Budget DAC Review: behringer UMC204HD

[nodoubt]

so, what chip do these beringers use? the cirrus chips still? i have a 404 hd in my small studio, and i swear it sounds better than the topping e 30 im trying out in my home theater, slash, music setup in the living room.
im thinking about yanking it out of my studio room and a-b testing it on my stereo set up just to see.
that damn beringer sounds fantastic on head phones, or thru my powered 6 inch jbls.

 

[Madeintooting]

Still use an E-mu Tracker pre in my office, sounds just as good as anything new.
Resolved up to 24/192 years ago, when "Hifi" dacs struggled to do 24/96
Fantastic flexibility in connections too.
https://en.audiofanzine.com/usb-int...itorial/reviews/e-mu-tracker-pre-usb-2-0.html

 

[SIY]

so, what chip do these beringers use? the cirrus chips still? i have a 404 hd in my small studio, and i swear it sounds better than the topping e 30 im trying out in my home theater, slash, music setup in the living room.
im thinking about yanking it out of my studio room and a-b testing it on my stereo set up just to see.
that damn beringer sounds fantastic on head phones, or thru my powered 6 inch jbls.

The chip used is relevant to the designer, irrelevant to the user.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Indeed. The E30 should be running circles around the 404HD in just about all measured parameters, not the least because the Behringer's analog stage running on +5V single supply is doing it no favors in the dynamic range department (I'm assuming the CS4272 was used for its better filters or just volume discount, Steinberg have been getting by with the lowly CS4270 in similar interfaces). If having balanced outputs has nothing to do with it, it's probably just a classic mixed fruit bag type comparison.
You will see UMC404HD headphone output measurements make an appearance in Julian Krause's reviews - seems OK with medium impedance cans but certainly not the last word on anything.

 

[trl]

i have a 404 hd in my small studio, and i swear it sounds better than the topping e 30 im trying out in my home theater, slash, music setup in the living room

If you'll test them both in the same setup and in the same room you will not make a difference in the output sound.

 

[SIY]

If you'll test them both in the same setup and in the same room you will not make a difference in the output sound.

Unless you peek.

 

[nodoubt]

The chip used is relevant to the designer, irrelevant to the user.

See, now that didnt answer my question at all now did it ? You wasted your time, and mine, by replying to my question with such a silly remark......If i want to know something about a product, it is indeed relevant to me.

I would say in the future, if you dont have anything constructive to say, then its probably better to keep your useless comments to yourself.

Thanks......

 

[nodoubt]

If you'll test them both in the same setup and in the same room you will not make a difference in the output sound.

yes, going to test them with the same rig, same room

 

[SIY]

See, now that didnt answer my question at all now did it ? You wasted your time, and mine, by replying to my question with such a silly remark......If i want to know something about a product, it is indeed relevant to me.

I would say in the future, if you dont have anything constructive to say, then its probably better to keep your useless comments to yourself.

Thanks......

Ask better questions.

 

[nodoubt]

Ask better questions.

you must be deaf or blind, re read my post........

 

[SIY]

you must be deaf or blind, re read my post........

Speak up, I can’t hear you when you mumble.

 

[nodoubt]

deaf, blind, and ignorant it is then. Thanks for confirming....

 

[anli]

Can anybody, please, justify I understand inserts correctly: tip is used to send signal to some processor, and ring is used as return processed signal input (that is it borrows capture slot role in USB interface)?

 

[trl]

Source: https://www.aviom.com/blog/balanced-vs-unbalanced/.
​

Unless I don't understand your question, Tip and Ring are carrying analogue audio signal in the same way, but inverted at 180 degrees.

 

[anli]

Source: https://www.aviom.com/blog/balanced-vs-unbalanced/.
​

Unless I don't understand your question, Tip and Ring are carrying analogue audio signal in the same way, but inverted at 180 degrees.

But the thing is, I have got almost zero practice in English hearing translation

 

[sharpty]

Can anybody, please, justify I understand inserts correctly: tip is used to send signal to some processor, and ring is used as return processed signal input (that is it borrows capture slot role in USB interface)?

Yes, for TRS inserts the tip is send and ring is receive. This is also commonly found on mixing consoles.

 

[solderdude]

insert is explained here:

Event Horizon & Services - What is an insert?

Event Horizon & Services - Do you want to know more about insert connections? Here is some detailed information about inserts and insert cables.

eventhorizon-srv.com

 

[Afriza.]

Hi, do you think the output on these would be good for pre-amp? Specifically I'm thinking about pairing these with the Topping L30.

 

[trl]

Well, Amir already stated on his review that "Also the output level from this DAC is anemic which may cause you to not be able to play as loud".
Per https://mediadl.musictribe.com/medi...C404HD_UMC204HD_UMC202HD_UMC22_UM2_QSG_WW.pdf I see 3 dBu output level, which is about 1.1V RMS.

L30 has a max. gain of +9.5 dB which is about 2.8X, so max. output voltage would probably be 1.1 x 2.8 = 3V RMS which in 32 Ohms is 0.28 W.

Feel free to double check the specs from both devices, just in case I'm missing something here. Thanks!

 

[Afriza.]

Well, Amir already stated on his review that "Also the output level from this DAC is anemic which may cause you to not be able to play as loud".
Per https://mediadl.musictribe.com/medi...C404HD_UMC204HD_UMC202HD_UMC22_UM2_QSG_WW.pdf I see 3 dBu output level, which is about 1.1V RMS.

L30 has a max. gain of +9.5 dB which is about 2.8X, so max. output voltage would probably be 1.1 x 2.8 = 3V RMS which in 32 Ohms is 0.28 W.

Feel free to double check the specs from both devices, just in case I'm missing something here. Thanks!

Ahh, I seem to have missed that point. Seems like I have to hunt for something else then. Thanks for the input!