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Originally Posted by amb /img/forum/go_quote.gif
NelsonVandal, your RMAA results' noise figures are improbably good. Are you running these tests with the amp's volume turned down from maximum? Otherwise if the amp under test has any gain at all, the noise should be significantly worse than the loopback. Also, how could the loopback's stereo crosstalk be 10dB worse than with the amp in place? Finally, the figures themselves don't tell enough. The graphs are far more interesting.
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I run the RMAA tests with the volume at about 12 o'clock, because that's where it's usually at when I'm listening. I know you run your tests at max volume. Can't you please show how you set E-mu PatchMix when you do your tests? I use the default "RMAA", 48 kHz and 24 bit.
Regarding noise, I evaluate all amps by ear using IEM's. The difference in noise is quite audible this way and in harmony with the test results. All my amps have a gain of 4 - 6.
When it comes to crosstalk, don't you think it has to do with output impedance? The tests above were done without load. I can't find my dummy loads. Speaking of crosstalk, I think it's fascinating to see what effect small plugs have. I wouldn't believe it unless I saw it with my own eyes.
I have a high performance Mini3, and I use it as reference. Both of the perfboard amps mentioned above have slightly better crosstalk and lower distortion. The noise level is about the same. It's regardless of load (10, 33, 330R or no load). In both of them there are diamond buffers in closed loop, without multiloop. To my ears multiloop doesn't improve things.
I'll run some test at max volume later. Right now RMAA and/or PatchMix has gone crazy after updating. I really hate PatchMix, it's awful. I'm going to sell the E-mu if I can find some other cheap and good soundcard.