I have gotten just about all the equipment needed for my home retirement lab. The last bit needed is a really good distortion analyzer. I understand the Audio Precision is the industry standard. Which would recommend? Considerations include not only robustness and distortion floor, but also the software interface and the interface between the instrument and the computer. We have a Sys 2 at work we use for audible noise measurements which seems to work OK, though the software interface is a PITA.
In addition, I'd like some advice as to what constitutes a complete and functioning setup. I'm probably going to end up with a Sys 2 of some sort, as that appears to be the most affordable decent option, so I'd interested in what it takes besides the bare box to hook up to a suitable computer.
Below 10k if possible. Most likely, I'll be buying used rather than new. That pretty much rules out the newer AP models, unless I happen to stumble across some fantastic deal.
A reasionable 2nd hand 2722 is about 10k in the States.
System 1 costs less, around 1k.
But it runs on Win XP or older versions, and needs hardware interface from those days.
On top of that, it is not the lowest distortion you can find.
So you might well be better off with a high-spec soundcard.
There are many articles here and on the net about what to do.
It will not be as convenient as an AP.
But then you are not doing production runs with it either.
Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements | audioXpress
Patrick
System 1 costs less, around 1k.
But it runs on Win XP or older versions, and needs hardware interface from those days.
On top of that, it is not the lowest distortion you can find.
So you might well be better off with a high-spec soundcard.
There are many articles here and on the net about what to do.
It will not be as convenient as an AP.
But then you are not doing production runs with it either.
Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements | audioXpress
Patrick
I'm also looking at the ATS-1, which does not look too shabby. I currently have an HP8903 and an old Sound Technology analyzer. I also have the capability to use a Emu audio interface w/Millett interface, though I'd like an instrument with more cred down the line.
The big problem I see is that the SYS-two units I have seen on sale are all bare-box, without the interface. That leaves you all dressed up and nowhere to go...
Considering value for money and the quite propietary closed design I would not go for any AP, but look for a high end USB audio interface like RME that gives you the freedom to use software of your choice on a PC-system of your choice.
That's probably what I'll do in the meantime, but as has been pointed out to me, there is a certain amount of cachet in having the "AP" logo on your distortion scans for commercial product...
BTW, I had a look at the AP SYS2 we have at my jub, and the boss computer looks like it has a APIB-PCI interface card installed. Finding one of those interface cards is probably going to be a lot harder than finding the AP box.
I do make an APIB USB ADAPTER to run AP System One, Two & Cascade using ApWin 2.24 and works with XP, Vista, Win7, Win8 & Win10
I repair and sell used AP’s
Duke , SOUND LOGIC LA ...
I repair and sell used AP’s
Duke , SOUND LOGIC LA ...
Essential is an annual budget, money every year, even if small.
You can not know today what you will be measuring in 2025. But with regular money you can grow your process and skills. I've seen many projects which got one flood of start-up cash, half mis-spent, and all going more obsolete every year.
I have a fairly considerable starting war chest that I haven't even tapped as of yet, so I'm not worried about finances. I'll probably be working with an accountant when I really get going.
The USB interface box for a 2722 is $ 350.
Are you going to do digital I/O tets? If not, an AP 2712 is half a 2722 and has all the analog & DSP stuff, except the digital I/O.
Jan
That's a little bit better than HPIB - I'm fond of saying that once the term "HPIB" leaves your lips, $500 leaps out of your back pocket - that's not even talking about the clunky and overpriced cables...
Then again, on a 2722, another $ 350 probably wouldn't be a deal breaker ;-)
With a bit of luck, if you find a used unit it should have a USB box.
Jan
With a bit of luck, if you find a used unit it should have a USB box.
Jan