AV-710 vs. 5.1 Revolution, worth the extra $50?

[Azure]

I'm going to buy my computer tomorrow (going to be my new, primary source) and I'm on a tight-ish budget and I'm looking for a affordable sound card to use with SA5000s, an M3, and a DAC in the future (I won't get the DAC for a while, so it'll be only the sound card and the M3 for quite a long time). So, which one is better, considering that the 5.1 Revolution is a whole $50 extra? What are the sound signatures of each?

 

[evilgnome]

Id say get the AV-710 and put that $50 into the DAC that you will be getting. The Revo doesnt have optical out for the DAC.

 

[sgrossklass]

Sure the Revo 5.1 doesn't have an optical out, but a coaxial one should also do, given most DACs have both kinds of inputs... Besides, the Revo is the far more versatile card, with all sampling rates instantly available without any fuss (remember the AV-710 has to be switched into high-sampling mode for anything beyond 48 kHz and 16 bit to be usable), a separate dedicated headphone out, and then it sounds better as well (better DAC, better implementation - the ch 7/8 output on the AV-710 is minimalistic at best). It's no contest, really. But if an amp will be used anyway, why not consider a 0404? It can apparently be had for $79 as well if you look in the right places.

 

[fjf]

I agree. If you want the soundcard for music AND you are getting a DAC, the av710 will do; I use it and does the job very well. If not, then get a better card, with a good DAC, and amp its analog out directly.

 

[Azure]

Don't I need to mod the 0404 to get the best out of it (Most of the 0404s that people seem to have are modded)? Also, isn't the 0404 supposed to be neutral or laid-back or something?

 

[Borat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure Don't I need to mod the 0404 to get the best out of it (Most of the 0404s that people seem to have are modded)? Also, isn't the 0404 supposed to be neutral or laid-back or something?

The opposite in my experience actually. The 0404 leans toward bright with good bass and dynamics. It is not laid back, it is upfront and punchy. It is not a neutral source.

If you live near a Guitar Center, you can possibly get the E-MU 0404 for as low as $59, but probably closer to $79 depending on the salesperson. But you shouldn't have to pay full price if you bargain there. You'd be surprised how flexible some of the salesmen (read: struggling musicians

) are.

Cards don't have to be modded. People do that because they can be modded, but it doesn't mean they sound poor when unmodded. The E-MU cards sound better than their price point would indicate.