Depends on how deep down you want the measurement to go. For most normal stuff, a Scarlett 2i2 is more than good enough.
Thanks, it is 106dB AW, probably good for -100dB down, right?
Depends on how deep down you want the measurement to go. For most normal stuff, a Scarlett 2i2 is more than good enough.
If you are going to be doing speaker/amp level measurements the QA401 is probably a good deal. A soundcard and something else like the Pete Millet interface could work too. The QA401 is set up for your needs, and likely cleaner than what you are measuring. There is a question not resolved in my mind in regards to noise floor modulation, but that isn't going to be a problem for your purposes.Hi - question for ya'll relevant to this thread.
I do a large portion of my listening out of my OTL tube amplifier. I'd love to have an affordable measurement setup such that I can quantify the harmonic distortion profiles of various input/output tubes and see if there is a correlation to my subjective listening preferences.
Would the QuantAsylum QA401 be a good choice for this use case? The price is reasonable and it seems to be getting very positive feedback.
Also, I have never taken audio measurements before, so I will have to do a fair amount of learning. I am not an electrical engineer, although my first degree is in a STEM field (now work in healthcare), I'm confident I can figure it out.
Thanks!
Like SIY said, a 2i2 can do a lots. A 2nd hand Forte is a quieter cleaner device. You can get those 2nd hand for $200. But it is a discontinued interface which it is appears they aren't going to support in the future on the software side. The same ASIO drivers as offered initially. They do work fine with Windows 10 and the current Mac OS. Really clean microphone pres on this if you care.Any suggestions for a reasonably priced competent USB-based ADC solution? I've been thinking about getting the RME ADI-2 Pro just because it is such a Swiss army knife, but can't justify paying the price for my modest needs.
It has a scalar and software tailored for measurements. These things are very important.What does the QA401 have additional to offer over say a Scarlett 2i2 ? Just better integration with the software measurement tools?
I've not had hands on one. But it offers you the chance to connect speaker level signals without harm. You can do that with a 2i2 without possibly damaging it unless you create or get some sort of box to drop the signal level. It would be much more convenient.What does the QA401 have additional to offer over say a Scarlett 2i2 ? Just better integration with the software measurement tools?
A sound card plus an interface like Pete Millett's will be able to get you capabilities to get those spectra at a very low cost.
If it helps, I wrote a series of articles on this in AudioXpress. Here's part one of the series, with links to the other parts at the end.
If you are going to be doing speaker/amp level measurements the QA401 is probably a good deal. A soundcard and something else like the Pete Millet interface could work too. The QA401 is set up for your needs, and likely cleaner than what you are measuring. There is a question not resolved in my mind in regards to noise floor modulation, but that isn't going to be a problem for your purposes.
That's why God created USB ports and USB-to-spdif converters.
Use your computer to send the data. The QA401 can then be used to look at the output (I think- I haven't used one yet).
The 2i2 also won't send digital data. The card I used before it, the M-Audio 192, had spdif in and out and very good performance. Too bad it doesn't fit in my current computer...
is it possible to connect an external dac like topping d30 via spdif to the 6i6?If you were considering the 2i2 right now, I'd pay a little more for the 6i6. Currently marked down at amazon and sweetwater.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet6i6G2--focusrite-scarlett-6i6-usb-audio-interface
Has more outputs and has coax spdif input and output. For testing eventually those will be handy. But this doesn't equal the QA in potential overall usefullness imo.
Yes. The 6I6 has spdif in and out. So you could feed digital from the 6I6 to the D30.is it possible to connect an external dac like topping d30 via spdif to the 6i6?