iD4 & iD14 MK II - Audient updated their Audio Interfaces

[studio7]

Curiosity took over and I opened my iD4 and took a picture. Turns out it's the ESS version. I doubt that the ES9822QPRO ADC is much worse than the AKM one, since they've also put it in the iD14.

 

[thanospl]

New Audient ID14MKII bought October 30, confirmed with ESS9822QPRO ADC and CIRRUS 43199 "unkown" DACs, I just hope that the substitute ICs are up to Original specs.

 

[JeffGB]

The data sheet for cs43198 say:

• CS43198 is the evolution of the CS4399. Re-defining Audio again
  • Improved output level up to 2 VRMS
  • Evolved performance: THD+N increased from -108 dB to -115 dB
  • Increased hi-fi DSD playback rate from DSD128 to DSD256 . This would seem to confirm the cs4399 is older and poorer in performance. I have a ID14 mk ii but it has the CS43198 chips.

 

[Grooved]

The data sheet for cs43198 say:

• CS43198 is the evolution of the CS4399. Re-defining Audio again
  • Improved output level up to 2 VRMS
  • Evolved performance: THD+N increased from -108 dB to -115 dB
  • Increased hi-fi DSD playback rate from DSD128 to DSD256 . This would seem to confirm the cs4399 is older and poorer in performance. I have a ID14 mk ii but it has the CS43198 chips.

It's not the cs4399 in this device, it's the CS43199

 

[JeffGB]

It's not the cs4399 in this device, it's the CS43199

Sorry, my error. The only stuff I could find on the cs43199 were a reference to it being used in a phone, but it also said it was the same as the cs43198 but in a different package. Perhaps a different package was the only one available during a shortage but I have no idea.

 

[studio7]

So, at least on paper, the iD4 MkII, and iD14 MkII rev.10 should be a slight upgrade over rev.09, right?

ES9822QPRO >= AK5574EN
43199 = CS43198

 

[thanospl]

So, at least on paper, the iD4 MkII, and iD14 MkII rev.10 should be a slight upgrade over rev.09, right?

ES9822QPRO >= AK5574EN
43199 = CS43198

I don't see rev. 10 anywhere. There is a 26002-6 numbers only

 

[studio7]

I don't see rev. 10 anywhere. There is a 26002-6 numbers only

I now noticed that the numbers on the pcb are different between the iD4 and the iD14.

On the iD4 it's 27002-9 for the AKM, and 27002-10 for the ESS version.

And on the ID14 these must be 26002-5 for AKM and 26002-6 for ESS.

 

[dbr]

Hey guys,

I found this forum post because I wanted to learn more about the Audient iD4 MKII. I would like to have very much as a previous and satisfied user of the Audient iD4 MKI now a MKII but still with the old chip. Would anyone here have any idea where I can still get one with the AKM chip in the European area? I have already written to Thomann, but they only have new stock from the last few weeks.

 

[paQ]

Hey guys,

I found this forum post because I wanted to learn more about the Audient iD4 MKII. I would like to have very much as a previous and satisfied user of the Audient iD4 MKI now a MKII but still with the old chip. Would anyone here have any idea where I can still get one with the AKM chip in the European area? I have already written to Thomann, but they only have new stock from the last few weeks.

I guess you can only get them on the second hand market, and with luck.


Julian Krause did a review of the old id14/id4 (MKII) and the new id44 which has the same ESS chip (with more inputs) and the difference is there, in favor of the older AKM chip.

Although it seems a bad movement make by Audient, at least I use the interface mainly as a DAC, and in that sense the ID14 MK2 (at least the one I have) still maintains the Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips.

 

[Julian Krause]

One thing to note is that the rise in distortion on the iD44 MKII is due to the way the preamp section is implemented. When you route a signal into the return input on the ID44 MKII (which bypasses the preamp section) the distortion is considerably less. This indicates that the distortion performance is limited by the preamp section in the ID44 MKII and not the ADC.

 

[dbr]

Too bad, but nothing can be done now. Which audio interface could you recommend me in this price segment? My first choice was the MKII but now that the chip is worse, there are certainly other, better alternatives.

 

[Grooved]

Too bad, but nothing can be done now. Which audio interface could you recommend me in this price segment? My first choice was the MKII but now that the chip is worse, there are certainly other, better alternatives.

