Hi!
I am need a sound card to make measurements of THD and intermodulation distortions of my equipment. Some people recommended me M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 or 192. The first is manufactured since 2002, quite old stuff. What is so special in these cards? Are they really much better then any top of the line Creative or Intel integrated?
PS. Anyone have used M-Audio Audiophile 192 with Linux PC?
Thanks in advance for any suggestion.
I am need a sound card to make measurements of THD and intermodulation distortions of my equipment. Some people recommended me M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 or 192. The first is manufactured since 2002, quite old stuff. What is so special in these cards? Are they really much better then any top of the line Creative or Intel integrated?
PS. Anyone have used M-Audio Audiophile 192 with Linux PC?
Thanks in advance for any suggestion.
LinuksGuru said:
What are your goals for lowest THD and SNR you can measure?
A common 16 bit card can do 0.00X%THD easy, but if you want 0.000X %THD you need to use one of the better 24 bit cards. I have made measurements of the MAudio 192, the source is worse than the inputs, but it can do 0.0004% THD with built in source, 0.00018% THD with external Tek SG505 or HP339A source.
There are a couple other threads spread around the DIY site here already where this has been fairly well discussed, with typical measurements. Note that these quoted numbers are based on optimizing all parameters, and there is not a lot of flexibility in levels, you need to take care of that external to the card. Can't comment on Linux, all my experience is with XP.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91745&pagenumber=1
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137843
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41115
Thanks a lot, [BFNY]. I had several audio cards: integrated into m/b Realtec, Intel, and PCI SB Live. All of them havd the same problem - crackling noise. I think this comes from power supply and op-amp.
I wonder if M-Audio also suffers from the same problem or not?
I wonder if M-Audio also suffers from the same problem or not?
I can recommend Asus Xonar Essence STX for S/N, distortion and all other audio measurements. The problems might be drivers for Linux and availability, as it is about to be replaced by a new card (with slightly worse S/N, 120dB compared to 124dB.
If you need to measure in balanced mode I recommend ESI Juli@.
Another decent card is Auzentech (I am told).
If you need to measure in balanced mode I recommend ESI Juli@.
Another decent card is Auzentech (I am told).
LinuksGuru said:
op-amp?
Crackling noise? This doesn't sound right. The MB and SB SCs should not 'crackle'. You evidently know how to work linux so I shouldn't have to ask if you have these cards set up correctly in the software, but the settings ARE critical, particularly buffering. You can get crackling as a result of incorrect OS and SW settings.
When I plug my (very good) headphones into a variety of machines that I have I can get CD playback without crackling from any of them. CD playback is a good basic place to start and demonstrate the system's performance.
The M-audio SCs are excellent but you have another problem you need to solve before you will get any benefit from them.
w
LinuksGuru said:
i have used the 24/192 for 4 years (measuments - sold it, only because i need a portable one-usb).
Noise floor was -120db relative to 1v input, FR measuments up to 96 kHz. Overall, very-very good for the task.
I think nowdays you can expect similar performance from a Juli@ with less money.
In addition, i would never buy a measurment card with mini-jacks for input and output.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.