[zigo]

I found a soundcard list with the chipset, dac and adc and, day by day, I added more infos. Very useful for who, like me, love compare products before buy them. Using the computer as source I'm ordering them by DAC manufacturer. The output specifications are: model-Dac (chipset,adc)

Cirrus Logic DACS

www.emu.com
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/E-MUCompare.htm
E-MU1212M pci-CS4398 (emu10k2/AK5394)
E/MU 1616 PCMCIA-CS4392 (?,PCM1804)
E/MU 1616M PCMCIA-CS4398-AK4396 (card) (?,AK 5394A)
E/MU 1616M PCI CS4392-AK4396 (card)(?,PCM1804)
E/MU 0202 usb-CS4392 (?,,?)
E/MU 1820-CS4392 (?,PCM1804)
E/MU 1820M-CS4398 (?,AK5394)

www.lynxstudio.com
http://www.lynxstudio.com/compare.html
Lynx22-CS4396 (?,AK5394)
Lynxtwo-CS4396 (?,AK5394)

www.creative.com
SoundBlasterAudigy4/DA-CS4382 (emu10k2/STAC9721?)
SoundBlasterX-Fi/DA-CS4382(X-FiAudioProcessor/WM8775)
SoundBlasterX-Fi/Platinum-CS4382 (X-FiAudioProcessor/WM8775)

Zhaolu 2.5c CS4398


Analog Devices DACS

www.rme-audio.com
Rme hammerfall-AD1852 (?,?)
Rme digi 96/8 PAD-AD1852 (?,AK5383)

Zhaolu 2.5a AD1852

Wolfson DACS

www.onkyo.com
SE-90PCI-WM8716 (Envy24MT)
SE-150PCI-WM8716/WM8776 (Envy24HT/WM8776)
SE-200PCI-WM8740/WM8776 (ENVY24HT/WM8776)

http://www.yystation.net/index.php?m...u=1092&id=2420
SQ714-WM8740 (Envy24 HT-S,?)

www.terratec.com
Aureon7.1/Space-WM8770 (Envy24HT/STAC9744)
Aureon7.1/Universe-WM8770 (Envy24HT/STAC9744)

www.kuroutoshikou.com
ENVY24HTS-PCI-WM8728 (Envy24HT-S/VT1616)
ENVY24HT-HG8PCI-WM8766 (Envy24HT/WM8776)

www.audiotrak.net
Prodigy 7.1 XT-WM8770 (ENVY24HT/WM8770)
Prodigy 7.1 hifi-WM8766 (ENVY24HT/WM8776)

Asahi Kasey DACS

www.emu.com
E-MU0404 usb-AK4395 (older)-AK4396 (new) (emu10k2/PCM1804)

www.terratec.com
PHASE22-AK4524 (Envy24HT-S/AK4524)
DMX6Fire/24-96-AK4524 (Envy24/AK4524)

www.club-3d.com
Theatron dts-AK4396 (CMI8788,?)

www.bluegears.com
B-Enspirer-AK4396 (CMI8788,?)

www.sondigo.com
Inferno 7.1-AK4396 (CMI8788,?)

www.audiotrak.net
Prodigy192-AK4396 (Envy2HT/AK5353)
PRODIGY HD2-AK4396 (ENVY24HT)

www.m-audio.com
AudioPhile2496forPCI-X-AK4528 (Envy24/AK4528)
AudioPhile192-AK4358 (Envy24HT/AK5385)
M-Audio Firewire 410-AK4355/AK4381 (Envy24 HT,AK5380)(Review)
M-Audio firewire audiofile-AK4628 (?,AK4628)
DELTA1010LT-AK4524 (Envy24/AK4524)
M-Audio Delta 1010-AK4393 (Via Envy24,AKM AK5383) (review)
M-Audio Delta 44 & 66-AK4524 (Envy24,AKM AK4524) (Review)
M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1-AK4358VQ (Envy24GT,AK5365VQ) (Review)

www.esi-pro.com
Juli@-AK4358 (Envy24HT-S/AK5385)
Waveterminal U24-AK4524 (TI TAS1020A ,AK4524)

www.auzentech.com
Auzen X-Meridian 7.1-AK4396VF (CMI8788,AK5385)

Who want contribute adding more specs please do it, I will publish the list with additions.
In particular I would know the same informations about firewire soundcards, like:

