Topic: Finally found my ADC solution

[Kyle]

I have been running V2 > AD2K for some time and I love it - except for the non-variable gain on the AD2K. Benchmark's new ADC1 is out and it looks to be about perfect. It has all of the features of the ad2k+ with the addition of variable word length and sample rate on the aux output and calibrated or variable gain on the input. There are other improvements as well. If the sound is simialr to the ad2k I will be stoked.  Now, how to raise a few $$....

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/adc1/

a better pic

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/closeup/ADC1--Main

[JasonSobel]

it does look cool, but I'm curious, why do you need variable gain on your ADC when you're running a V2.  doesn't the V2 give you enough gain for every situation? 

[scb]

is it ac only like the dac-1?

[marc0789]

wtf does this mean:

internal, international, toroidal power supply.

[Ray76]

wtf does this mean:

internal, international, toroidal power supply.

means it can be used at 110 or 220 volts. Toroidal is the type of coil used in the PSU.  reduces resistance, due to the larger diameter and smaller number of windings. Carry greater current than solenoids, their counterparts...

[marc0789]

thanks ray...so is this an ac unit only?

[Brian]

looks like an all-in-1 as well.  i'm a big fan of benchmark converters. i'm sure this would sound nice.

problem is it looks to be AC only judging from the pictures

[Ray76]

thanks ray...so is this an ac unit only?

yep...thats what it looks like on the specs page....

power inverter...are they expensive?

[Brian]

it's not so much that they are really expensive but it would be hassle to carry that, plus a battery.  just takes up more space IMO.  it wouldn't be worth the hassle for me, personally.

[scb]

mytek!

[Kyle]

yea, a good power solution would def be needed!

[Kyle]

it does look cool, but I'm curious, why do you need variable gain on your ADC when you're running a V2.  doesn't the V2 give you enough gain for every situation? 

The V2 doesa have variable gain, but in 5db steps. So if you are to hot, you can use the trim know to scale down, but if you need more gain, you have to jump up 5db and get (sometimes) a nice little pop. Variable gain on the ADC would solve this for me.

I would just get a V3 but I love the Benchmark ADC. However, with the AC issue, it might be a bit of a pain to run in the field.

[JasonSobel]

it does look cool, but I'm curious, why do you need variable gain on your ADC when you're running a V2.  doesn't the V2 give you enough gain for every situation? 

The V2 doesa have variable gain, but in 5db steps. So if you are to hot, you can use the trim know to scale down, but if you need more gain, you have to jump up 5db and get (sometimes) a nice little pop. Variable gain on the ADC would solve this for me.

I would just get a V3 but I love the Benchmark ADC. However, with the AC issue, it might be a bit of a pain to run in the field.

The V3, by the way, also has 5dB increments with an additional 0-10dB with a smooth trim.  So a V3 wouldn't really fix that issue.

[Kyle]

it does look cool, but I'm curious, why do you need variable gain on your ADC when you're running a V2.  doesn't the V2 give you enough gain for every situation? 

The V2 doesa have variable gain, but in 5db steps. So if you are to hot, you can use the trim know to scale down, but if you need more gain, you have to jump up 5db and get (sometimes) a nice little pop. Variable gain on the ADC would solve this for me.

I would just get a V3 but I love the Benchmark ADC. However, with the AC issue, it might be a bit of a pain to run in the field.

The V3, by the way, also has 5dB increments with an additional 0-10dB with a smooth trim.  So a V3 wouldn't really fix that issue.

Sorry, I meant a V3 as opposed to running V2/Benchmark - ya know, slim down the rig a bit

[chris_jones]

buy a mytek.  dc powered, variable gain, and surely sounds better.

[Kyle]

buy a mytek.  dc powered, variable gain, and surely sounds better.

Yes, that seems to be the consensus - I have checked into the Mytek but if def warrants more serious research. How is the metering on the Mytek? Besides the sound, that is the one feature of the Benchmark that I love.

Thanks for all of the input guys! +T's all around

[Kyle]

buy a mytek.  dc powered, variable gain, and surely sounds better.

Yes, that seems to be the consensus - I have checked into the Mytek but if def warrants more serious research. How is the metering on the Mytek? Besides the sound, that is the one feature of the Benchmark that I love.

Thanks for all of the input guys! +T's all around

Ok, checked out the Mytek a bit more and it looks good - price is right aw well. That Benchmark is not cheap! My only hangup is that meter -

Who has used this out in the field and can calm my worries about the metering?

[chris_jones]

with what are you recording?  metering no good on your deck?

mytek is a/d only, yes.  very small.

metering isn't superb on the mytek, but that's the absolute last thing i considered when buying one.  i just wanted something smaller that didn't comprise the quality of my larger stuff.  to my surprise, the more compact alternative may actually sound better!

you won't get customer service from mytek out-of-the-box, that's for sure.  though i haven't need to pay a visit, the fact that i live around the corner from their HQ was a consideration in buying.

surely scott will chime in at some point; he's likely better qualified than i to comment as he's run it more frequently.  i have rather critical ears (i am, after all, engaged in an unwritten exclusivity agreement with DPA), and think this little mytek box smokes.

chris

[Kyle]

with what are you recording?  metering no good on your deck?

mytek is a/d only, yes.  very small.

metering isn't superb on the mytek, but that's the absolute last thing i considered when buying one.  i just wanted something smaller that didn't comprise the quality of my larger stuff.  to my surprise, the more compact alternative may actually sound better!

you won't get customer service from mytek out-of-the-box, that's for sure.  though i haven't need to pay a visit, the fact that i live around the corner from their HQ was a consideration in buying.

surely scott will chime in at some point; he's likely better qualified than i to comment as he's run it more frequently.  i have rather critical ears (i am, after all, engaged in an unwritten exclusivity agreement with DPA), and think this little mytek box smokes.

chris

I am currently running a DA-P1, so the metering there is fine. I will probably move to the MicroTracker (if it lives up to its promises) and I am not expecting the metering on that unit to be as precise as I would like. I agree, sound is key and first on my list. I have just grown really accustomed to the FSD meter on the Benchmark.

Thanks for the input, Chris.

Kyle

[muj]

mr.atticus is hired for the customer support work for mytek.Let's give him a warm hand!

[atticus]

mr.atticus is hired for the customer support work for mytek.Let's give him a warm hand!

LOl, thanks    I don't know how many of you know this but I actually used to work for Benchmark and played a small role in the conception of the ADC1 as well, but I'm sure much has been done on it since I left. The designers there are brilliant for sure and among the kindest people I have ever known. The ADPre1 was mentioned, and I can shed a little light on that. The ADPre1 was the original concept for the ADC1. The ADC1 was at first supposed to have preamps, but the desision was made later on to make two different units. I'm sure it sounds wonderful and in some ways it had better, being priced a bit higher then competitive units. 

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

[jkoch]

the metering on the ad2k is unreal. it takes taping to a whole nother level IMO.

[Kyle]

the metering on the ad2k is unreal. it takes taping to a whole nother level IMO.

you got it!