Soundcard Vs. Audio Interface, What's needed to connect G4 + Monitors ? Options

[Fields]

Hi Everyone, always enjoyed the info you all share... I dug around the old posts, couldn't find anything related to my question...

I have a PowerBook G4 (400mhz, 10gig, 640mb, original soundcard). I write all my music in Reason, and I'd like to get some decent powered monitors.

Common sense tells me not to just take the headphone 1/8'' output, throw a 1/8''<to>1/4'' adapter on the cord and plug it into the 1/4'' input of the monitors.

So my question is... Do I need an external soundcard? or just an audio interface? (like that handy 410)

I'd like to be able to connect my pc to the setup as well, so I can mixdown my Reason tracks in CubaseSX2 until I get the G5.

Thanks y'all.
-Fields
http://www.zebox.com/exillon
http://www.zodrecords.com

[Synthetic]

ideally, the sound card or interface should have balanced monitor line outs that you plug into your monitors... but I don't think many interfaces offer a balanced line out and most offer either just 1/4" or 1/8" unbalanced outputs... so depending on how much you spend on your sound card or interface will probably determine what type of outputs it has.

I was considering an Echo card for my laptop that has 1/8" outs.

[Fields]

Thanks Synthetic.

I had re-read up on my balanced/unbalanced connections.

So, I've had my eye on the 410 for a while, I will probabaly end up buying it because the unbalanced TRS thing shouldn't be an issue if I'm just running a short cable to my monitors.

However, I'm curious... Anyone know of an interface out there similar to the M-Audio 410 with Balanced TRS Ouputs?

-Fields

[Fields]

just saw that the Quattro USB has balanced TRS ANALOG outputs...

and also the Oministudio USB...