What is too bad?
Just look at the post of @Julian Krause above, he clearly said that the return inputs gives a clean signal, meaning that the ADC chip works correctly.
The difference comes from the mic preamp, not the ADC chip

 

[OHtaru]

Actually ES9822/9842 is one of the top-end ADC chips. E1DA Cosmos ADC by @IVX uses the same chip to achieve the best performance for measurement.
I don't think it's WORSE than AK5574EN at all. From the datasheet I can't see any clue that ES9822 is bad.

The only thing unknown is the CS43199. I can find datasheets of CS43198, CS43130 and CS43131 but CS43199 is a myth.
Performance of these chips: CS43198≈CS43131>CS43130.

 

[IVX]

Actually ES9822/9842 is one of the top-end ADC chips. E1DA Cosmos ADC by @IVX uses the same chip to achieve the best performance for measurement.
I don't think it's WORSE than AK5574EN at all. From the datasheet I can't see any clue that ES9822 is bad.

The only thing unknown is the CS43199. I can find datasheets of CS43198, CS43130 and CS43131 but CS43199 is a myth.
Performance of these chips: CS43198≈CS43131>CS43130.

it is strange that they got just 120db(A) of DR with ES9022. I see the AVG number of 1000pcs is about 124db(A).

 

[AllanDavidson]

One thing to note is that the rise in distortion on the iD44 MKII is due to the way the preamp section is implemented. When you route a signal into the return input on the ID44 MKII (which bypasses the preamp section) the distortion is considerably less. This indicates that the distortion performance is limited by the preamp section in the ID44 MKII and not the ADC.
View attachment 242831

I'm getting an interface this Black Friday to use with my laptop, I don't need much, just an Instrument input (for Guitar, to be used with real time VST), and a Headphone/Mic combo to Game/Chat (Senn PC38X)

I'm between the ID4 MKII and the Motu M2, both cost $199 right now. Which one should I get?

Thank you!


__________

EDIT: Considering the table on your last review, the ID4 should be the obvious choice (based on the numbers), is that correct?

 

[studio7]

I'm getting an interface this Black Friday to use with my laptop, I don't need much, just an Instrument input (for Guitar, to be used with real time VST), and a Headphone/Mic combo to Game/Chat (Senn PC38X)

I'm between the ID4 MKII and the Motu M2, both cost $199 right now. Which one should I get?

Thank you!


__________

EDIT: Considering the table on your last review, the ID4 should be the obvious choice (based on the numbers), is that correct?

Hi Allan,

I got the iD4 Mk2 for my Windows 10 laptop, and the D.I. works great for both humbuckers and single coils. The roundtrip latency is ~5ms with a 64 samlpes buffer.

But here it costs $129 brand new. For $199 I could get the iD14 Mk2.

I think it would be smarter for you to grab the Motu M2, because it has 2 mic/guitar inputs and MIDI in/out.

 

[AllanDavidson]

Hi Allan,

I got the iD4 Mk2 for my Windows 10 laptop, and the D.I. works great for both humbuckers and single coils. The roundtrip latency is ~5ms with a 64 samlpes buffer.

But here it costs $129 brand new. For $199 I could get the iD14 Mk2.

I think it would be smarter for you to grab the Motu M2, because it has 2 mic/guitar inputs and MIDI in/out.

Here both M2 and id4 MKII cost the same, $199.

The 2x inputs on the MKII (Inst/Mic) are enough for me.

I was told to get the M2 because it have much better latency and software support.

 

[yannikab]

View attachment 241432

New Audient ID14MKII bought October 30, confirmed with ESS9822QPRO ADC and CIRRUS 43199 "unkown" DACs, I just hope that the substitute ICs are up to Original specs.

From your nickname I presume you live in Greece like myself. Since I am interested in purchasing one, has anyone made a comparison of the original CS43198 with these chips? I am mostly interested in its DAC performance, the ADC should be fine.

 

[thanospl]

From your nickname I presume you live in Greece like myself. Since I am interested in purchasing one, has anyone made a comparison of the original CS43198 with these chips? I am mostly interested in its DAC performance, the ADC should be fine.

Sorry, i saw your comment just now. If you are in Athens just send me a private message to talk. Thanks Thanos