Budget DAC Review and Measurements: Behringer UCA222

[love_budget_audio]

I question whether the measurable improvement from this mod is audible, especially given how cheap the product is and the fact that it is not likely to be used for critical music listening in a system with extended bass response.

Fair disclaimer, I have been modding UCA202 / UCA222 since NwAvGuy's blog posts back in 2011, so I have a lot of experience with these interfaces and am obviously biased towards enjoying them. It is a cheap interface, but it is quite good when this issue is resolved. For many years I would use the interface with an ADUM3160 isolator and definitely felt that made an audible improvement, but it's not really necessary to use the isolator with this mod.

I almost wonder if Behringer intentionally hamstrung it by choosing to use such a poor voltage reference, so that it doesn't interfere with sales of their nicer interfaces.

So, I do have some bias, but I think the difference is audible with this mod. And i think the result is better than the old method of installing much larger output filter capacitors and using with a USB isolator.

Would definitely recommend it to anyone who has one of these lying around, listen to a song you know well before and after modding

 

[krabapple]

Fair disclaimer, I have been modding UCA202 / UCA222 since NwAvGuy's blog posts back in 2011, so I have a lot of experience with these interfaces and am obviously biased towards enjoying them. It is a cheap interface, but it is quite good when this issue is resolved. For many years I would use the interface with an ADUM3160 isolator and definitely felt that made an audible improvement, but it's not really necessary to use the isolator with this mod.

I almost wonder if Behringer intentionally hamstrung it by choosing to use such a poor voltage reference, so that it doesn't interfere with sales of their nicer interfaces.

So, I do have some bias, but I think the difference is audible with this mod. And i think the result is better than the old method of installing much larger output filter capacitors and using with a USB isolator.

Would definitely recommend it to anyone who has one of these lying around, listen to a song you know well before and after modding

Sorry, this is ASR not Youtube, so: not good enough.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Sorry, this is ASR not Youtube, so: not good enough.

Although I acknowledge what's apparently honest testimony, I still don't see much point in investing more in a couple of parts -- which tend to be absurdly pricey in tiny quantities -- and DIY time than the price of product itself when it goes on sale. By all means go for it if you think you'll enjoy the DIY effort -- I might try it myself just for $hits and giggles -- but IMO the ROI just isn't there given the typical use case for such a bare bones, "entry level" audio interface.

 

[anonyless]

just out of curiosity - can anyone assist in identifying whether this is the "better sounding" UCA202 ? bought it over 10 years ago, no serial number, no date number.

 

[somebodyelse]

just out of curiosity - can anyone assist in identifying whether this is the "better sounding" UCA202 ? bought it over 10 years ago, no serial number, no date number.View attachment 445530

Yours has the better Burr-Brown PCM2902 codec as in nwavguy's measurements, not the worse Coolaudio generic part amirm's example had.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking for an ADC which converts analogue L&R RCAs to USB for the purposes of making digital recordings of analogue sources.

I believe this does the trick, to be used in conjunction with Audacity.

Firstly, can anyone confirm that's correct.

Secondly, can anyone confirm if there's something like this, but better. Budget 'up to' £150, but preferably less. Plug and play.

Many thanks.

 

[Sokel]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking for an ADC which converts analogue L&R RCAs to USB for the purposes of making digital recordings of analogue sources.

I believe this does the trick, to be used in conjunction with Audacity.

Firstly, can anyone confirm that's correct.

Secondly, can anyone confirm if there's something like this, but better. Budget 'up to' £150, but preferably less. Plug and play.

Many thanks.

I would suggest MINIDSP POCKETADC, it's well in your budget, not USB though.
You could use it no problem though for this purpose.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I would suggest MINIDSP POCKETADC, it's well in your budget, not USB though.
You could use it no problem though for this purpose.

Thanks. Yes, I’m aware of that. But I definitely need USB. Would I be able to use the MiniDSP with an optical-to-USB adapter?

 

[Sokel]

Thanks. Yes, I’m aware of that. But I definitely need USB. Would I be able to use the MiniDSP with an optical-to-USB adapter?

Yes, you would, but why? Just find an old PC with optical in and you'll go noise-free and perfectly digital in Audacity.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Yes, you would, but why? Just find an old PC with optical in and you'll go noise-free and perfectly digital in Audacity.

I’ve never had one with optical in (or out).

Would this do the trick?

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Sokel]

I’ve never had one with optical in (or out).

Would this do the trick?

Amazon.co.uk

I trust what usually @staticV3 suggests, a Hifime UR23:

Hifime SPDIF Optical to USB converter, record DAT/minidisc to computer

The UR23 accepts SPDIF optical sources and transfer this to USB. Suitable to record DAT tapes, minidisc or other digital source to a computer.

hifimediy.com

 

[somebodyelse]

Just find an old PC with optical in

Easier said than done - optical in is fairly rare on PCs. Optical in on USB adapters is a lot easier to find.

 

[Sokel]

Easier said than done - optical in is fairly rare on PCs. Optical in on USB adapters is a lot easier to find.

It's often there, just not exposed, just need a bracket or something usually hidden with the rest of motherboard's stuff (if you build it yourself) .
And not only in but out too, same with coax.

Some Mac also has it but it's hidden and needs an adapter.

Edit: an example with my old machine:

The actual back I/O connections

C and D are only outs.

...while internally:

(bracket was in motherboard's box)

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

It's often there, just not exposed, just need a bracket or something usually hidden with the rest of motherboard's stuff (if you build it yourself) .
And not only in but out too, same with coax.

Some Mac also has it but it's hidden and needs an adapter.

With my limited skills and knowledge, £20 or so for an adapter is a safer bet.

Many thanks for your help and advice.

 

[somebodyelse]

It's often there, just not exposed, just need a bracket or something usually hidden with the rest of motherboard's stuff (if you build it yourself) .
And not only in but out too, same with coax.

In my experience it's occasionally there, but usually not. I've only had one PC with a toslink input, and that's a micro PC with combined analog/mini-toslink 1/8" sockets for input and output. Toslink and/or coax output is a lot more common.