I have not used it extensively, so I can't comment on whether or not there's an issue with long term usage. When I use them I do tend to change the volume often due to varied music levels. I mostly listen to streaming music at my desk. Those changes are usually not significant, so the pot moves are usually within a limited range, the kind that should cause the most wear I would think. Still, not near 1000 at this point I would say. To me that's a separate issue from the one related to channel imbalance (ideally when new). I'm simply relating my experience.
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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) Interface Review
- Thread starter amirm
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bennybbbx
Addicted to Fun and Learning
when you use it 6 month then you can check again what L/R diffrence it have in the volume range you hear. also other users of analog pots can check after 6 month of use. All my hardware with analog pots work fine when they was new. only after 3 month of usage i notice left right diffrence.
To achieve optimal sound quality, the volume should be adjusted so that it sounds good(louder sound better) but doesn't cause hearing damage from excessive volume. However, playing every song at too high a volume is not a good solution, as damaged hearing cannot be repaired.
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rollermine
Member
I think the headphone output on the 16i16 4th gen is digitally controlled using an analog pot and ADC...
The volume pot is single-gang, so if it's analog it can't handle stereo.
Furthermore, there is a UART header on the PCB, and when I turn the knob, I can check it on the console like this.
Incidentally, MOTU M series uses same method.
The volume pot is single-gang, so if it's analog it can't handle stereo.
Furthermore, there is a UART header on the PCB, and when I turn the knob, I can check it on the console like this.
Incidentally, MOTU M series uses same method.
bennybbbx
Addicted to Fun and Learning
strange, this look realy as 2 mono pots for the 2 headphone outputs. the stereo pots have where you paint the arrow a second row with 3 pins top to down. if thats in the other models 4i4 same...
do you mean the Motu M series also have mono pots as this and also for volume control ? . intresting that there is hardware out that use not stereo pots. my hardware i have in the past all(except apollo solo) uses stereo pots. its really strange the hardware developer should mention this in the spec . in the uad apollo solo usb there is in specification
for outputs 1 &2 . https://media.uaudio.com/support/manuals/11.4.0-2roV4n/Apollo+Solo+USB+Manual.pdf for headphone there is no info.
for focusrite or other hardware i see no info about that.
EDIT: if there is a mono pot that control the stereo channels then there should also not hear on very low volume channel inbalance
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rollermine
Member
That's right. I won't go into detail about the hardware, which is not directly related to Scarlett, but I'll post a photo of the M4.
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mlankton
Member
This is sitting in front of me on my desk, I do not want an angry led glaring at me when I am browsing the web and watching content. Sent mine back and had them send me a UA Volt 1. Much happier with the Volt. The simple inclusion of an on-off switch makes the Volt a grazillion times better interface than the Scarlett. I am 59 years old, you can not convince me that "just unplug it" is a viable answer.
bennybbbx
Addicted to Fun and Learning
@rollermine
yes this is also a Mono pot. Here how focusrite 8i6o 3 stereo pot look. you can see 2. row of 3 connectors . I assume all 3rd gen focusrite have such pots and as other stereo pots much wear and tear so channel diffrence enhance during more use. the 16i16 and the motu can not get such problems.
I remove it for investigation and the rest of my focusrite i put to electronic scrap box . there is no manufactor on the pot print. Only B50 K which mean logarithmic and 50 KOhm.
yes this is also a Mono pot. Here how focusrite 8i6o 3 stereo pot look. you can see 2. row of 3 connectors . I assume all 3rd gen focusrite have such pots and as other stereo pots much wear and tear so channel diffrence enhance during more use. the 16i16 and the motu can not get such problems.
I remove it for investigation and the rest of my focusrite i put to electronic scrap box . there is no manufactor on the pot print. Only B50 K which mean logarithmic and 50 KOhm.
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I have an update on my usage. I recently purchased the Topping D50 III. I needed a desktop DAC. I also planned to buy a headphone amp/preamp, but I put the 2i2 to use to try out. The D50 output (RCA) goes to RCA-to-
Also, I've got three monitors on my desk, a wall-mounted TV off to the side and my bright phone in a stand in front of my keyboard. I don't even notice the 2i2 to the side powered up. In fact I leave it on all the time, don't unplug it when not using it, I don't see the need. By the time it might fail, I'll likely already be in the market for something "new and improved", even though it's unlikely that I'll hear an improvement given the levels of current hardware such as the 2i2 and D50. Maybe the Topping A50 would be an improvement for headphones, but I can't justify that for now. Seems to me that improvements are to the point of incremental, not dramatic.
