[size=xx-small]
UPDATE #1: Added audio device “Tascam US-122” (suggested by Acid_lt), added some of the important specs for each audio device.
UPDATE #2: Added audio device “TerraTec Aureon 7.1 FireWire” (by lini), and “Xitel Pro HiFi-Link” (by emphatic) as an option to go with AOS Flute. Added Yamaha's CAVIT line (by SunByrne) – note that they are out of production and it seems there are no drivers for Windows XP.
UPDATE #3: Added cheaper audio devices (around $50). Added two top devices in this list: “ESI QuataFire 610” ($350) and “PreSonus FireBox” ($400).
UPDATE #4: Added three more top devices: “Focusrite Saffire” ($500), “M-Audio FW 410” ($400) and “Edirol FA-66” ($400). Cosmetic changes.
UPDATE #5: Added CardBus audio device “E-MU 1616M” ($500) (recommended by Ian).
UPDATE #6: Added firewire audio device “Echo AudioFire 8” ($600).
UPDATE #7: Added “PCI to PCMCIA” Controller Card ($30) to E-MU 1616m product (2nd on list).
UPDATE #8: As spoted by dallasstar there are/were some errors in given specs. Fixed data is in BLUE color. (Note: SNR data are for ADC, for DAC all have a bit higher numbers.)
UPDATE #9: Added “Behringer B-Control audio BCA2000” ($220) and “Behringer B-Control DeeJay” ($150)
UPDATE #10: Updated some prices as of today April 29. To note: “Focusrite Saffire” is now JUST $400 in USA!
UPDATE #11: Updated most prices as of today July 26 (I've kept old price on left, new is on right). Added Novation SpeedIO ($150) as recommended at nuendo.com forum
[/size]

Hello! I've researched web & various forums, put up few posts and sent few
PMs, and here is the result/list of external audio devices which I gathered.

Please don’t mind the order of list, it’s just my opinion based on what
I’ve read from reviews & user opinions, prob. none heard all of them

Do you know some other external audio devices to put them on the list?


[size=medium]List of External Audio Devices: [/size]

(Prices from $250 to $500, found by www.froogle.com & www.BHphoto.com)

-- $600/$400 [size=small]Focusrite Saffire[/size]
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 4-in/8-out, mic/guitar in 2x (60dB of gain), DSP 5x?, headphone out 2x, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.focusrite.com/products/saffire/
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/custo...roductid=21486
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/s...roduct_id/5559
http://www.24get.com/Audio/Focusrite_Saffire.pdf (1 MB PDF Brochure - Specs)

-- $500/$380 [size=small]E-MU 1616M[/size]
Specs: CardBus, 24bits/192kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 16-in/16-out, mic/guitar in (60dB of gain), DSP 20x, headphone out 2x (one on CardBus), AC/CardBus-powered
http://www.emu.com/new/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=385075
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/EMU035.shtml
http://www.24get.com/Audio/E-MU_1616M.pdf (340 KB PDF Brochure - Specs)

-- $400/$300 [size=small]M-Audio FW410[/size]
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR 108dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 4-in/10-out, mic/guitar in 2x (66dB of gain), headphone out 2x, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...e410-main.html
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-MII-FW410.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=275194&is=REG
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/s...roduct_id/3013

-- $380/$365 [size=small]Edirol FA-66[/size]
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR 105dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 6-in/6-out, mic/guitar in (50dB of gain), limiter, headphone out, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.edirol.com/products/info/fa66.html
http://www.genesis-technologies.com/...ductID=7965041
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/custo...roductid=21599
http://www.edirol.it/europe/details....60&id=24&la=UK

-- $350/$320 [size=small]PreSonus FireBox[/size]
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 107dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 4-in/8-out, mic/guitar in (45dB of gain), headphone out 150mW/Ch, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=356702&is=REG
http://www.americanmusical.com/item-...EBOX-BSTK.html
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/s...roduct_id/5031

-- $350/$330 [size=small]ESI QuataFire 610[/size]
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, mic/guitar in, 4-in/8-out (48dB of gain), headphone out, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=16&page=1
http://www.floridamusicco.com/prodde...artner=froogle
http://www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/thoi...918fbeb399407a

-- $600/$600 [size=small]Echo AudioFire8
[/size] (Sennheiser HD-280 Pro is included in package, worth cca $100.)
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 113dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 10-in/10-out, mic/guitar in, headphone out 2x, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/Fi...ire8/index.php
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/custo...roductid=21599


(Prices up to $250, found by www.froogle.com)

-- $220/$220 Behringer B-Control audio BCA2000
Specs: USB, 24bits/96kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, Control Interface, mic, guitar, headphone out 2x
http://www.behringer.com/BCA2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

-- $150/$150 Behringer B-Control DeeJay
Specs: USB, 24bits/96kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, DJ machine, mic, headphone out
http://www.behringer.com/bcd2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

-- $200/$150 Novation SpeedIO
Specs: USB, 24bits/48kHz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, mic, guitar, headphone out, USB-powered, 0.5kg
http://www.novationmusic.com/product.asp?id=12&Type=1

