Topic: [DD] ADC Comparison - Edirol R-09 & R-09HR

[bgalizio]

In my opinion, they are very close, and both very capable devices for line-in recording. But, I give the edge to "B," as I find the bass response to be tighter and fuller.

*********SPOILER ALERT*********

Now, for the big reveal...
























































A = R-09
B = R-09HR

I was very happy to hear the low end differences between the two recorders, as I've always thought the R-09 sounded a little light in the low end. I would be very happy with either recorder, though you'll see my R-09 up for sale after next week's vacation (unless someone here wants it right now).

[GregDunn]

Excellent - I can hear a little difference and it's in the "right" direction.  Makes me feel very good about my choice of hardware.

[TheImplodingVoice]

Thank you very much for the tests. It would be very helpful to hear the original track clips off the CDs. Then, we could hear how the R-09 and R-09HR altered the original sound of the track. For example, the R-09HR may slightly exaggerate the low end, or maybe it is true that the R-09 thins out the low end.

[TheImplodingVoice]

Here is a link to the MP3 of the original Nickel Creek track from the CD:
http://www.TomJRoach.com/MP3s/Nickel_Creek_&_Allison_Krauss-The_Lighthouse's_Tale.mp3

I adjusted the volume of the above MP3 to match the sound levels of the R-09 samples. The CD track is louder.
Keep in mind, the D/A converter in the signal path to the R-09 and R-09HR recorders plays a role, but this MP3 should give a good indication of what the R-09 and R-09HR recorders do to the signals.

[bgalizio]

Here is a link to the MP3 of the original Nickel Creek track from the CD:
http://www.TomJRoach.com/MP3s/Nickel_Creek_&_Allison_Krauss-The_Lighthouse's_Tale.mp3

I adjusted the volume of the above MP3 to match the sound levels of the R-09 samples. The CD track is louder.
Keep in mind, the D/A converter in the signal path to the R-09 and R-09HR recorders plays a role, but this MP3 should give a good indication of what the R-09 and R-09HR recorders do to the signals.

Well, also keep in mind the following:

1. I was using the "hi-resolution" versions of these albums (DVD-A for the GD disc, SACD for the NC disc).

2. Running analog out of my DVD player means its DAC plays a role.

3. The mp3 encoding of the sample posted will undoubtedly alter the sound.

When I play these files back compared to the original discs, the R-09HR sounds ever so slightly closer to the original source. The difference is in the low end. YMMV, of course.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Late comment on this thread...

I have always wondered about the sound quality of trim 8 vs. say 10 or 12 on the r09.  In my testing I heard some distortion at 7, but not 8.  Since I wanted as much as hot signal handling as possible, I always ran at 8.. But I wondered if a higher setting would actually sound better.  That is something I think deserves more testing on all of the recorders we use - a comp where a recorder like the r09hr is tested at 35 and 40, with the 40 results raised in post to match the gain.  Or 0 vs. -6 on the 7xx.

Given how much we spend, and how much effort we put into our recordings, details like this can be hugely important.  The difference between 7 and 8 on the r09 is a big deal, but without testing you'd never know.

[Gutbucket]

^^^
Truth.

I run the R-09s at 8 if I have to, but prefer being in the 9-15 zone just to be safe.  But that's going on gut-level instinct, not based on listening tests.