Emu 0404 $139 + free $100 mic at Musician's Friend

[Fome]

Wow, some of you don't even care about the microphone. My bandmates would love to have condensor mics. Lol, if you have absolutely no use for them, maybe you could have them shipped my way? Just something to think about if you are feeling generous.

[empty265]

For those that were wondering about the coupons, it seems that musicians friend is having an instant rebate program as listed in the URL:

Musician's Friend - instantrebates - 021208

So if anyone is able to arrange a group buy, the savings can be increased.

1 EMU = $10 off
2 EMU = $35 off ($17 off each)
3 and 4 = Odd total and don't save as much as purchasing separately.
5 EMU = $100 off ($20 off each)

***

Back on topic, I'm wonder whether the 0404 will serve as a good beginner DAC / amp to drive a set of HD580 for a newbie like myself

Are the TRS balanced outputs going to help with an extra 6db gain?
(If it does it'll be time to get a cable...)

Also, has it been confirmed that the caps can be changed or not? (The 0404 modding thread hasn't had anything conclusive as of yet.)

***

Thanks in advance for any advice

(Still on my toes hesitating whether I want to jump on the deal... since shipping to Canada = customs = potential trainwreck ><)

[sejarzo]

Originally Posted by empty265

Back on topic, I'm wonder whether the 0404 will serve as a good beginner DAC / amp to drive a set of HD580 for a newbie like myself

Are the TRS balanced outputs going to help with an extra 6db gain?
(If it does it'll be time to get a cable...)

Yes, it will drive HD580/600/650's well enough to enjoy them, but you probably would want to move up to a better dedicated headamp at some point.

And no, the TRS outputs provide that extra gain when run as balanced outputs....if you use them with TS-to-RCA cables or adapters, they run at the standard 2.0 Vrms output for a 0 dBFS digital input, just like a typical CD player.

If you were thinking of driving headphones from those as some folks do with the balanced outputs of the Benchmark DAC1 or Apogee Mini-DAC, forget it. The 0404 USB's TRS outputs will not drive headphones, not even high impedance cans....the main output stages don't have adequate current capability (alternatively, low enough output impedance.)

[empty265]

Thanks for the advice, I'm one step closer to clicking the checkout button now


Just a few quick noobish questions:

Regarding the TRS balanced, so basically even if I got 2 balanced cables leading to each driver, there wouldn't be enough power ( current or voltage or both?) to power the HD580 properly right?

So would it help if I somehow found an amp (or 2 amps) to amplify each signal?

**
And if not, my best bet would be to amp the headphone out?


Thanks again.

Originally Posted by sejarzo

Yes, it will drive HD580/600/650's well enough to enjoy them, but you probably would want to move up to a better dedicated headamp at some point.

And no, the TRS outputs provide that extra gain when run as balanced outputs....if you use them with TS-to-RCA cables or adapters, they run at the standard 2.0 Vrms output for a 0 dBFS digital input, just like a typical CD player.

If you were thinking of driving headphones from those as some folks do with the balanced outputs of the Benchmark DAC1 or Apogee Mini-DAC, forget it. The 0404 USB's TRS outputs will not drive headphones, not even high impedance cans....the main output stages don't have adequate current capability (alternatively, low enough output impedance.)

[sejarzo]

The balanced outputs of the 0404 USB are simply not designed to drive the low impedances of any headphone, regardless of cabling. As I mentioned before, their output impedance is too high--they cannot drive enough current at the voltages required by 300 ohm cans.

Those outputs are designed to run the input of amplifiers--power amps, active monitors, external headamps, whatever. If you insert TS-to-RCA adapters or use TS-to-RCA cables, the output is then unbalanced and at the typical level of a CD player.

Don't amp the headphone output of the 0404 USB, no reason to do that when you can get a better unbalanced output from the rear panel jacks.

[MD1032]

WWBW is having a huge sale right now... bunch of stuff on closeout. I got a microphone for $7.00 that's exactly like Shure's PG58, and the cable that came with it alone is probably worth $15-20 Check it out.

Results for: mainline at Woodwind & Brasswind - Page 1

[DSeph]

Originally Posted by MD1032

I got a microphone for $7.00 that's exactly like Shure's PG58, and the cable that came with it alone is probably worth $15-20 Check it out.

Might jump on that microphone deal

To bad the 0404 is currently out of stock, it seems most retailers are having a hard time keeping them in stock (excluding amazon and such).

[ZepFloyd]

is a emu 0404 worth getting, if i'm getting my pico soon? will it sound any different, something i might be able to switch between to bring out diff aspects of my music, or is it just pointless?

[sejarzo]

Originally Posted by ZepFloyd

is a emu 0404 worth getting, if i'm getting my pico soon? will it sound any different, something i might be able to switch between to bring out diff aspects of my music, or is it just pointless?

Pointless, I presume.....based on my extended auditioning of a Predator last weekend at the Chicago meet, and that others at the meet thought it a bit warm compared to the Pico--but no one thought the 0404 USB was better than either the Pico or the Predator. The 0404 USB is a very good value if all you have is $150 to spend rather than $450 to $500 for the others, but I don't think anyone would prefer the 0404 USB.

If you need a system with a mic pre to do room measurements or to run a speaker rig easily, then the 0404 USB has capabilities that aren't available on the Pico--but for strictly headphone listening, I'm 99% sure that you'd want to use only the Pico once you compared the two.

[ZepFloyd]

Originally Posted by sejarzo

Pointless, I presume.....based on my extended auditioning of a Predator last weekend at the Chicago meet, and that others at the meet thought it a bit warm compared to the Pico--but no one thought the 0404 USB was better than either the Pico or the Predator. The 0404 USB is a very good value if all you have is $150 to spend rather than $450 to $500 for the others, but I don't think anyone would prefer the 0404 USB.

If you need a system with a mic pre to do room measurements or to run a speaker rig easily, then the 0404 USB has capabilities that aren't available on the Pico--but for strictly headphone listening, I'm 99% sure that you'd want to use only the Pico once you compared the two.

ya i figured, just thought i'd ask