-- $230/$220 Edirol UA-25
Specs: USB, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 105dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, limiter, mic, guitar, headphone out, USB-powered 480mA, 550g
http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua25.html

-- $200/$110 Tascam US-122
Specs: USB, 24bits/48Hz, SNR 100dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, mic, guitar, headphone out 10mW, USB-powered 2.5W, 925g
http://www.tascam.de/en/us-122.html

-- $190/$220 Terratec Phase 24 Firewire
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR 109dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, AC/Firewire-powered
http://produceren.terratec.net/modul...=article&sid=5

-- $200/$250 TerraTec Aureon 7.1 Firewire
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192Hz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, 7.1, mic in, EAX2, ir remote, AC/Firewire-powered
http://sounden.terratec.net/modules....rticle&sid=198

-- $200/$190 Terratec Phase 26 USB
Specs: USB, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 97dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 5.1, mic in, HPout 36mW, AC/USB-powered
http://produceren.terratec.net/modul...=article&sid=6

-- $200 HeadRoom BitHead
Specs: USB, 16bits/48kHz, SNR ?dB, Battery-powered, 170g
http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?...tID=0000010003

-- $200/$160 M-AUDIO Solo Firewire
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 106dB, S/PDIF, mic in, guitar in, AC-powered
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...hile-main.html

-- $190/$140 M-AUDIO Audiophile Firewire
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 106dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, AC-powered, 770g
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...hile-main.html

-- $180/$120 M-AUDIO Audiophile USB
Specs: USB, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 109dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, AC-powered, 580g
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...eUSB-main.html

-- $200/$160 ESI Waveterminal U24
Specs: USB, 24bits/48Hz, SNR 100dB, S/PDIF, USB-powered, 1800g
http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=10&page=1

-- $130/$130 Edirol UA-20
Specs: USB, 24bits/44Hz, SNR 105dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, mic in, guitar in, USB-powered 170mA, 200g
http://www.edirol.it/europe/details....la=UK&code=247

-- $100/$70 M-AUDIO Transit
Specs: USB, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 104dB, S/PDIF, USB-powered, smallest, 45g
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html

-- $100/$80 Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
Specs: USB 2.0, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 102dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 5.1, DVD-Audio, EAX2/SVM, USB-powered, 980g
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/

-- $130/$100 Sound Blaster Extigy
Specs: USB, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 100dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 5.1, EAX2, AC-powered, 1800g
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/extigy/

-- $120/$80 Toshiba Audio/USB Hub
Specs: USB, 24bits/96Hz, SNR ?dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 5.1, EAX, Ethernet, USB Hub
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...4&ccid=1291043


Cheaper Audio Devices, around $50:
-- Sound Blaster Live! USB http://www.soundblaster.com/products/Live24ext/
-- Zalman ZM-RSA http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/product...x=111&code=023
-- Zalman ZM-RSSC http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/product...x=112&code=023
-- ABIT Media XP/Pro http://www.abit-usa.com/products/multimedia/mediaxp/
-- ABIT UA-11 http://www.abit-usa.com/products/multimedia/ua11/
-- Philips PSC805 http://tinyurl.com/4nlov

-- Yamaha's CAVIT external audio soundboards (older goodies)
Specs: USB, 24bits/96Hz, SNR 100dB, S/PDIF, 5.1, AC-powered, >5000g
http://www.yamahamultimedia.com/yec/idx_cavit.asp
$400 RP-U200, $300 RP-U100, $250 AP-U70, $200 DP-U50


By what I’ve read it seems that few of the above audio devices sound as good as some
well regarded dedicated headphones amps. Edirol UA-25 is supposedly just a bit
"weaker" than Corda HA-1 MkII, and if you take into consideration that Corda
costs almost $500 then I think that many of the top amps above are of great value.


I’d also like to mention what seems to be one of the best classical dedicated amp
combo for computers for up to $500: “M-Audio Transit” + “AOS Electronics Flute”.

-- $400 [size=small]AOS Electronics Flute [/size] (DAC & AMP)
http://aoselectronics.com/flute.html

...with...

-- $100/$70 M-Audio Transit USB
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html
...or...
-- $90/$75 Xitel Pro HiFi-Link USB
http://www.xitel.com/product_phfl.htm
...or...
-- $30/$20 Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro USB
http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/prod...roducthome.asp


And if would have to go just with a portable amp, I think best value is:
-- $190 [size=small]Porthaphile V2^2[/size] http://www.portaphile.com/ordering.html
...which is said to be as good as XIN SuperMacro-3 ($250 or $350),
but I’d still be stuck with poor notebook & desktop line-out, so for
those like me, who have tons of MP3s on computer, this is a no go.


Note: The top on the list audio device “Focusrite Saffire” is now JUST $400 in USA,
note that this has TWO headphone built-in amplifiers, which alone are probably
worth $400

And if you check the power of this device, makes you wonder
how is it possible it's so cheap, especially when compared to some headphone
amplifiers which cost around that much while, just guessing, doubtfully being
any better... I wish so much someone would review this device and
dedicated headphone amps in $400 price range...


