m-audiophile 96khz versus 192 Khz

[rogi138]

i'm comparing two soundcards:

M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI Digital Audio Card
M-Audio Audiophile 192 PCI Interface

i have been using the first one for years (but now it's gone) and i have an option of bying a new one for $99 or getting a used(but working) audiophile 192... i compared them on musiciansfriend.com and these are the differences :
(blue values are for the first one, red values are for the second one)

Analog Outputs 2 4
Digital IO N/A spdif
Digital Ins N/A 2
Digital Outputs N/A 2
Dynamic Range ADA 101-110 db 111-120 db
Sample Rate up to 96k up to 192k

i'm running reason and nuendo mainly... i dont really know what difference that dinamic range makes and i dont really know if the sample rate will make much difference... i mean i know it does, but most people in Guitar center said that it won't make any noticible difference... also they said that the best sampling rate is 174 ( if i heard correctly )... i guess that would help out when running REASON, but than again they said it's not that much of a difference... can somebody explain?

and what would i use those digital outs for? can i transfer a bunch of tracks at the same time on a-dat?

what should i go for?

 

[DonF]

Analog Outputs 2 4
Digital IO N/A spdif
Digital Ins N/A 2
Digital Outputs N/A 2

I have an Audiophile 2496, and it does have S/PDIF (digital) I/O. So unless they've redesigned it (which I doubt), your information from MF is incorrect. (I checked on M-Audio's web site, http://www.m-audio.com, and the information there confirms this.) Also, the 192 has 2 analog outs, not 4. One difference that may be significant to you is that the 192 has balanced analog I/O, vs. unbalanced for the 2496.

most people in Guitar center said that it won't make any noticible difference

I happen to agree with the GC folks in this case. 192kHz vs. 96kHz is unlikely to sound any better in a home studio environment. It's possible that 192 would sound worse, because the timing tolerances are much tighter, and the likelihood of jitter causing problems increases, with higher sample rates.

and what would i use those digital outs for? can i transfer a bunch of tracks at the same time on a-dat?

No, S/PDIF is limited by design to two channels of audio. I've used it to transfer stereo tracks into my computer from a DAT (not ADAT) machine and a DVD player.

If the price were the same, or close, I'd probably take the 192. If the 192 is $179, vs. $99 for the 2496, I'd go for the 2496.

Don

 

[Robert D]

Don answered you nicely. Just in case you want a second opinion, 192K is a major resource hog, and if you check the sample rate poll on this site, you'll find that most folks consider even 96K to be not worth the overhead, with most recording at 44.1K for bound for CD projects.
S/PDIF can be used for digital transfers, but 2 mono tracks, or 1 stereo track at a time. You can use synchronization to do multiple passes though, and the same SPDIF cable that carries the 2 channels of digital audio can also carry the reference clock. SPDIF can also be used for digitally interfacing to outboard effects units so equipped, digital mixers, and active monitors with S/PDIF ins. It can also be used to sync different soundcards with dis-similar drivers.

To make your decision, I'd suggest doing your own homework at M-Audio.com, and never take a salespersons word about anything. Most of the time they either don't know what they're talking about, or they're lying.

 

[BigRay]

between those two I would get the ESI Juli@ because Maudio blows goats. As does their customer service..

the Julia isnt expensive either.

 

[dgatwood]

But... but... if I don't have 192 kHz, I can't ensure that my audio is automatically time stamped by WWVB (60 kHz) using only RF leakage!

 

[Massive Master]

$3,000.00 program, worrying about a $99 sound card and doesn't understand what digital I/O is for...

That jus' don't smell right...

 

[noisewreck]

I say 192kHz is a big waste of bandwidth and storage place... plus it sounds worse on budget cards than 44.1 kHz on decent cards. 192kHz doesn't make any sence, unless you've got Prizm converters, and are doing DVD-A and SACD.

 

[true-eurt]

$3,000.00 program, worrying about a $99 sound card and doesn't understand what digital I/O is for...

That jus' don't smell right...

Maybe he is related to WALTERS.

 

[rogi138]

$3,000.00 program, worrying about a $99 sound card and doesn't understand what digital I/O is for...

That jus' don't smell right...

i downloaded the program for free, i'm worried about $99 because i got screwed out of a thousand $$$ worth of equipment and i dont know what i could use digital I/O's for because i was too bussy screwing everyone's girlfriends after i was done tracking my guitars in the studio (that explain the smell too)...

anyways... tx for the info, i guess it's m-audio2496

 

[studiomaster]

i downloaded the program for free, i'm worried about $99 because i got screwed out of a thousand $$$ worth of equipment and i dont know what i could use digital I/O's for because i was too bussy screwing everyone's girlfriends after i was done tracking my guitars in the studio (that explain the smell too)...

anyways... tx for the info, i guess it's m-audio2496

FOR FREE??? YOU DONT BELONG HERE!!

 

[Robert D]

Crap, I hate when I help someone out of the ditch, only to find out it was a stolen car.

New advice - take the S/PDIF cable and plug one end into your excreta out, the other into the nearest AC outlet.

 

[CIRO]

The audiophile 192 is not better than the 2496 just because works in 192 khz....

Analyze the tech specifications and you´ll see than the 192 is an upgrade.I had an 2496, change for the 192 and i tell you: the difference in sound (better conversors) really exist, you have more accurate response of transients,better bass, will hear details in percussion that you couldn´t before.

Is a step up


But...it´s not comparable with an apogee

 

[altiris]

I have Reason 3, Nuendo 3, Cubase SX3, Acid pro 6, Logic7. I need advice on wich sound card to use. I am looking at the soundblaster cards. Are they any good? I need a cheap card because I poor and don’t have money to buy an expensive card. Also are the Beringher mixers any good? Thanks for any advice

 

[dgatwood]

FOR FREE??? YOU DONT BELONG HERE!!

Judging by the "I was too busy screwing everyone's girlfriend" remark, I'm guessing that was sarcasm.

(Watch now. Somebody's going to quote me, and the quote will say "dgatwood wrote: I was too busy screwing evveryone's girlfriend...").

 

[CIRO]

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[wx3]

I don't understand why everyone jumps on the Nuendo download train....

I have Cubase LE and I'm quite sure I could make a much better mix on that then Nuendo. I mean how many bells and whistles does the typical home recorder need, especially with the abundance of free VSTs and the like.

 

[Garik]

ok i must say something here

Ballanced outputs are better than an unballanced ones...you say there isnt much difference? there isnt until you hook up a patchbay and then see the outcome.

Anyway for the guy who asked about the 192 VS 2496 i heard the top of the line soundblaster is the best card you can get.It even compares to the $1000-$3000 souncards. Better hurry because they might run out,its the latest edition,i'm sure everyone here will agree on this one