Help please - Laptop audio to PA setup (≥10 kΩ Input Impedance)

[nutznadboltzmuzic]

I have an older PA setup (that I used for vocals years ago), basic input mixer & 2x full range active 15"resin cabs, all in great condition having only been used a few times, and I've recently replaced the full range drivers with new and replaced all the electrolytic capacitors in the amps... in an attempt to reduce the dreaded mains hum.

So, I'm looking to connect my laptop up to the PA for music at family events etc.

I've tried connecting it all up, using the 3.5mm jack on laptop to 2x mono TRS jacks for the mixer. However, no matter what I do, it sounds crap.. the audio isn't rich and warm and seems to have odd tone balance. We've run music through it before and it sounded fine, so I presume this is down to the headphone output I'm using. (it sounded the same before the new caps and drivers btw, I tried it before and after).

I thinking I'd be better with a USB DAC that provides sufficient line level output for the mixer.

The mixer specs state inputs ≥ 10 kΩ... and it says balanced or unbalanced on the mixer line input itself.

Just struggling to choose the correct and fairly economical USB DAC that would satisfy the above and improve my setup. That is, if its a DAC I need??

 

[nutznadboltzmuzic]

*update*

Few more hours trawling and I think I've figured out I need a ACTIVE USB STEREO DI BOX

Radial USB Pro gets mentioned a lot, but it is quite expensive at £300.

Can anyone suggest a reasonable one for around £100?

 

[oozlum]

I would also like to know. Anyone?

(It would be great If radial usb pro di box got meassured!)

 

[AnalogSteph]

If you're fine with using the laptop on battery if need be, just an adapter cable (2x 3.5 mm stereo to 2x 6.3 mm TS) should be fine... if you plug in the charger and are greeted with a bunch of ground loop noise, throw a Behringer HD400 and another pair of TRS to TRS cables at the problem.

I can only guess that the OP's problem was that his cable's 3.5 mm 3-pin plug and laptop's 4-pin headset socket didn't particularly like each other (tolerances and stuff). Usually that should work, but if it doesn't, an adapter cable for separate headphone + mic into headset jack should sort that out.