Your opinion & recommendations are appreciated!
[size=xx-small]>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[/size]

I got an m-audio firewire audiophile for $119 frm J&R last week (it's back up to $150, you can get one at guitar center as well)

It seems decent, though according to M-audio, it can occasionally fry certain other pieces of equipment if you hot plug the firewire. It works well with both my PC and my Powerbook. I haven't heard any clipping with it. It's much better than my creative mp3 USB sound device I got as a temporary "fix"

What laptop do you have? (Mac or PC?)

You also should consider putting Tascam u-122 in to the list. (http://www.tascam.de/en/us-122.html) it is a very proffesionally made card. I haven't heard one for myself, YET , but I've heard from a few people and a music shop dealer that it sounds better then waveterminal u24 (both cards cost aproximatelly the same at his shop). Maybe he'll give me it for a few days for trying, so I can compare it to my emu 0404.

which one has dolby digital decoding?

I guess all are dedicated headphones amp I presume?

thanx

mryman: Any reason why you don't also consider the Terratec Aureon 7.1 FireWire?

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

I have not tried any of the external cards on this list, but the card I have used with success is the Xitel Pro HiFi-Link card.

I use it as a digital pass-through, out of the USB port, through the Xitel card and into my Kenwood receiver. It gets me out of the crappy laptop i'm using without losing any quality, and the receiver does my DAC work pretty well.

I wont mention the fantastic speakers i just hooked up to the system (wrong forum eh ) but i will say that this setup works well pushing 100 watts through some great speakers without any noticable (to my ears) problems.

You should add to the list Yamaha's CAVIT line of outboard processors;

http://www.yamahamultimedia.com/yec/idx_cavit.asp

They might not be making them anymore, but you can still find 'em online.

Anyone knows [size=small]PreSonus FireBox[/size] ($400) ??? http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

Check specs, and their web site, Headphone out with 150mW/Ch seems a lot! Opinions?

Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 107dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, mic in 2x, in 6x, out 10x, Headphone out 150mW/Ch 20Hz-20kHz, AC/Firewire-powered

For now I’ve narrowed my choice to three candidates, all three being portable
audio devices primary dedicated to recording. I think these are very good to be
used as headphone amps too. The forth option is the only one which consists
of dedicated headphone amp + a computer device, but for this combo I'm not
sure it will sound better than the other options. Plus knowing that you have
to deal with two boxes and losing all that inputs/outputs to record whatever
one wants (if not voice, vocals, instruments, perhaps vinyl records, and if
not today, perhaps some other day, and if not you, perhaps your friends):

-1- $500 Focusrite Saffire
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR 107dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 4-in/8-out, mic, guitar, DSP, 2x headphone out, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.focusrite.com/products/saffire/

-2- $400 Edirol FA-66
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/192kHz, SNR 105dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 6-in/6-out, mic, guitar, limiter, headphone out, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.edirol.com/products/info/fa66.html

-3- $400 PreSonus FireBox
Specs: Firewire, 24bits/96kHz, SNR 107dB, S/PDIF, MIDI, 6-in/10-out, mic, guitar, headphone out 150mW/Ch, AC/Firewire-powered
http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

-4- $500 AOS Electronics Flute ($400) + M-Audio Transit USB ($100)
http://aoselectronics.com/flute.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html

bump - no one to add opinions or recommendations for other audio devices?

I havn't heard many of those devices but I'd just like to add one more.

emu 1616m is a cardbus solution. It might sound like it's brothers 1212m and 1820m since it may use the same convertors.

Hi Ian, thanks for the info, I've added E-MU 1616M device to the list... Looks as best competitor to Saffire thus far, tho I'd prefer a Firewire solution, so it can be used also on desktop computers...

I've sent an email to Focusrite, producer of the new upcoming product »Saffire« (first link in my list), this is the reply I got:

Quote:



And here is link to PDF brochure (2MB) with specs on Saffire: http://www.24get.com/Audio/Focusrite-Saffire.pdf

Comments/opinions appreciated! And, let me know what more can I ask them about the headphone amp... What does it mean “high current amp”? Compared to op-amp?

I’m really after buying this product....

So, what does this mean?

"The headphone output uses a special high current amp rather than an op-amp based design."


I googled the net and this is what I found here:
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/6893.html

Quote:

Quote:



In plain English, this probably says that there's a power amplifier chip in there, the simplest example being an LM386. These can drive low-impedance loads with ease and deliver lots of output power on low supply voltages, but seldomly feature impressive distortion specs.

BTW, a model that should not be in your list is the Terratec Aureon 7.1 Universe - that's no more than an internal card with a front module.

Stephan

Thanks Stephan for spotting that -- I removed "Terratec Universe" from the list...

As per "high current amp" vs. "op-amp", I still don't know what does that
really tell, if anything? Is it such a thing better or not, also considering
other specs in Focusrite Saffire, and what Focusrite guy told about it...