. I bought it from Zzsounds for about $70. It has 2 combo inputs xlr and 1/4". The xlr jacks have phantom power. It also has two 1/4" balanced outputs and hooks up to the computer with a usb cable. It is a great way to both record and play music through a system, much higher quality then the built in card. I have also used it as a dual direct box in a pinch. Overall this has beenone of the handiest devices that I have bought.

Wow, this exactly what I was trying to describe/wanted. Okay, so just checking, I can hook this up to my computer, stream music from my computer via the USB and output to an amp or mixer with the 1/4'' TRS 'Monitor Outputs' on the back, and I can also plug in 1 or 2 mics into the XLR/TRS inputs.

One thing I'm wondering though, can you use it for RTA measurements? Then the usb connection would need to act as an output and an input at the same time, can it do that? It'd be great to just hook this preamp to my computer, plug in the measurement mic, and run the monitor out to the amp and get started. Can it do that?

Thanks!

[Ken Lustgarten]

It will pass audio both ways at the same time. I have played pink noise through it while taking a measurment with a mic. I have also used it to play a cd accompanyment while recording the performance.

[Charles Warwick]

Awesome, thanks a lot!

[Ken Lustgarten]

If you are going to buy one check out this link

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=703092

They have a black Friday special for 49.99 with free shipping!