new different audio interface improvement?

[gary8588]

Hello!

I am pretty much disappointed with my current audio setup to the point I believe I bought the wrong audio interface for my purpose.

Currently it looks like this:

• Behringer UMC204HD as audio interface
• M-Audio BX5 D2 connected via XLR --> TRS to the Main Outs of the UMC204HD
• DT770 connected to the heaphone out of the UMC204HD

Now I feel like the M-Audio speakers are underutilized and it feels like the UMC204HD might not have enough power to drive them. Why do I think so? Because connecting the M-Audio to the headphone jack of my Laptop (leaving out the UMC204HD) produces a much more powerful sound. The bass is way more punchy and overall volume is much higher.
On the UMC204HD I have to crank up the volume on the interface and in the Operating System almost to the max to make it somewhat loud. Using the headphone jack the volume is significantly higher even on a lower level. The bass on the UMC204HD is way less and nowhere near as "full" as the simple heaphone jack from the Laptop.

Would something like the S.M.S.L RAW-MDA1 as a replacement for the UMC204HD change anything to the better? I've googled a lot but couldn't really understand why those 2 interfaces are so different. Could it be that the SMSL is more for "listening" and the UMC204HD is more for "producing and mixing" music? Or did I fundamentally not understand something in this regard.

Anyway thanks for any hints to fix my setup.

 

[twsecrest]

The UMC204HD does not "power" the BX5, it sends a signal to the BX5, so the UMC204HD might be sending a low power signal, to the BX5?
If you max out the volume controls on the computer and UMC204HD, while the M-audio is connected to the UMC204HD, how loud does the sound get?
You might try a TRS (UMC204HD) to TRS (BX5) cable, or RCA (UMC204HD) to TRS (BX5) cable, see if that changes anything?

 

[Blumlein 88]

The UMC series in general had rather low max output levels and clips at rather low input levels to the ADC. Here is Amir's follow up review. It can only output .785 volts cleanly. A headphone jack might well do a little more than this. A DAC with 4 volts out would be 15 db louder than the UMC unit which is pretty substantial.

Behringer UMC204 HD Audio Interface Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer UMC204HD Audio Interface (ADC/DAC/Mic Preamp). I reviewed it a long time ago. OK, it was just two years ago but in dog years, it is a long time. :) I had a different audio analyzer there which made it difficult to measure USB...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Looks like your first post so welcome to ASR.

Most interfaces can output around 4 volts balanced as you are using yours. XLR to TRS is fine as would be XLR to XLR. That isn't the problem.

A Topping E2x2 or Motu M2 would likely do what you need. The Topping has a better headphone out.

Now if all you need is a DAC or DAC/headphone amp most any of the well reviewed DACs with balanced out will put out 4 volts and do what you need. Check the power of the headphone out to narrow it down.

A tip, my opinion of course, don't buy Behringer gear. Sometimes it is okay, but barely okay is about as good as it gets. When people say bottom of the barrel gear, sitting right at the barrel bottom will be a bit of Behringer gear most of the time.

PS_ I used to have the same monitor speakers. One of them developed the dreaded high hum level from bad caps they are notorious for. Before I fixed it the other actually blew up the amp on the woofer. I replaced them with JBL LSR 305s. If you ever replace those you have, the 305s are a really large improvement.

 

[gary8588]

If you max out the volume controls on the computer and UMC204HD, while the M-audio is connected to the UMC204HD, how loud does the sound get?

It gets reasonably loud but nowhere near as loud as the headphone jack can get

The UMC series in general had rather low max output levels and clips at rather low input levels to the ADC. Here is Amir's follow up review. It can only output .785 volts cleanly. A headphone jack might well do a little more than this. A DAC with 4 volts out would be 15 db louder than the UMC unit which is pretty substantial.

