ADC in the E1DA Cosmos ADCiso's performance ballpark?

[Rainer Dynszis]

Hello all,

unfortunately I missed the opportunity to buy the E1DA Cosmos ADCiso, which seems to be out of production. Is there anything else out there that comes close? If the device were usable as a recording interface, I'd probably be able to pay in the low 4 digits*, but since RME stopped selling the ADI-2/4 Pro**, I don't know any other product except the Lynx Studio Hilo 2, which costs more than I'm willing to pay.

Does anyone know any alternative now or in the future?

*primarily a WAF limitation
**and any other ADI-2 Pro too

 

[torgeirs]

ADept

The miniDSP ADept is a compact high-resolution A/D (analog-to-digital) convertor that accepts single-ended (RCA) or balanced (on XLR) audio signals. The digital output is available on SPDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical connectors, and can also be recorded to a computer or mobile device via the...

www.minidsp.com

 

[Rainer Dynszis]

Thank you for replying. It's a tempting offer, and I'm still on the fence as to whether to buy that item, or to wait for a new batch of ADCs from @IVX becoming available. It's intended to be strictly a measurebation device, so it's not really pressing, but still ... decisions, decisions ...

 

[somebodyelse]

There's the upcoming Neurochrome NAx1 but at mid 4 digits I expect the price is too high. It's more like a combination of the E1DA devices in one box though, not just the ADCiso.

 

[phofman]

unfortunately I missed the opportunity to buy the E1DA Cosmos ADCiso, which seems to be out of production. Is there anything else out there that comes close?

IIUC that verision is basically non-isolated Cosmos ADC coupled with a USB2 isolator chip. That could be easily replaced with a standalone USB2 isolator, with the PSU powering the secondary/isolated side of the USB bus.

 

[EERecordist]

If you go to the Review Index page of ASR, select Audio Electronics, then search for ADC, and then sort for SINAD you will see an ordered list. Then you can read the reviews to see which work for you.

The list is what the ASR community loans to be tested. They are tested the same way.

There are many 2 in / 2 out desktop interfaces out there. Many have built in or add on processing plugins. A replacement model for 2 in / 2 out is expected from RME at an unknown future date. The NAB show is in April, and many pro audio vendors show there.

 

[Rainer Dynszis]

There's the upcoming Neurochrome NAx1

Thanks for the pointer. It's an interesting little company, but I have no clear idea what to make of the vestigial specs published so far, and how to imagine the use with no apparent adjustment knobs and not even LEDs to indicate what the thing is doing. And then, like you said, is the WAF factor.

IIUC that verision is basically non-isolated Cosmos ADC coupled with a USB2 isolator chip. That could be easily replaced with [...]

I glean that you propose a kludge for a previous Cosmos ADC that wasn't yet named ADCiso, but as far as I can see neither is available. E1DA's web shop on AliExpress is barren, the usual suspects like Linsoul.com and Audiophonics.fr are sold out, so it seems one must wait for a new batch. Thanks anyway.

If you go to the Review Index page of ASR, select Audio Electronics, then search for ADC,

Thanks, I know. That's how I found the E1DA ADC in the first place

 

[IVX]

Thank you for replying. It's a tempting offer, and I'm still on the fence as to whether to buy that item, or to wait for a new batch of ADCs from @IVX becoming available. It's intended to be strictly a measurebation device, so it's not really pressing, but still ... decisions, decisions ...

Hmm, we still have some ADCiso grade 0 storage, I mean our Aliexpress shop has it(about 20pcs).

 

[torgeirs]

I would jump on that offer. Doubt new version will be better. Hand selected best performance of this grade 0
I also use the Cosmos scaler.
Really small noise penalty and almost no THD penalty for much more easy interfacing with DUT. Espessially if the DUT should not be loaded.
Extreme spec for that variable gainstage

 

[Rainer Dynszis]

Hmm, we still have some ADCiso grade 0 storage, I mean our Aliexpress shop has it(about 20pcs).

I would jump on that offer. Doubt new version will be better. Hand selected best performance of this grade 0

Thanks both. The offer on AliExpress seems to be blocked for Germany, rather than sold out. I will try to find out how to work around this.

Edit: While we're at it, can one use a run-of-the-mill USB charger without audio performance penalty, or does it make sense to power the ADCiso by a High-End 5V LPS?

 

[torgeirs]

Standard quality normal powerbank or usb power suffice. That is also the requirement for the other boxes. So no need for expencive power or cabling

 

[torgeirs]

To promote another problem solver:
The cosmos LPF has a mode that makes it a low input impedance, 0,1 ohm output impedance balanced to unbalanced converter. For measuring unbalanced DUT from a balanced HP amp.
Guess a stereo signal can be made a balanced mono signal also if some cabling work is done

 

[torgeirs]

The analog boxes uses composite amps so superlow harmonics and 100mA drive

 

[Rainer Dynszis]

To promote another problem solver:
The cosmos LPF

Thanks for the tip. I understand you refer to the item sold under the name "Cosmos APU", yes? Does it make any sense to buy this in addition to the Cosmos Scaler I already bought?

 

[torgeirs]

It’s a uniqe board sold on the same page as the APU. But it is not the APU
Difficult to find the documentation, easiest too google cosmos LPF.
The other function of the board is a 1k 2. order lpf to filter out harmonics of a 1k sine from a DAC

 

[torgeirs]

It also have DC blocking input caps that don’t distort.
Because of the 400 ohm superlow input impedance of the balubal and the composite amp, the output noise is 0.5 micro volts rms
Hard to beat on a 50€ card with 5 volt usb input

 

[torgeirs]

But expect some time to get used to the dip switch settings if both functions are used