Help! E-Mu 1212M different versions?

[hoki]

hi,

this is my first post in head-fi.org, although i am an continous reader here in this forum because for me it's an excellent information source. --> First time poster long time reader^^

i'm from germany and i'm going to buy an emu 1212m. it happended by chance that i found an auction in e***.com (230194106229) to be the absolutely best offer for this soundcard.

this auction contans a short description "these may contain version 1 or version 2"

any idea what this description means? are there different versions of the emu 1212m available and if yes: which is the better one?

i also asked the offerer but do not get an answer yet.

thanks in advance,

hoki

 

[MaloS]

I take that back it hasn't ... (whatever I just erased from this post).

The A/D chip was upgraded xD

 

[Cauhtemoc]

There are two versions of the 1212M. The old version is called 1212M, the newer is called 1212M PCI. The difference is minimal however, the newer version lacks the FireWire interface but is slightly cheaper. See below.

Old:

New:

 

[Xyrium]

Really? I think I may have both versions. I'll have to break open my PCs tonight. What were the old and new AD chips?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif I take that back it hasn't ... (whatever I just erased from this post). The A/D chip was upgraded xD

 

[hoki]

@Cauhtemoc

thanks for this information!

so, the only difference is connectivity, not the quality of the AD/DA section? i only lay stress on maximum audio quality with the balanced output.

hoki

p.s.: i noticed that in germany this soundcard is always sold as 1212m....since when the second version is the latest to buy?

 

[Cauhtemoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoki so, the only difference is connectivity, not the quality of the AD/DA section? i only lay stress on maximum audio quality with the balanced output.

The 1212M consists of two cards, one analog and one digital. I do not believe the analog card changed between the revisions. The DACs, ADCs opamps etc. are all the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoki p.s.: i noticed that in germany this soundcard is always sold as 1212m....since when the second version is the latest to buy?

That's a common mistake from the suppliers. If my memory serves me correct, the new version was introduced sometime at the end of 2006. If you buy a 1212M today, it will be the new version.

 

[hoki]

@Cauhtemoc:

again many thanks for your quick and detailed answer.

i really suggest to buy this soundcard in the USA, because although shippinng to germany is 55 US-$

, it's still a bargain compared to the prices in germany (149,- €)

or is maybe anyone out there who wants to sale his emu 1212m for a good price

hoki

 

[infinitesymphony]

E-MU has stated that there is no quality difference between the v1 and v2 versions of the 1212M. The revision (v2) came about due to the need to make the card RoHS compliant, and in the process they also revised some of the circuit board design, which makes the v2 look a little bare in comparison.

Musician's Friend's $99 clearance sale of the 1212M about a year ago was their way of depleting the last of the v1 stock.

The v2 also substitutes an EDI port for the previous Firewire port. This allows it to be connected with the Microdock and Microdock M for added functionality.

 

[hoki]

@infinitesymphony

ah, that's interesting! so i have to choose the newer version, if i want the possibility to upgrade the card with microdock (as far as is remember a "prominent" member of head-fi mentioned that the seperate breakout-box is an upgrade because it's outside the pc case.)

or i start right from the beginning with the 1820M

hoki

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoki /img/forum/go_quote.gif or i start right from the beginning with the 1820M

The 1820M has been discontinued for several years; the 1616M is its replacement.

Regarding 1212M versus 1616M, it might be worthwhile to get the DAC / analog portion outside of the case, but realistically, the performance will be roughly the same. The 1616M's advantages are that it has microphone preamplifiers, a headphone amplifier, and a phono preamplifier for connecting a turntable.

If those features are important, it would probably be more cost-effective to start with the 1616M, since the 0202 analog card that comes with the 1212M won't be used if you add a MicroDock.

 

[hoki]

Quote:

The 1820M has been discontinued for several years; the 1616M is its replacement.

yes, i am aware of that, but the latest version 1616m is simply too expensive for me, so i am thinking about buying the previous model 1820m in a good used condition (with the same AD/DA as far as i know) as a nice alternative.

Quote:

Regarding 1212M versus 1616M, it might be worthwhile to get the DAC / analog portion outside of the case, but realistically, the performance will be roughly the same

unfortunately i have no chance to test both setups (1212m against 1820m oder 1616m) but i also suggest that the difference is maybe not worth while the extra money i have to spent for the 1820m.

so the cheapest (and for me) maybe best solution is to buy a 1212m?
after a while i can upgrade to an external DAC, which has for sure more effect than the breakout box microdoc m.

hoki

 

[infinitesymphony]

I think so... If you won't use the extra features of the docks, the 1212M is just as good for significantly less; all three have the same A/D and D/A, as you say. E-MU's measurements between the 1212M and 1820M are identical.