Posted 07/01/09 at 07:10:15 PM by Paul Lilly

We'll admit that a soundcard isn't the first thing that came to mind when we heard you could order the "Tube Delight" online. But that's exactly what it is, and it's the funkiest USB audio solution we've ever seen.

The portable PC soundcard comes encased in a transparent vacuum tube with a fade-in-out blue LED for power-on and idle status indication. It supports 16-bit 16KHz/32KHz/48KHz recording and playback with both rated at THD+N -73dB and SNR 85dB, and comes with the obligatory 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports.

Hong Kong vendor Brando has the USB soundcard on sale now for $32, which is as cheap as you'll ever find anyone selling anything having to do with a Tube Delight.

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Posted 04/07/09 at 05:09:57 PM by Andy Salisbury

If you’ve heard of Brando (and you probably haven’t), you know that they often create wacky products that few would genuinely find useful (I’m looking at you, USB dock/thermometer). But, it looks like they’ve finally struck some gold with the SATA HDD Dock Station Combo Stereo Speaker + Hub.

The Dock Station is a (you guessed it) dock that features compatibility for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives, as well as space for up to two USB 2.0 devices. It also has USB audio, three-watt speakers and volume control right on the surface. And, while the speakers may not blow away of the audiophiles in the audience, it is a nice multitasker that can help assist a laptop user’s music experience, as well as provide a healthy dose of external storage.

If you’re looking to snag one of these, you can get it off of Brando’s site for $59.

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