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That'll work, but don't complain about ground loop noise if you hear any. If memory serves, single-ended distortion performance of the input amps used isn't very good either (and by that I mean decidedly mediocre). In sum, this setup is quite likely worse than just using the 2i2 for playback to begin with.
HD580s are actually quite happy about a bit of extra output impedance IME (say around 75 ohms), so you are arguably better off with the 2i2 gen4 and its 50 ohms than any "proper" amp of essentially zero output impedance.
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bennybbbx
Addicted to Fun and Learning
you can also use focusrite as long as you hear no left right diffrences or strange ear feelings or strange stereo image . I think the impedance doesnt matter, it is only that on high impedance headphone you need put the volume pot higher which then maybe get better left right balance. with low impedance in ear phones 8 o clock pot setting ist very loud. that left right diffrences on low volume can hear happen also on new pots
I've noticed no ground loop nor other noise issues, but ran some tests with REW and Multitone with them both connected to the same PC. I never got REW to work in ASIO using FlexASIO, only using Java which limits REW. The Multitone Analyzer, however, did work with separate ASIO drivers. I'll cover that briefly, but I don't want to pollute this thread with my tests in that area as it also brings up an issue I've wanted to discuss related to balanced components. I'll bring that up in my thread on making measurements with the 2i2 or others.
What I found is that the distortion components vary wildly with both signal level and hardware gain settings. All but HD2 generally remained below the threshold of hearing. Gain and signal had to be within a certain range to remain below it. HD2, however, hit -80dBr. I suppose I didn't notice that given that it's even-order and "pleasant" and still rather low. Noise, on the other hand, was often in the -70dBr range. That is roughly what I measured in my repaired Kenwood 6-channel amps I use in my main dipole 3-way system. Not really noticeable in my speaker system. But also I never noticed that in the Sennheiser headphones. I'll have to test a bit to see if it's noticeable with no music and with gain turned up. Also found that the best results were with the 2i2 input gain at 0dB, not the point best in loopback tests. This certainly is because the unbalanced-to-balanced connection created more noise and distortion.
I ran the distortion hearing test (once only) and fell into the highest midpoint of the test subjects, so I'm in the "normal" range I guess you would call it, not great, not poor. I plan to try again as is suggested with higher volumes. It may also be that the old HD 580s just aren't quite good enough to make some distortions apparent.
Agree, with the headphone volume pot set low the left definitely comes in before the right, but that range is below any of my usage.
One more post here. I ran more tests with REW. Using two instances, one for the generator and one for the RTA, I was able to use each components ASIO driver. No clock correction in REW possible of course, so I'm unsure of how accurate this is. Results are similar to Multitone. What I did notice is that the noise is dominated by mains noise, 60Hz and multiples. RTA averaging buries that in the noise floor, but single RTAs make it obvious. I can't say that I detected that with music, but I wasn't listening to try to pick it out. The 2i2 seems to be very sensitive to its balanced input, I noted that when testing with my hand-made balanced passive attenuator. Any imbalance of P/N produced significant HD2 increase. Too bad the 2i2 doesn't have an integral unbalanced input, but that's not in the target audience.
Unfortunately I can't use the 2i2 just for playback (through USB) because I also need the DAC for S/PDIF. I may need consider buying the Topping A50 or L70.
I wanted to update this, can't edit the previous post now. I downloaded the latest REW (.105) and was able to use FlexASIO to connect to both devices. REW results dramatically improved. Noise still dominated, but HD2 then was as the others, below threshold of hearing, so in actual use the distortion components were all excellent. I had been using my Aragon 24k for all connections and for it's switching and volume control and because it can directly drive headphones from the preamp output, the reason I used the unbalanced output from the D50 to start, but I'll use the balanced out directly to the 2i2 now with most switching in the D50. I still use the 24k for its turntable preamp and I need the D50 unbalanced for desktop speakers. I don't now have plans to add the Topping A50, I doubt it will significantly improve over the 2i2 as a headphone amp, at least with the HD 580. Cables all over the rear of my desk, at least mostly hidden by a monitor.
Jim T
Member
BE careful of this new Control update as it messed up my Scarlett 4th gen driver. I just replaced it with a Yamaha/Steinberg UR22C. I had one years ago that I liked. I am fearful of any USB interface that has this many updates. The Yamaha driver page is a mess. A lack of problems is a big plus for me. I have had every gen, but no more Focusrite here.
telecode101
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I am on a 8i6 gen 3. Is it worth upgrading for any new features?
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