Echo Audiofire2
Edirol FA66
Yamaha GO44
M-Audio firewire solo
Terratec phase x24
Presonus firebox
Presonu inspire 1394
Esi-Quatafire
RME fireface400

Thanks

Links to dacs and cards comparisons:
http://www.audiodesignguide.com/DAC_final/DacFinal.html
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/s...hreadid=236215
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...ghlight=AD1852

Links to dacs-adcs with characteristics by manufacturers:
Cirrus Logic
http://www.cirrus.com/en/pubs/presen...converters.pdf
Wolfson dacs
http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/productListings/dacs/
Texas Instruments dacs
http://focus.ti.com/paramsearch/docs...ngPage=null#rt
Analog Devices dacs
http://www.analog.com/en/subCat/0,28...0%255F,00.html
Asahi Kasey
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/audio.html

Link to a database with a lot of audio products using dac chips inside:
http://members.cox.net/alexhardware/IC_database1.htm

A GREAT thanks to all contributors

(This post is continuously updated)

 

[CSMR]

Good idea! Thread deserves a sticky. Any chance you could sort your list by manufacturer?

The 1616m and the 1820m have the same dacs and adcs as the 1212m, AK5394 and CS4398.
More E-MUs:
0202 USB: CS4392 DAC.
0404 USB: AK5385a ADC, AK4396 DAC
1820 and 1616: PCM1804 ADC, CS4392 DAC

 

[zigo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSMR /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good idea! Thread deserves a sticky. Any chance you could sort your list by manufacturer? The 1616m and the 1820m have the same dacs and adcs as the 1212m, AK5394 and CS4398. More E-MUs: 0202 USB: CS4392 DAC. 0404 USB: AK5385a ADC, AK4396 DAC 1820 and 1616: PCM1804 ADC, CS4392 DAC

I'll do

Thanks for your add.
It could be interesting add the dac list of stand alone dacs too.

 

[zigo]

.

 

[dougwx12]

Another from ESI:

Waveterminal U24 (TI TAS1020A ,AK4524,AK4524)

 

[jiiteepee]

M-Audio Delta 1010 : Via Envy24, AKM AK4393, AKM AK5383 (Review)
M-Audio Delta 44 & 66 : Envy24, AK4524, AKM AK4524 ( (Review) -
M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1 : Envy24GT, AK4358VQ, AK5365VQ (Review R7.1)
M-Audio Firewire 410 : Envy24 HT, AK4355/AK4381, AK5380(Review)(Review)


Also, http://members.cox.net/alexhardware/IC_database1.htm


jiitee

 

[zigo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiiteepee /img/forum/go_quote.gif M-Audio Delta 1010 : Via Envy24, AKM AK4393, AKM AK5383 (Review) M-Audio Delta 44 & 66 : Envy24, AK4524, AKM AK4524 ( (Review) - M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1 : Envy24GT, AK4358VQ, AK5365VQ (Review R7.1) M-Audio Firewire 410 : Envy24 HT, AK4355/AK4381, AK5380(Review)(Review) Also, http://members.cox.net/alexhardware/IC_database1.htm jiitee

I see there are a lot of "data collectors" around

.That data base is incredible

 

[hifizen]

... freshly dissected:

ADC: AKM AK5384 (4Ch., 107dB SNR)
DAC: AKM AK4358 (8Ch., 112dB SNR)

Good but not great. OTOH, as good as it gets for multi-channel converters, and the AKM's sound nice.

Opamps are all ST Micro, MC33078 and 33079, including the mic pres & headphone out. Again, decent but nothin special.

Not too thrilled that the ADC sits right next to the switching power transformer (controlled by a LM2586S "simple switcher", yuk). Input to the ADC does not seem to have any limiter circuitry, as do some firewire boxes like the Edirol. I suppose if you want that, it'd be better to go with an outboard limiter anyway (even the very best VCAs, like the 2181A don't have great specs).

 

[hifizen]

... freshly dissected:

8x AK4528 CODEC (2Ch. A-D @ 108dB SNR + 2Ch. D-A @ 110dB SNR)
1x AK4382 DAC for main outs (2Ch., 112dB SNR? - this spec is for the 4382A version, which may or may not be the same)

These are definitely not top-tier converters, but they should sound OK. I'm disappointed to see CODECs instead of separate DACs / ADCs. This seriously limits both the quality of the AD converter, and the upgrade potential.

