delta 44 still "good"? vs Layla 3g

  • Thread starter Thread starter omtayslick
  • Start date Start date
O

omtayslick

New member
I'm considering upgrading my 2 channel interface for something with 4 inputs. I am currently running at 16 bit, so chances are any of these would be a sound upgrade for me. I am considering the delta 44 or the Layla 3G. How big is the sonic difference between these two? (considering the much newer converters on the Layla) I want 4 inputs, but nothing wrong with 8, especially if the Layla is much better soundwise. Why are the Delta 44 and 66 still hangin' around? Are they that good, or has the M-powered Pro-tools deal breathed new life into something that otherwise would have been discontinued?
 
I can't speak to the Delta directly, though the used M-Audio 2496 I bought for my old computer performed quite well.

As for the Layla 3G, I can only guess. I have two Layla 24/96 interfaces, and I just love 'em. I can only assume the newer Laylas sound even better. The 3G has two built-in mic pres that the 24/96's didn't have, but I haven't read anything about how good those pres really are.

If it were me and those were my ONLY choices, though, I'd go 3G.
 
MadAudio said:
If it were me and those were my ONLY choices, though, I'd go 3G.
Click to expand...

I know that it seems funny to narrow it down to those 2 specifically, but here are the reasons:

I have an older computer. PIII, 996 Mhz, maxed out at 512 RAM. The delta specs state that it will run on my computer with ease. In fact it will run on a PII. I talked to someone at Echo, and they said the 3G should run ok on the PIII also. Although their website does not specify processor speed requirements, the gent at echo said I should be fine as long as I don't go crazy with high overhead plug-ins. I considered the Delta 1010, but for $100 more I can get the 3g with two preamps and newer conversion. The 44 is only being considered for a cost cutting measure if it is "adequate".

My fascination with the newer converters stems from a recent thread by "mr. Songwriter" in which he upgraded fron an Audiophile 24/96 to an Audiophile 192. He said before the upgrade he was constantly fiddling with plug-ins and never quite getting the sound right. After getting the 192, he said it sounded better with no proccessing than the 24/96 tracks sounded with all his fussing over them.

Here's the thread if anyone's interested:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=218409&highlight=Audiophile+192
 
The Layla 3G allegedly have "the same A/D converters used in Digidesigns flagship ProTools HD 192 I/O interface"

I got one, and I love it. Have had some issues with nforce4 motherboard, but new drivers pretty much solved that. Though, I haven't really used the preamps much (I use a mindprint envoice preamp).

It looks great, too ;)
 
The Layla 3g converters are way better sonically than the M-Audio to my ears when I've compared. Others may have other opinions. The Laylas have rock solid drivers and work well with old operating systems. Plus Laylas interface well with other synchronized pieces in a larger system. Deltas do not have near the capability when I have tried to interface them to outside systems (may or may not ever be an issue for you). Additionally, there will be drivers for the Layla 3gs for Vista as well.

Now, that being said... your results on a pIII with 512mb ram with ANY card at 96k or 192k are going to be your own call from your own experience. Folks can tell you all day long that a particular card will interface happily with your existing system. Which is true. However it is an art to create a well-tweaked full P4 with 2-3gb ram to run well at 96k or 192k. You're hinting that you expect your PIII with 512mg ram to easily handle these high bit/sample rates. Maybe it will, maybe it won't.

Considering the quantum leap of power needed in cpu, disk throughput, ram for the 24 bit 96k and 192k areas, your PIII system may work fine...or it may totally freeze up. If glitches happen, it's not going to be the card's fault...whatever card you eventually decide on.
 
TheTrickster said:
The Layla 3G allegedly have "the same A/D converters used in Digidesigns flagship ProTools HD 192 I/O interface"

I got one, and I love it. Have had some issues with nforce4 motherboard, but new drivers pretty much solved that. Though, I haven't really used the preamps much (I use a mindprint envoice preamp).

It looks great, too ;)
Click to expand...

The Pro Tools HD system A/D converter's isn't as great as they say it is. We use Apogee a/d converters and run those into the PT HD system. Not to say that they horribly suck though... Just stating something..
 
Thanks all for the useful comments. It seems the echo is much more highly regarded, as I suspected would be the case.

As for increased bit depth and sample rate: I am only interested in 24/44.1

So.... In your experience does 24 bit require a lot more cpu power for tracking and processing? Or is it primarily a file size memory storage issue?
 
omtayslick said:
Thanks all for the useful comments. It seems the echo is much more highly regarded, as I suspected would be the case.

As for increased bit depth and sample rate: I am only interested in 24/44.1

So.... In your experience does 24 bit require a lot more cpu power for tracking and processing? Or is it primarily a file size memory storage issue?
Click to expand...
It's the sample rate, not the bit-depth, that will have a significant effect on file size.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top