Sorry, I'm still a little confused here. So, to be clear, is there any specific advantage of using an amp with balanced inputs over an amp with unbalanced inputs?
As of right now I'm using just the UMC204HD and I'm planning on pairing it with a headphone amp. I may use it with monitors in the future, but that's pretty unlikely.
Since it seems like the UMC204HD has low output, I'm concerned that if I couple it with another amp in this price range (most likely the O2, which was given a favorable review, which also has a lower output compared to other units according to amirm. The o2 doesn't have balanced inputs I believe.
That's why Jinjuku's statement confused me, because they seem to be saying that an amp with balanced inputs bypasses the low output issue, but I don't understand why because as I thought the difference is mostly with noise, and not really with output level.
As of right now I'm using just the UMC204HD and I'm planning on pairing it with a headphone amp. I may use it with monitors in the future, but that's pretty unlikely.
Since it seems like the UMC204HD has low output, I'm concerned that if I couple it with another amp in this price range (most likely the O2, which was given a favorable review, which also has a lower output compared to other units according to amirm. The o2 doesn't have balanced inputs I believe.
That's why Jinjuku's statement confused me, because they seem to be saying that an amp with balanced inputs bypasses the low output issue, but I don't understand why because as I thought the difference is mostly with noise, and not really with output level.
I currently use the Sennheiser HD 558 which are driven fine by the UMC204HD, but I'd probably be upgrading either to the HD 600 or more likely the AKG K612/AKG K712 PRO as I think it's a more meaningful upgrade for my use case. I'm a heavy music listener/gamer so it seems like a good bet. I imagine on the O2 with the 6.5x gain stage I'd be having no issues whatsoever with all but the most power hungry of headphones.
About 100 dB, mostly limited by the anemic output level. See my measurements here.What is the SINAD of this thing?
First time poster. The UMC204 and 404 are not "DACs", they are interfaces for DAWs used in audio production. Today's "chips" are excellent, Behringer uses the same chips as everyone else, so many studio people happily pay 1/2 or less of what more famous brands charge, and are willing to put up with the lack of documentation and support. Schematics, LOL? And it costs a small fraction of what the alleged "audiophile" units with lovely enclosures cost.
But they have to curtail costs somehow. The output level e.g. is limited by the 5 volt supply. Their $250 FCA1616 uses a 12 volt supply and converts voltages internally, provides true balanced outputs and many other advantages, like either Firewire or USB, and multiple digital I/Os. My FCA1616 just lost its power supply circuits after being on 24x7 for over 5 years. Like most modern gear with surface mounted components, it cannot be repaired without specialized equipment, but it was a bargain overall.
I had a UMC204HD as a backup unit, so I've been evaluating the UMC404HD for more I/O. I'm finding it's got the same unbalanced outs and -10dB output limits. I thought perhaps the Phones out (that drives AKG 701s just fine) could be used as a +4 output, that's an old studio trick. No dice. As you can see here, at 1 volt per division, the +/- 2.5 volts rails are where the signal clips. There's also a very high frequency hash on the signal.
View attachment 17161
On the main output the rails are even more limited, more like +/- 1.5 volts. But no hash.
View attachment 17162
This level limit doesn't matter if you use it at standard -10 dBv home equipment levels. Powered speakers and amplifiers normally accept a -10 dB signal, and with careful grounding cable runs of 25ft or more are OK.
As long as you don't try to defy the limitations of the design, it's a very decent and inexpensive solution. I don't hear the hash on the headphone jack, though it's ugly on the scope. I'll have to check if it's the same on the UMC204HD that I'm keeping as a backup.