[Jeff_Calla_1]

Hi,

I'm planning to upgrade to a high end audio card. From what I've read here, the 1212M seems to be the most popular choice. I'm wondering why folks don't consider the 1820M too. Is is the price alone?

I plan to do the following:

1. Rip/encode mp3s, etc.
2. Do some DVD authoring
3. Record/restore some of my LPs
4. Record guitar/vocals (eventually)
5. Fool around with MIDI a bit

According to the Emu folks, the 1820M is being bundled with products for a savings of ~ $500. I just don't know if it is overkill for what I have listed above.

Thanks,

JC

 

[Mr.Radar]

It is certainly not overkill for the above, especially if you do not have a phono preamp (the 1820m has one built in). The main reason is that most people on Head-Fi don't need the extra I/O capability of the 1820m and it's not a huge improvement over the 1212m. You might also want to look at the RME HDSP 9632 as it's quality (for stereo playback at least) is better than the EMU 1212m or 1820m.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_Calla_1 2. Do some DVD authoring 3. Record/restore some of my LPs 4. Record guitar/vocals (eventually) 5. Fool around with MIDI a bit

Well most people don't do those things so that makes this cards expensive for what it is.

 

[Jeff_Calla_1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Radar It is certainly not overkill for the above, especially if you do not have a phono preamp (the 1820m has one built in). The main reason is that most people on Head-Fi don't need the extra I/O capability of the 1820m and it's not a huge improvement over the 1212m. You might also want to look at the RME HDSP 9632 as it's quality (for stereo playback at least) is better than the EMU 1212m or 1820m.

I just checked out the Emu site and eventhough the spec sheet for the 1212M doesn't indicate a phone preamp, the flash demo points out a "Stereo turntable input with RIAA preamp and ground".

Is this input/preamp equivalent to what the 1820M has? Would that make them more equivalent? Don't forget, I don't know jack about this stuff.

TX

JC

 

[Rempert]

There is only one flash demo for the whole family of sound cards. That external unit is part of the 1820M, not the 1212M. The inputs and outputs for the 1212M are on a daughter card that fits in a second PCI slot. That's the difference you pay the big bucks for. For people just listening to music (or even dabbling with MIDI), there is no need for multiple analog inputs, pre-amped inputs, and phono stage. For the purposes you have listed, though, the 1820M is worth considering.

 

[roadtonowhere08]

I second either the 1820 or 1820M (better DAC's and ADC's). I believe that for what you get in hardware, it is money well spent, especially for what you are doing. When the new drivers come out, you will be able to utilize 96/192 kHz WDM as well

 

[Jeff_Calla_1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtonowhere08 I second either the 1820 or 1820M (better DAC's and ADC's). I believe that for what you get in hardware, it is money well spent, especially for what you are doing. When the new drivers come out, you will be able to utilize 96/192 kHz WDM as well

OK, I'm sold on the 1820M. Thanks to everyone for their input!!