New Soundcard Needed!

What input/outputs do you want? Optical/coax digital? Just analogue?

Analogue inputs (priority)
Analogue & Digital output (secondary)

All connections coax

Thanks

Jack,

Check out the TC products.

A few in this forum really like it as a USB (firewire???) to digi converter.

Perhaps JS could chime in?

-patrick

The TC Konnect8 has a firewire interface, analog and digital inputs and outputs (RCA coax connections on back). I use it for a digital output to my DAC, and it is terrific for that. I have yet to hear the a/d OR d/A, but otheres have spoken well of it. (ferenc? js?)

It sells for $300 US, so maybe a little high for your budget.


Charlie

A2D is good. D2A, eh though it should be as at least as good as the 34/96. Never heard an inboard I cared for that much. I don't think you can do better for near the $.

JS,

how is it as a firewire to digi?

thx
-p

Great and lots better than some other solutions IMO. It's where it shines.

js

Im looking into a firewire PCI card, and trying to think if I can ditch any of my current cards to free up a slot.

I suppose I could rip the Riviera and have only one audio output...

Currently I use the Riviera to my 5.1 for watching the occasional movie/show on Netflix or TV show stream.

Still want to send me one to try?

Lastly, are there any issues with respect to 24/96 vs Redbook replay, in terms of changing settings etc, when moving between the two?

Currently I set Foobar to output 24 bit, and my M-Audio Transit to 1In/1Out 24 bit. I dont have to change any settings when moving between hi res and red book. Which i really like/require.

thanks again!
-p

PC, I'll load up the latest software tomorrow and give an update.

Same as always. When you change the incoming bit rate. The player will stop almost instantly and you then just restart and it will have switched. It takes about 1 sec to do this when you go back or forth from 16 and 24. Start and then start again. No need for any settings adjustment.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Konnect8 looks a fine piece of kit particularly if you are a musician. I tinkle on the guitar now and again but I don't think that qualifies me as a musician (well not according to my wife)!

Am I right in thinking that a Firewire or USB connected device is more desirable that a PCI device? Why is this?

Also given that I basically just want to record vinyl to my PC is the Konnect8 over specified? I have no problem with that if the A/D convertors and quality enhancing features are the prime reason for purchase.

Does the Konnect8 have RCA analogue inputs? From the information I have read the analogue inputs look like TRS?

Thanks

Jack

PCI should be best if everything else is equal. The problem is that things are rarely so. I've heard good things about Lynx cards that are both PCI and firewire. I have also heard that they're not quite as good at PCI as they are Firewire but that's hearsay as I've not tried it. I believe different though similar circuits are used for applying the clock in the 2 interfaces. Perhaps ferenc could fill us in. The Lynx is also twice+ expensive and exists inside a noisy computer environment but this stuff is about end result and if it sounds better, that's the bottom line. I have heard a PCI connected outboard device with dedicated umbilical but the TC was clearly better. In theory it shouldn't be as PCI is about as direct as you can get but apperantly firewire is not a problem and the DICE circuit used is superior.

TC uses stereo 1/4" plugs for analog and don't tinkle on an electric guitar. It could be shocking.

Actually I liked a Lynx PCIe board (in a MacPro) a bit better, connected to an 8 channel mastering quality Mytek 192ADDA converter through a custom made AES/EBU connection, than the Mytek with its DICE II based Firewire board. Go figure.

It was a bit more fluid and lifelike and tonally a bit closer to the real music event. The AES cable was custom made using Gotham AES wires on the direct output of Lynx and Nirvana SX and Evidence Audio XLR interconnects on the volume controlled summing output to my pro MC2 MC1250 amp and Danley speakers from the analog stereo balanced output of the Mytek.

Probably a difference in the driver software, a difference in the latency or how the operating system handles the connection - makes a difference. I have no idea, but they were definitely different.

Unfortunately the Lynx is not only more expensive but less practical too as you need a MacPro or a MacBook Pro with a Magma PCI connection box to use with it, but for the sound quality I was getting I thought it is a price what one can pay.

In case you have a Macbook or a Mac Mini you can connect a very high quality 8 channel A/D and D/A like the mentioned Mytek without any difficulty.

I was testing these solutions using our own recordings, what I knew very well and using a Wave Editor post production software for the playout. Did not try them with iTunes and ripped CDs, so probably your experience can be different.

Doesn't surprise me at all and we know how buffers, settings and interfacing can change the results in these bit perfect solutions.

I currently have a cable connected to my Hi-Cap that outputs the analogue signal to my PC. So its a DIN -> RCA type cable. I don't know whether this is a balanced or unbalanced connection(I suspect the latter).

I understand the TC connections (TRS) are balanced. Can I just buy some cable connectors to go from my RCA connections to the TRS connections on the TC or does everything have to balance up so to speak i.e if the signal connection is unbalanced it can only connect to unbalanced etc or have I got the wrong end the stick!

Thanks

Jack

For input, always short the neg phase. I forgotten the correct wiring for the out as sometimes you need to short the neg phase but I believe the TC uses tip hot middle open and normal gnd for unbalanced out. If shorting is OK, 1/4" mono plugs get it done.

Not sure I understand, is this as straight forward as buying connectors or do I need the soldering iron out in which case something with RCA will be preferable.

Thanks

Jack

Going in, an adapter is definitelt fine. RCA female to mono 1/4" male.

Js....thanks for your help but I'm still not sure I get this (probably me!). If you've had enough I understand.

The signal coming from my Naim equipment on the DIN - > RCA cable is surely unbalanced. The analogue audio input on the Konnect8 expects a balanced signal into the 1/4" connector.

Putting an adapter on the RCA connector so it can connect to the 1/4" connector on the Konnect8 surely doesn't make the connection balanced?

Doesn't the output and the input have to match?

Thanks again

Jack

Your just shorting the neg. on the input. Only the gain is lower but the dig performance is unaltered. These types of units are rarely balanced in the dig domain and simple have balance to single ended conversions at the analog and dig outs for noise rejection of long cable runs required for some pro situations. Your using it unbalnced buy shorting the down phase on input or having it open on the output. On xformered outputs you often also short the neg. but I think that's not the case here.