Opamps are mostly NJR 4580 and 2115 ... very ho-hum, but better than the Firebox's 3307x chips. I see a couple of chips marked "2134" in the mic pre section, so these might be the Burr-Brown OPA2134, which are very good opamps indeed. I'm quite pleased to see that.

Some general notes: quality of design and construction compared to the Presonus Firebox is night and day. The Motu is vastly superior in this department. Whereas the Firebox is nearly impossible to open up and service / mod, the Motu is very easy, and uses higher quality parts (cast Al chassis, metal standoffs, removable front panel knobs, way better 1/4" jacks, etc). Circuit layout is also leaps and bounds better, to this engineer's eyes.

Update regarding the Firebox, and a word of warning to those considering a purchase: the mic pres on the Firebox only have 35dB of analog gain. No really, that's all! Their feeble attempt to make up for this was to add a 12dB "digital boost" ... eg. 12dB of wasted SNR and overhead in the ADC. It sounds like $#!+ when you crank the gain up all the way, and it still can't get adequate levels with ribbon or dynamic mics. So, the Presonus was sent back from whence it came, tail between it's legs, and I bought the Motu instead. People say that Presonus knows mic preamps, but after using the Firebox a while, and having a more thorough look at the internals, I really wonder... it just has "amateur" written all over it. Shoddy, shoddy engineering. Where I work, heads would roll (mass firings) if such a deficient design actually went into production. In contrast, I have relatively few complaints with how the Motu is designed. For the price, one might wish for a 4-layer main board and some more robust power regulation. On the other hand, I'm pleased to see that the 828mkII has a nice linear power supply instead of a switcher. Bonus points for that.

Sorry to turn this post into a mini-review / gripe, but thought that people looking here for info on these firewire interfaces should be aware of the Firebox's surprising and significant shortcomings.

One last thing... I was also considering a Mackie Onyx 400F firewire interface. These units use the AK5385A 2Ch. ADC (114dB SNR). Not quite top-tier, but close. DAC is AK4358 (8Ch. 112dB SNR), kind of a mid-grade DAC, nothing special. Mic pres are reputedly better than Presonus or Motu, but I don't know what the opamp types are.

 

[ChuckT]

I found that new Revo 7.1 now uses the WM8728.
In fact, the card looks almost extactly like the AV-710 with a optical spif out.
Lucky I checked before I buy.
I now have an EMU-0404.

 

[udeupa]

Any idea which one is good to drive AKG K501?

 

[Tenson]

Following on from Hi-FiZen's analysis of the Firebox I have something to add.

I recently found that the SPDIF output is not truly transformer isolated. Although they have a tx on the digital output, the negative phase is pulled to ground, so all the electrical noise can get through from the computer to the equipment receiving the signal. Ground loops can also occur.

I have just modified mine, putting a new RCA socket in the back just above the power plug. I then un-soldered the output side of the isolation tx and connected directly to the new RCA. This of course means I can have a balanced digital output (i.e. AES/EBU) if I don't pull the negative phase to ground at the receiving end.

I used to get a bit of noise feeding through from the computer, and it is now completely silent

For those interested, the digital output isolation transformer is located on the lower circuit board near the D-shaped connector on the back. The output side of the tx is to the right hand side when the unit is facing you.

Besides being a bit disappointed about that though, I have to say it is a great unit. The mic inputs sound just great to me, despite the 12dB digital boost (according to hi-fizen). You still have a dynamic range just exceeding that of CD. You can also use an external mic pre with the rear jack connectors if you prefer. Anyway this isn't a soundcard review so i will stop there!

 

[Tenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by udeupa /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any idea which one is good to drive AKG K501?

I drive my AKG K401 with the Firebox output and it has plenty of headroom. Pleasantly surprising.

 

[obobskivich]

X-Fi is EMU20k1, X-Fi Titanium is EMU20k2

 

[RME]

RME Fireface 800 - DAC AK4396
RME Fireface 400 - DAC/ADC AK4620
RME HDSP 9632 - DAC AD1852
RME DigiPad - DAC AD1852; ADC AK5383
TC Konnekt 24D - DAC/ADC AK4620
Apogee Duet - DAC/ADC CS4272
E-MU 0404 USB - DAC AK4396; ADC AK5385A