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Rating: 
Summary: Well, it looks cool...
Review: Although Amazon.com doesn't have it, it's hard to find reviews on the Sonica, so I'll write one. At first glance, it certainly looks aesthetically pleasing, with its metallic blue case and cable, and a super-bright blue power LED (blue LEDs make anything cooler!). First, I tried my headphones in the analog out, and it sounded mediocre at best, with faint output, and highs and lows that sounded overdriven on any setting. This also happened to a significantly lesser extent on my speakers. I asked M-Audio's tech support about this, and their rep hastily skimmed my request and didn't answer a reply (thanks, Ron). he said it was because the Sonica IS NOT designed for headphones! That kind of defeats the point of it being small and portable, but luckily that isn't my application. This info should have been at least in the manual, and probably on M-Audio's site, too. I originally bought it for dubbing to minidisc with the optical SPDIF out because of its wide compatibility with respect to frequencies. (supports 44.1 KHz, among others, and up to 96 KHz!) It does a beautiful job on SPDIF, but it cracks sharply if I move windows while showing contents (WinXP). This may be an issue with Athlon TBird architecture, but it does indicate that drivers need more work. The software surround and enhancements work fairly well, but I didn't notice much difference with SPDIF output when using these features. I don't have a surround system, so I couldn't test the 5.1 capability. Bottom line: the device is not bad if you can tweak it enough, the drivers are mediocre, the manual is lacking in technical detail, and the support is apathetic. My advice: stick with the Xitel DG2 for optical dubbing.
Rating: 
Summary: It might be good... but I returned it.
Review: I bought it after reading enormous recommendations on M-Audio brand everywhere. Unfortunately I ended up returning it, because it's...terrible.
Connecting to my new Dell desktop and senn HD-280 headphone, the sound distorts as soon as the volume is turned half way up.
Then I tried my laptop, same problem plus a static-like sound becomes audible after about a minute. Nothing can stop it unless powering down the laptop. Restart, works for one minute, then the same thing happens again.
Now I wonder where did all those wonderful comments on M-Audio come from.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely astounding!
Review: This little blue box will explode your sound outward, upward, and around you--bringing back missing frequencies, expanding the stereo image, and maximizing the signal-to-noise. The Surround system is extremely good, particularly the Dialog Enhancement feature which works to make center-mic'd things clearer and more focused. It's great for DVDs, but where it really shines is in the music department. With a set of Altec Lansing ATP3s, I was astounded by the clarity and forcefulness suddenly present in every note... and hooked up to my stereo, a JVC MX-GT80, the result was absolutely ASTOUNDING-- crystal-clear through every possible frequency imaginable. In short, it has turned my modest computer speakers into absolutely extraordinary powerhouses of sound, and my $350 stereo system into one of the most astounding... OBJECTS... I have ever heard.Buy it. Now.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This thing is great, especially if you have only two speakers--the TruSurround XT technology is really phenomenal and shines through the most with speakers that are good, but not GREAT. Sonica makes any speakers sound just incredible--with amazingly crisp bass and incredibly articulated high-end. The surround effect is stunning. If you want good sound, buy one.
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