Quote:
Originally Posted by cloneman /img/forum/go_quote.gif
A bit of a n00b question here...
What I'm looking for is perhaps a USB or FIREWIRE device that will:
- be a high end sound card
- provide amplification for high end headphones (replace a portable amplifier?)
- Provide various inputs so I can switch quickly between my computer's sound and some other ordinary analog sound source, without unplugging my headphones
Will something like the focusrite saffrire do all, or ANY of this?
Can someone explain what I need, and also, What a focusrite saffire does? (besides the DSP features which I have no interest for)
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I believe you're referring to the recently-discontinued Saffire stand-alone firewire interface, rather than the Saffire family. You *might* have a use for the DSP features. Give them a try with playback software, which in some cases you should be able to route through the filters. There is actually a cheaper unit without DSP features as well.
In essence, the Saffire will do everything you put down, except that the unit is not bus-powered from a Windows laptop so it won't replace a
portable amp. It's a transportable unit. The input activation and gain controls will allow you to 'switch' between the other audio source that you plug in: i.e. patch the appropriate input to the output in the control software, turn up the volume to hear the other source, turn it down to hear only your computer's output. There are only two mono (i.e. one stereo) analog inputs though. Personally I prefer to have audio switching duties beyond the soundcard (unless in a hybrid game/audio soundcard arrangement), but it's your choice.
If you want to componentise it in the hi-fi sense, it's a transportable ADC, DAC and headphone amp. In terms of general performance of any of those components, I would say with reasonable confidence that if you stacked up any of the custom stuff you can buy here for the same price with modules like the Saffire blind, most people would be hard pressed to hear the difference. Hell... most people have a hard enough time trying to tell a Behringer mixer headphone stage and a >$200 amp apart, especially if both are rehoused in equally impressive boxes
As playback interfaces/transports for any of my computers for 'serious' listening I don't bother with the nerdthusiast end of the soundcard market, but stick with pro audio soundcards. Somewhat less BS or parts-overdetailing for the sake of it on the whole and an emphasis on straightforward results, and what I do for a more 'traditional' hi-fi patina is to stick consumer DACs after them. The old Saffire is one of the more decent choices you could make as an all-in-one audio interface, especially at the closeout prices you can find NOS/refurbished editions for these days. As a superceded product though, I'd double-check software compatibility with what you have.
