[G4] Sound cards?

[Video International]

I also want better sounding mp3s. So I tried using the Mbox in OSX.
But I couldn't output the computer's audio to it after connecting it by 
USB.
In system preferences, the Sound "output" tab had only one choice -
the "built in audio controller".

How does one bypass the onboard sound card? I think I was able to
do this in OS9...

Rick


> I use two outboard audio boxes:  an Onkyo SE-U55 and a Digidesign Mbox.
>   Both are USB (nothing wrong with USB, there's plenty of bandwidth
> there and provisions for isochronous data) and both give excellent
> sound, with the edge going to the Mbox.


>> After playing MP3's side by side on my Mac and PC, I realized that my
>> PC had noticeably higher sound quality. Instead of the poor quality
>> onboard sound on the PC, I upgraded it with a Soundblaster 512 which
>> substantially improved the quality of audio. While a Mac's onboard
>> sound is better than the built-in audio on most PCs, it doesn't have
>> the same quality as a good add-on PC card.
>>
>> As a Mac user, this situation annoys me. Can I find a sound card for
>> the Mac? The only thing I'm aware of is a XiTel Hifi-link, which is a
>> USB audio "card." Has anyone used one of these? Any other options?