Why not still have the option to have all 8 connected on the back. Like 1/2 3/4 5/6 7/8 on the back and have 5/6 7/8 or 1/2 3/4 for headphones?
Well. It does make sense. Because when the noise of preamps matter the most is amplifying low sensitivity dynamics where you use almost all of the gain. Unless the gain range is unrealistically more than what's normally used like 85 90db, comparing max gain matters.
Still, the noise will vary with the gain, and most preamp will have similar noise at high gain - as long as the gain is aligned.
Indeed. 2-3dB is more the kind of variation you could expect, even between high end preamps and (modern) low cost ones using THAT chip.
Regarding my previous comment about USB-C connectors. After looking at other manufacturers' microphone amplifiers, in fairness it should perhaps be said that USB-C seems to have become more or less a standard. It wasn't like that when I bought a microphone amplifier last time. I wonder if it has to do with Apple and Mac dominating so much among musicians and studio people. As far as I know, their Laptops only have USB-C ports these days. Typical Apple, but not particularly robust. And you need adapters for all those gear that do no´t have USB-C connectors.
No, that is misleading. It is basically a digital microphone amplifier and converter. The analogue input is not something "additionally" - it is the main purpose. Given it´s purpose I don´t think maximising the headphone out is priority.
Consider priority more like a reversed version: basically an ADC/mic-preamp combo but additionally provided decent left and right analog output as DAC/headphone amp for a headphone or analog output.
Any release with a slightly better DAC?
If there is I'm all in The ADC, mic preamps and headphone amplification are great for this kind of money. Musicians needing a clean recording for microphones, guitars, keyboards have everything they need here so long as 2 simultaneous inputs are enough. And those mixing and monitoring in headphones finally have a decent headphone amp in a budget interface.
I'm just trying to figure out the main usage. So someone would hook up a mic to it as the main use for the analog inputs? I suppose they could hook up an instrument to it too, like an electric guitar or keyboard or something like that? So it would be a means of hearing the instrument & recording it too maybe, along with the microphone input that could be recorded at same time? So people using this device would mainly be musicians or people that want a mic attached too? Although re mic, there's plenty of combo DAC/headphone amps that have a mic input too, so that can't be such a unique selling point I guess. Just trying to figure out how this device is likely to be used.
Ah, ok, well explained, that makes total sense, I now know how this thing would be used.It seems to be Topping’s answer to the ubiquitous Focusrite 2i2 - an entry level audio interface targeted at home recording types, musicians, beat makers, podcasters etc. The DAC in the E2x2 - while not exactly SOTA, seems to performs similarly to the 3rd generation 2i2. For the intended market it will “do the job”….
When I started uni in 2005 we were all advised by the music tech department to invest in some HD600/650 for our work… I would have killed for a device like this back then, put it that way. Though this is assuming the drivers and software cut the mustard
Using max gain EIN may not be the end all solution but it's more than representative. It's not often you see excellent EIN at max gain but horribly worse at 20-30db gain.
Nope.
Any release with a slightly better DAC?
Context: I love listening to music and have been into audio gear for many years but have recently started recording vocal covers too. Imagine being able to ditch the traditional DAC/headamp stack while getting the same audio quality AND being able to record quality recordings as well with a single device! Definitely won't mind paying more for that
As pointed out earlier these products need computer software, so the software quality and support is as important as the device itself.
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