Delta 1010 sound quality vs. that of 1010LT, Delta 66?

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geekgurl

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I've seen in several posts on this board that the Delta 1010 is the best-sounding card out there ... that part of this is because of its converters.

Does anyone know how the Delta 1010LT and Delta 66 stack up to the rack 1010 in terms of sound quality? They're cheaper, and I'm thinking the 66's 6 ins would be enough for me, so if the price more reflects the 1010's I/O than anything else, I'd prefer to save the $$ and just get a 66. But if the sound quality of the 1010 is leaps and bounds better than either the 1010LT or 66, I'll get the 1010.

Thanks.
 
Don't sweat it so much. I had the Delta44 (exactly the same as the Delta66 but with no SPDIF) and now have the Delta1010. The Delta1010 *does* sound different, but it's subtle. If you're relatively new to this whole game, then you will be satisified with the Delta66. We're not talking apples and oranges here. The only reason I upgraded to the 1010 is that I needed more inputs, and I was able to score one used at an incredible price.

Seriously, I'm assuming you're upgrading from some consumer soundcard like a soundblaster. You will be very happy with how much better your tracks and resulting mixes sound with the Delta66. You'd be better off putting the money you'll save elsewhere, like some decent microphones, preamps, cables, etc.

Oh, and the Delta series really hold their value on Ebay. You can always sell the sucker later and upgrade to the 1010 without losing much in the deal!

Slackmaster 2000
 
Just wanted to point out that with the Delta 66 you only have six usable inputs if you have something with an S/PDIF output to plug into it.
 
Slackmaster2K said:
Don't sweat it so much. I had the Delta44 (exactly the same as the Delta66 but with no SPDIF) and now have the Delta1010. The Delta1010 *does* sound different, but it's subtle. If you're relatively new to this whole game, then you will be satisified with the Delta66. We're not talking apples and oranges here. The only reason I upgraded to the 1010 is that I needed more inputs, and I was able to score one used at an incredible price.

Seriously, I'm assuming you're upgrading from some consumer soundcard like a soundblaster. You will be very happy with how much better your tracks and resulting mixes sound with the Delta66. You'd be better off putting the money you'll save elsewhere, like some decent microphones, preamps, cables, etc.

Oh, and the Delta series really hold their value on Ebay. You can always sell the sucker later and upgrade to the 1010 without losing much in the deal!

Slackmaster 2000
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the info, Slack and AlChuck. Actually I am upgrading from a 20-bit Echo Gina card (only 2 audio ins + SPDIF) ... but I suspect I'll still hear a difference even if I go w/ the 66 as opposed to the 1010. I might try my luck at landing a good deal on the 1010 at Ebay ... or, if the diff is that subtle, maybe just go for the 1010lt and get some additional reasonable preamped channels + more than just 4 audio ins + SPDIF.

Based on what I've read, I understand the M-audio pres in the LT are the same as the DMP-3. Anyone know if this is true/false?
 
Ah, well the Gina is a nice card. You might not hear much of a difference, and there's even a chance that a Delta will sound worse to you! Just a warning...I haven't used anything by echo.

I would find it very hard to believe that the pres on the LT are the same as the DMP-3. Even if they're similar, the power circuits will be completely different, and the LT is in an extremely noisy environment (e.g. your computer). I can't imagine them sounding equal...and if they are, then I guess that's why they had some headroom to add analog VU meters and a spiffy box :)

Slackmaster 2000
 
same as the DMP3?....that would be false......

i would think that its still a pretty decent preamp, as they have made good pre's all the way back to the Audio Buddy......
 
hmm

will I notice going from a sound blaster live value to a delta 44? And is that just in recording? or listening and mixing and everything? Is it really necisary? i play games and listen to music on this computer, will it work with that? and sound good?
 
Gidge said:
same as the DMP3?....that would be false......

i would think that its still a pretty decent preamp, as they have made good pre's all the way back to the Audio Buddy......
Click to expand...

the delta 1010LT is based on the dmp3 though...i don't know if the pres sound the same or not though. after recording with he 1010lt a few weeks back i can say the regular 1010 still sounds the best, but for the price the 1010lt isn't bad.
 
Thanks for your insight, Slack. Question though:

Slackmaster2K said:
Ah, well the Gina is a nice card. You might not hear much of a difference, and there's even a chance that a Delta will sound worse to you! Just a warning...I haven't used anything by echo.
Click to expand...

