Is Delta 1010 worth $200 more than Delta 1010LT?

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Jedman

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Everyone has helped me narrow my choices down to these two: The Delta 1010 and the Delta 1010LT. I'll be shipping back the EGO Sys. without even opening it.
I just need more than 4 inputs, and these seem like the best cards to do it. From your experience, is the 1010 worth the extra $200 it would cost me?
I guess I'm getting better DACs and balanced in/outs in a rack for the extra funds...what do you all think?
Would I be better off spending that $200 on mic pre amps?
Thanks as always,
Jed
 
I'd go wit the 1010, but what are you using for a preamp(s)? You have a mixer?

I like the 1010 being a rack unit. Plus the converters are not on the sound card inside that noisy environment called your PC.
 
all those inputs wont do you much good if you have crap for mic and preamps (which i dont know)...buf if you do need preamps, go with the 1010lt...it comes with 2 decent ones........
 
Well, I've got beta mics, and I was looking at buying some audio buddies for the pre-amps. I've got a 4 channel shure mixer, but like SLACK pointed out to me, that will only get me one channel of output. :)
Yeah, I could sure use the pres off the LT version. Someone also just suggested the C-Port to me... anyone know if it's as good as the Delta line?

Thanks again for all the time,
Jed
 
Acutally you'd have two channels with that mixer...left & right.

I don't think that the "converters on the card" is as big a deal as it's made out to be. Yes the arguments are sound, but we're not talking about a lot of noise. I've had both the Delta44 (converters on card) and Delta1010 (converters in box) and I must say that the difference in sound between the two was noticable but subtle. Both are decent values.

I've been following your selection processes and while I've never personally used or heard it, I think that the C-Port might be your best bet. Like I mentioned via PM, it's not the most popular system but everybody I see with one says they really like it, and that's gotta mean something. Now if you get one and it sucks, don't blame me :) I just think that connecting to the soundcard has a lot to do with how much you enjoy using the system...a nice rack mountable interface with balanced 1/4" inputs makes life easy. One thing you need to ask those c-port guys though is if it also supports low latency WDM in addition to ASIO2, as you don't want to limit your software choices.

Note also that the full Delta 1010 is designed more for fixed installations. It's ports are all in the rear (except MIDI in front and SPDIF on the card), which makes it kind of hard to use unless you have it racked with a patchbay. I have mine in a homeade rack box mounted BACKWARDS so I'm always looking at the rear of the card. Kinda funny but it works well.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Slackmaster2K said:
One thing you need to ask those c-port guys though is if it also supports low latency WDM in addition to ASIO2, as you don't want to limit your software choices.
Click to expand...

That situation has gotten somewhat better -- the latest Sonar free update allows ASIO drivers.

-lee-
 
Hijacking the thread only a little...

I'm getting a new PC this week as a little insurance backup unit and I'd like to add another 1010. Card only, no breakout box, in case I need to swap PC's. It'd be great to have a card loaded in each and just swap the cable from the box in case my system craps out.
Does anybody know if I can use the LT for that, or if I can buy the card separately, like with MOTU and Frontier?
 
Man, this is crazy! I just get my mind made up to go all out on a Delta 1010; then I see that it really would be more bang for the limited bucks I have to get the C-port...built in XLRs...if they're the same chips, why not? :)
Well, I'll try to find the best price on one of those...
Jed
 
Hey slack can you post a pic of your 1010 backwards? I was thinking about doing that because I don't want to deal with a patch bay. ;)
 
I'll see what I can do tonight. It's not much to look at though...just a homemade plywood rack box completely wrapped in duct tape (cause of slivers!, hehe) that's just...well...facing the wrong way :)

Slackmaster 2000
 
Hey Slack - I'm finally deciding! :D Man, I felt like a kid in his first candy store there. Well, I'm going to get the Delta 1010, because of the balanced in/out and the ablility to do +4db in case i need it in the next year. For Pre-amps, I'll get the ST Audio Pro 8-Channel Microphone Preamp...that setup will be more than what I need for a while, but keeps the options open.

What cables should I use to go from the preamp to the delta in?
(Yeah, I know, 1/4" patches):), but any special brand or type?
I've heard some people say not to get them too long...are 2m cables too long?

Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere!

Jed
 
Last edited:
Jedman said:


What cables should I use to go from the preamp to the delta in?
(Yeah, I know, 1/4" patches):), but any special brand or type?
I've heard some people say not to get them too long...are 2m cables too long?

Jed
Click to expand...

Cables.....one thing I had underestimated when I got into recording. I really hadn't budgeted for them and ended up (I hate to admit this at this BBS) buying Hosa cables. Well since then I have been replacing those with 1m monster studio cables. Not because I think Monster is the best or anything, but they are better than Hosa and I can get them at the local GC.
I think it's a general rule of thumb to go short lengths. Just plan on spending some good $$ on those cables!
 
Building your own cables is one thing I recommend for every homerec'er.

You could do your own high quality patch and mic cables using canare/mogami/etc & switchcraft or neutrik connectors for pretty cheap (from 39 cents a foot to around 80 cents a foot). markertek.com is a great source.

If you're into it, do some searching, this topic comes up a lot.

At any rate, make sure you buy TRS patch cables (stereo 1/4") so that you can make balanced connections when necessary. (they can still be used for unbalanced connections too). This isn't a rule, but it's better to be with than without IMO.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Heh... man, you guys caught me just in time with that last post. *hangs head* I was about to order a Hosa 8 cable patch set off of Musician's Friend. I didn't realize there was anything wrong with them...
Well, I'd like to make my own sometime, but I need a couple cables just to get me started. So for Patch cables, 1/4" to 1/4", just make sure they're balanced? (TRS).
And for mic cables, as long as it's XLR to XLR, lo-z, it's already balanced, right?

Jed
 
Jedman, you probably don't want to hear this, but I got one of those ST pro 8 channel preamps about 2 months ago and only 6 channels of preamp were working after a week. I've heard a similar story from someone else on the board. If you are good at fixing electronics, maybe it won't be a problem, but I'd steer clear of buying one if I were you.
 
Oh boy...where are these quality control guys they claim to have around factories these days?
Well, maybe I'll do a little looking around before I buy, then. But that unit seemed to have decently low noise preamps, so maybe I'll take a chance on it... Musician's Friend has 45 day money back, so I'd only be out the shipping.
Thanks for the heads up, though, and BTW, how do you guys order your parts for making your own cables?

Thanks,
Jed
 
you may find it best to avoid products like the "audio muddy", "dullta" and "Notu".
 
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