soundcard debate:audiophile/echo/maudio

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michaelq

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hey all. i'm looking into a soundcard for my computer. i run cool edit pro-(i'm lost when it comes to compatibility issues) and use a behringer ub1204 fxpro mixer.
the cards i'm looking at are:
audiophile 2496 pci digital audio card
echo mia pci card
m-audio delta 410 pci recording system

and any other cards you want to discuss around $300 or less.

i have included some links to spec. info/reviews for each of the cards so if anyone is wanting to learn more about these cards before giving me their input this is fine as well.

audiophile 2496 pci digital audio card link:
http://www.core-sound.com/audiophile_2496.html

echo mia pci card link:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/echomia/

m-audio delta 410 link:
http://store.yahoo.com/humbucker/mmdelta410.html (i couldnt find a good review on this one)

so i guess this is a start..if anyone wants to add any to this list please do, and comment at all on pros and cons of any of these or other cards.
 
anyone of those would be fine and gives you the same result.

I personally have the AP2496.
 
I've owned them all. All fine choices.
Using the spdif i/o on the Echo works less transparent than with the m-audio cards. When connecting an external a/d-d/a converter, the Echo often shits its pants (crashes) when trying to playback sounds with an different sample rate than the clock of the external converter while the m-audio cards do the trick effortlessly. I use a Mindprint DI-port on the spdif i/o so to me it's a big deal.
However the Echo has balanced +4dB analog I/O and 8 virtual outputs which is very nice.

At this point I have an AP which serves me well. I actually sold my 410 for a good price to get an AP (I didn't need the extra outputs so I gladly traded them for midi i/o which I do need) and the AP is in europe still cheaper than the 410.
 
i cant figure out two things...how many ins/outs the 410 has, and secondly...i dont understand what the "8 virtual outs" are on the echo. if any can let me know about either of these that'd be great.
 
The 410 has a total of 4 inputs and 10 outputs. There are 2 analog inputs, 8 analog outputs, and 2 s/pdif inputs and another 2 outs. Don't know about the echo
 
The Mia has physically the same amount of inputs as the AP. 2 analog ins, 2 analog outs and spdif i/o.

However, the Mia will show in your Windows settings with 4 output pairs (=8).
With 8 virtual outs, it is possible to assign separate outputs to different audio programs and run them simultaneously in the box.
For instance: Cubase SX -> virtual 1+2, Gigastudio -> virtual 3+4 Gigastudio.
The virtual outputs are then internally mixed together by the Mia software to either the spdif out or the 2 analog outs. Pretty neat.

But then again: With features like VST and Rewire, the need for extra outputs like that isn't always there.


I hope this made any sense.
 
if you don't need midi i'd get the m-audio delta 44, or the 66 if you need spdif. 4 ins/4outs, same converters as the rest of the range, but with a breakout box which is both more convenient and potentially reduces magnetic interference. i took it over an AP for about the same price.
 
noisedude said:
i took it over an AP for about the same price.
Click to expand...
Then you were lucky. They're usually still in the 200+ range.
 
okay. what i'm not understanding about the 410 is...when i look at pictures i see 2 analog inputs, and then the 8 outs, but in no picture do i see and s/pdif ...unless i'm misunderstanding this concept...but as far as i know these are just digital inputs that i should be able to see...but if you click on the 410 link in my first post and enlarge the picture i only see 2 ins on this card.
 
yes..and another question is what is the use for so many outputs..what would you possibly run that all out to? i'm obviously a newb..but any info at all would be great..thanks
 
christiaan said:
Then you were lucky. They're usually still in the 200+ range.
Click to expand...

over here they're only a tenner more than the APs but i think that's more due to the AP being overpriced. i got my delta 44 for £169 which was good for two years ago.

michaelq, the outputs are for all the other equipment you may have or may obtain in the future - external recording devices, effects units, monitors, headphones, mixers, samplers etc. it's mostly to save you plugging and unplugging loads but once you're doing more at once you may really start to need more than just one stereo pair.
 
michaelq said:
okay. what i'm not understanding about the 410 is...when i look at pictures i see 2 analog inputs, and then the 8 outs, but in no picture do i see and s/pdif ...unless i'm misunderstanding this concept...but as far as i know these are just digital inputs that i should be able to see...but if you click on the 410 link in my first post and enlarge the picture i only see 2 ins on this card.
Click to expand...

The s/pdif jacks are the 2 gold plated jobs on the card itself just above the breakout cable
 
And what the hell is the purpose of a s/pdif? Greek is a very difficult language.
 
It's the Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format.

Used when transferring a digital signal from one device to another. The benefit of using it is you bypass the analog to digital converters
 
_________________________________________________
Originally posted by: Bulls Hit
The s/pdif jacks are the 2 gold plated jobs on the card itself just above the breakout cable
_________________________________________________

i thought the red and white were analog, unless you're talking solely about the gold plated only...in which case i'd only call it a 2 input (at once)...or maybe i'm wrong and those are the digital and i'm not seeing the analog on the 410. how many simulataneous inputs can i have, and if i have a mixer and monitors would i use two outs for each monitor and two (left and right stereo) for my mixer...so 4 used up..or are these outs already stereo?
 
That's right - the red & white coloured jacks on the card are your s/pdif in and out. They're counted as 2 ins and outs because they handle a stereo signal.
You have 2 analog simultaneous inputs with this card, plus the stereo s/pdif input for a total of 4 simultaneous inputs. However if you don't have another s/pdif device, then effectively you've just go the 2 analog ins.

Yes you would use the outs as you desrcibe. They are all mono outs, so a pair for your monitors, and another pair for your mixer....
 
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