So having 20-bit conversion instead of 24-bit conversion isn't anything I should worry about, like even after 16 tracks of compounded inputs with 4 bits less of resolution? Since I'm pretty new at this, I try to get the best signal going onto tracks as possible, because I'm not seasoned enough to know the workarounds or perfect tweaks -- in other words, I'm well aware that I can make things sound worse by processing and trying to "fix" them, even with software that processes in 24 bits. I just want to stack the deck in my favor as best I can, but hey, if I won't gain a significant improvement in sonic quality by ugrading from 20 bits to 24 bits, then I'll save the ducats!

BTW, ambi, I've not heard the Delta 44 -- does that have breakout box with A/D conversion outside the computer like the Gina? -- but doing my own comparison of recording into Pro Tools Free via BOTH SB Live and my *20-bit* Gina card, I heard a huge difference, both in recording AND listening back.
 
The 1010lt came out before the DMP3, didnt it?....

anyway, i did get a email from one bozo at Midiman that said the 101lt preamp was based on DMP2 technology, but a later email from a different person confirmed that it wasnt true.....

1st email
-----------
AKM converters and the pre amps are based on DMP2 technology.

Thank you for your inquiry.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to email me or refer to our website at www.m-audio.net.

thx Greg St. Peter


2nd email
------------

Hi Mike,

The 1010LT uses codecs, not the AKM converters. Only our Delta 1010 rack unit uses AKM converters. The LT's mic pres (XLR inputs) will accept either line level or mic level signals, and the distinction is made by setting a jumper on the PCI card. So, it's really just an electronic setting on the card, and does not use the DMP2 technology.

JD Mars
Midiman
 
dmp2... not dmp3... Jd mars knows what he's talking about... i know the 1010lt uses codecs not converters like the regular 1010 but i could have sworn the pres were based off dmp2... o well i know it doesn't sound as good as the regular 1010 though.
 
i remember that post when we found out it had codecs... we were talkin about its soud quality to the audiophile 24/96
 
What's this JD Mars email address? Maudio never replies to me.
 
JD MARS
jd@midiman.net

most of the time i get responses to emails......



greg st. peter is greg@midiman.net
i invited him to email me back and tell me why he gave such gross misinformation......never heard back.....
 
slackmaster,

I have a friend who wants to buy your delta66 if you'll give him a good price. Do you also have a preamp that you want to sell?

thanks
 
Moto vs Delta

Kind of off the topic here but how do the converters on the Moto 2408 and 24i stack up agains the delta 1010s?
 
i had a 2408 (20bit 48 hz) and 3 adats when i first started. it sounded prety good, but there is a noticable differance
in that and my latest stough, delta 1010 (24bit, 96hz). It seems that i mix alittle diferently than i did befor because things are clearer than befor and i dont have to make them sound crisp throuhg EQ...
Now i beleve the saying junk in = junk out. No mater what type of recording gear you have(tape,adat,computer...)
you shuold be able to get good sound quality. But, how you do that for each media will differ quite abit.
take a listen to my studio upgrades through demo's. http://gbstudio.net/
 
I have not used the 1010LT yet, but the installation (yesterday) was GREAT. No problems whatsoever.... yet.

Still "moving" (washer, dryer, this there, that here, etc.). If it helps, I'll post what problems I run into as it goes along (kept the Soundblaster in there for the DVD stuff (and for CD playback, which apparently is some weird config unless you're running 2000 w/ CD digital drivers or somesuch...)).

Everything has shown up perfectly without any port errors so far. :D
 
delta 0101

I think you wont regret the 1010.
mine has worked with no problem at all for over a year now.
I did take my soundblaster card out as
I had to do too many things to switch back and forth.and would get confusing.
While trying to record I like to keep it simple so as to consintrate on the quality of the recording it self.
I use a technics pre amp going to a 800 watt technics amp for monitering and a 5 dic cd player (yamaha), to play cd's.
another reason i do this is that I want to moniter through the 1010 only, because I always record at 24bit and 96 hz.
and soundblaster doesnt support this bit depth or freq. Also your sound blaster card will sound different (worse) than the 1010. this can be a good thing for final mix's as I will always listen to my final mix through my monitering system that i have adjusted to have flat freq. respons, a little boom box, in my car (with a bad sound system) and make a freind try one for a honest oppinion. This system has helped alot as mixes are real consistant now.If I need to listen to a cd on the comp. I load the tracks into a program and play them from there.

Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
 
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