A/D converters?

ishou

New member
I know that one needs a good A/D converter...but how exactly can you tell if one is good? Using technical specs, for example, I'm seeing one card that looks like this:
Measured A/D specs:
99dB (A-weighted) dynamic range, 0.0023% THD @ 0dBFS

Can I tell anything from this or do I just have to use my ears to gauge the quality of a converter?
 
Specs aside

With all due respect to written soecs I wouldn't put to much emphesis on it.

Here is a couple of suggestions on how to use your ears.

* If you can bring some analog recording and record it to the digital system
Make sure the volume is the same on both systems.
Noe check to hear any difference. It should be as close as possible

* Most 24 bit converters sound good today so when you listen, foget the dynamic range. listen to the balance of the sound and the sweetness.
Any change of color presents a problem. Remember ! don't look for a sweeter sound. Look for a exact copy of your sound (what is sweet on some material might suck on other).

* Listen to a piano with a some room reverb and listen to the tail of the reverb. Look out for distortion. Also listen to the note dying away, If you hear any extra noise

* Listen to some hard percussion - See if you hear a softer attack - not good

These are some basic things you can do.
 
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