USB audio interfaces interest

[q3cpma]

The german description of the Swissonic UA-2x2 sounds like they just repeat the DAC and ADC Spec sheet numbers.

That wouldn't suprise me, sadly. But I want to believe in them because Thomann is pretty honest/good in my books. I'll try to email them for more specs.

 

[amirm]

That wouldn't suprise me, sadly. But I want to believe in them because Thomann is pretty honest/good in my books. I'll try to email them for more specs.

And ask them to send in a sample for review!

 

[kn0ppers]

Definitely not worth it to send back and forth.

Yes that's pretty much what I thought. Maybe a user living in north america owns one. I would definitely like to see some entry level recording interfaces tested. The one I mentioned is quite a versatile device, although I do not use it very often.

 

[somebodyelse]

Given the periodic queries about interfaces for recording or measurement it would be good to have measurements for the ADC as well as the DAC part. I'd like to see one with more outputs for active crossover use too.

 

[q3cpma]

I'm not against A/D measurements, but we'd need some reference to know if they're good or not.

 

[kn0ppers]

I think we do have some. I believe the A/D-Conversion was measured on the ADI Pro-2 and a Creative Soundblaster usb-soundcard. Maybe there are even more?

 

[mansr]

I'm not against A/D measurements, but we'd need some reference to know if they're good or not.

That moustache graph above was from the ADC of the UR242. The DAC output looks the same since they share the clock.

 

[HammerSandwich]

I'm not against A/D measurements, but we'd need some reference to know if they're good or not.

Amir's AP tests will characterize the device's DA performance, right? Won't loopback tests then let us judge the AD section? IOW, we might not have the AD's full measure, but we should know if the total device can handle REW, etc.

 

[Reinhold]

the new focusrite range has a headphone out impedance <1ohm according to their datasheet
thats amazing right?! but the dynamic range looks a little weak with 104db.

 

[amirm]

Amir's AP tests will characterize the device's DA performance, right?

My analyzer can just as equally test ADCs as it does DACs. It will feed the ADC very low distortion analog signal and analyze the generated digital signal. See for example: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nd-measurements-of-lynx-hilo-adc-part-2.3596/

 

[amirm]

I'm not against A/D measurements, but we'd need some reference to know if they're good or not.

We have a few data points including the excellent ones above. And of course the ADC built into my Audio Precision analyzer.

 

[q3cpma]

Well, if this isn't too much work, I'm sure it'll serve some people.

 

[amirm]

If you have not yet voted, please do as I have to buy these units and hate to buy something that is not in as much demand. Thanks.

 

[Reinhold]

the new focusrite solo looks nice, but how can i change the volumen from the headphone out when i am also using active speakers. i dont like this design.

better buy the bigger brother 2i2 3rd gen. thank you!

 

[q3cpma]

You're right, I didn't notice this gotcha. Well, I think that Solo measurements will also stand for the rest of the lineup, unless the chipset changes (maybe a better preamp for the headphone?).

 

[LTig]

Didn't consider the Mackie because I don't know them very much and their speakers aren't well spoken of.

Cannot second this. I have a pair of Mackie HR824 (old version, inherited, currently used for Webex in the office 'cause no one in the family wanted to have them) and they are not bad at all. The K&H O300D are better in several aspects (precision, off axis response) but they cost much more, and I could well live with the Mackies if it's necessary. Also me and my brother both own a 1402 mixing console and they are reliable and deliver good sound.

The Yamahas are considered very good (personally, Yamaha is one of the only brands I blindly trust) but I obviously won't include such a big and complicated mixing table-like interface as a "casual hifi DAC".

I'm interested in the Yamahas because they have an ADC. Makes them ideal for measuering room response.

 

[peder2tm]

I am interested in headphone measurements of the clarett 2pre. Most of these usb interfaces have low output power but the clarett 2pre seems to be a good candidate for an all-in-one box.

 

[JohnYang1997]

I am interested in headphone measurements of the clarett 2pre. Most of these usb interfaces have low output power but the clarett 2pre seems to be a good candidate for an all-in-one box.

I can tell you it's ok. But not powerful for low impedance headphones. Good enough for normal use.

 

[peder2tm]

I can tell you it's ok. But not powerful for low impedance headphones. Good enough for normal use.

Thanks, I've read somewhere on Reddit that the output impedance is 7 Ohm so yes it might not be suitable for low impedance headphones, but I am surprised that it is not powerful enough. The specified output voltage is 16 dBu, which is 4.88 V RMS so it must be current limiting at lower impedances if it's not loud enough, or maybe the 7 Ohm output impedance is not correct.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Thanks, I've read somewhere on Reddit that the output impedance is 7 Ohm so yes it might not be suitable for low impedance headphones, but I am surprised that it is not powerful enough. The specified output voltage is 16 dBu, which is 4.88 V RMS so it must be current limiting at lower impedances if it's not loud enough, or maybe the 7 Ohm output impedance is not correct.

It's single opamp 4556al . Voltage swing is pretty good but current output is not so great. Not bad but not great.