Behringer UMC204 HD Audio Interface Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer UMC204HD Audio Interface (ADC/DAC/Mic Preamp). I reviewed it a long time ago. OK, it was just two years ago but in dog years, it is a long time. :) I had a different audio analyzer there which made it difficult to measure USB...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Looks like your first post so welcome to ASR.

Thank you Yes I read that review recently.

Most interfaces can output around 4 volts balanced as you are using yours. XLR to TRS is fine as would be XLR to XLR. That isn't the problem.

A Topping E2x2 or Motu M2 would likely do what you need. The Topping has a better headphone out.

Now if all you need is a DAC or DAC/headphone amp most any of the well reviewed DACs with balanced out will put out 4 volts and do what you need. Check the power of the headphone out to narrow it down.

Thanks for the tip. How do I check the power output of the headphone out? Just sticking my multimeter in there? And same thing on the Main Outs of the Behringer?

A tip, my opinion of course, don't buy Behringer gear. Sometimes it is okay, but barely okay is about as good as it gets. When people say bottom of the barrel gear, sitting right at the barrel bottom will be a bit of Behringer gear most of the time.

Thanks yes, well I just got it a couple of years back just because I couldn't afford anything else at the time and I thought this would suit my needs because other internet reviews convinced me that I wouldn't need more. Now I am in a much better position and am considering upgrading my audio equipment.

PS_ I used to have the same monitor speakers. One of them developed the dreaded high hum level from bad caps they are notorious for. Before I fixed it the other actually blew up the amp on the woofer. I replaced them with JBL LSR 305s. If you ever replace those you have, the 305s are a really large improvement.

Fortunately no hums on mine until now. I just noticed that they get fairly hot to the touch on the back. this was also noticed in the review here.

Thanks for the suggestion, those JBLs don't seem to be available in my area unfortunately. I was thinking getting slightly bigger ones like the M-Audio BX8 D3 but those seem to be discontinued unfortunately. They got a fairly good review here. I am still in research phase at the moment

 

[Blumlein 88]

It gets reasonably loud but nowhere near as loud as the headphone jack can get



Thank you Yes I read that review recently.


Thanks for the tip. How do I check the power output of the headphone out? Just sticking my multimeter in there? And same thing on the Main Outs of the Behringer?



Thanks yes, well I just got it a couple of years back just because I couldn't afford anything else at the time and I thought this would suit my needs because other internet reviews convinced me that I wouldn't need more. Now I am in a much better position and am considering upgrading my audio equipment.



Fortunately no hums on mine until now. I just noticed that they get fairly hot to the touch on the back. this was also noticed in the review here.

Thanks for the suggestion, those JBLs don't seem to be available in my area unfortunately. I was thinking getting slightly bigger ones like the M-Audio BX8 D3 but those seem to be discontinued unfortunately. They got a fairly good review here. I am still in research phase at the moment

The best way is to measure power output at different impedances. Amir's reviews do that here. You also can look at Julian Krause's reviews done on youtube. He does only audio interfaces however. Doing the measurement yourself is a bit more involved than just checking voltage output of the headphone for determining power. As already mentioned the line out of the Behringer is not a power problem, just a voltage problem. Line level signals only care about voltage as the loads are usually 10 kohm or more. You can also look at the specifications of the manufacturer they usually are reliable about power output for headphones.

A larger monitor might have me recommend the JBL LSR 308. You don't have access to those apparently. So maybe a Kali if you can get these:

Kali LP-6 Review: Studio Monitor

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Kali Audio LP-6 powered monitor (speaker). I purchased it for testing I think back in February or March. There has been a lot of requests to test it so I thought I do it before the year is over! The LP-6 costs US $149 on Amazon including Prime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or an Adam,

Adam T8V Studio Monitor Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Adam T8V active monitors (speaker). It was kindly sent to me by the company a few months ago. I was surprised at the very low cost of these speakers at US $299 (each) considering that they are DSP speakers with dual amplification. This is one...

www.audiosciencereview.com