Topic: Which 24bit soundcard?

[NOLAfishwater]

I just bought an MTII and will be diving into 24bit recording. Was wondering if you can recommend an inexpensive 24bit sound card. I went on NewEgg and there were over 300 sound cards. Not sure which one I need. Thanks in advance for your help.

[drewloo]

One 24-bit card a lot of people use is the Chaintech AV-710, but it's no longer listed at Newegg.  I've seen it disappear from Newegg before but it came back in stock a few weeks later. 

[NOLAfishwater]

I think I might have found what I am looking. M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface 4-In-4-Out Audio Card with MIDI and Digital I-O $109

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829121120

[Jammin72]

Are you using the card for recording or are you just looking for a playback solution?

[NOLAfishwater]

99% for a playback solution. But it looks like it has 2xmidi in, 2xRCA in, and 2xSPDIF in as well in case I ever piddle around with recording.

[Gordon]

I think I might have found what I am looking. M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface 4-In-4-Out Audio Card with MIDI and Digital I-O $109

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829121120

that's what I have.  you could probably find them on ebay for cheaper

http://search.ebay.com/M-AUDIO-Audiophile-2496_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300QQsatitleZMQ2dAUDIOQ20AudiophileQ202496


great for playback.  I just built a new system and my motherboard has built in coax out 24/96 etc.  running coax to my monitor speakers but the sound sucks compared to the aduiphile.  I'm putting it in a day or two.

[NOLAfishwater]

so I would just run the RCA outs into my stereo receiver and would be able to listen to my recordings in 24bit then? Does my receiver have to be 24bit compatible or does it just amplify the signal that is coming from the CPU? So is your new motherboard with coax out going to replace your M-audio soundcard? 

[Gordon]

so I would just run the RCA outs into my stereo receiver and would be able to listen to my recordings in 24bit then? Does my receiver have to be 24bit compatible or does it just amplify the signal that is coming from the CPU?

I would run coax not rca to your receiver.  that's what I did but my old receiver would only playback 24/48 and not 24/96.  any newer one should be fine.  I was ready to buy a new on for my office but instead got these

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MA15D/


cheaper than a new receiver and the are 24/192 capable.   again your receiver may be fine.   

So is your new motherboard with coax out going to replace your M-audio soundcard?

that was my plan but I'm not that happy with the quality.  gonna put the soundcard in and use it.

[NOLAfishwater]

My only problem is that I live in a one bedroom apartment and I use my television as my monitor. All my components (digital cable, DVD, CD, Computer, and Playstation) run into my reciever which power my Bose Acoustimass speakers.  Unfortunately, there is no room for additional speakers. Next problem is I don't think my Pioneer receiver accomodates SPDIF. Glad you gave me the heads up, b/c I thought the SPDIF x2 were just for input. So one of them is for out put then? Maybe one day when I get a 2nd bedroom I can set up an actual professional workstation. Until then...

Thanks Gordon! +T for your help.

[Gordon]

in that case.  first check and see if the receiver has a coax.  most do.  then check if it is capable of 24/96 playback.  if so you are set.  oh and yes the audiophile has coax in and out.  you could use the rca but I would try not to.

[NOLAfishwater]

in that case.  first check and see if the receiver has a coax.  most do.  then check if it is capable of 24/96 playback.  if so you are set.  oh and yes the audiophile has coax in and out.  you could use the rca but I would try not to.

PIONEER VSX515S 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver
 OVERVIEW - Pioneer vsx-515 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver with Component Video Switching:

Isn’t it time you got more out of your movies, music, games, and PC? With Microsoft we co-developed a Windows Media Audio 9 (WMA-9) Professional Decoder, allowing you to listen to two-channel and multi-channel WMA compressed audio files directly from your PC in your living room! The VSX-515 is also ready for super high resolution DVD-Audio and SACD multi-channel audio discs. This powerhouse receiver delivers an equal 110 watts to six channels and features advanced surround processing, with DTS-ES, Dolby Digital-EX, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoding.

 
 Analog to Digital Conversion
 96kHz / 24-Bit
 
 
 Digital Analog Conversion (DAC)
 192kHz/24-Bit
Connectivity
 
 
 Audio (Tuner Included) / Video Input
 3 Audio / 3 Audio Video
 
 
 Audio/Video Output
 1 Audio / 1 Audio Video / 1 Video
 
 
 Digital Inputs
 3
 
 
 Optical In
 1
 
 
Coaxial In
 2
 
 
 Multi-Channel Input
 Yes
 

 

 

[Gordon]

you should be all set then 

[Church-Audio]

so I would just run the RCA outs into my stereo receiver and would be able to listen to my recordings in 24bit then? Does my receiver have to be 24bit compatible or does it just amplify the signal that is coming from the CPU? So is your new motherboard with coax out going to replace your M-audio soundcard? 

Checkout the Audiophile 192 I love mine and its a great dependable card. With plenty of  inputs and outputs and its set up to do recording. I use this card to make all of my measurements with its got a very good noise floor -120db! and its got flat frequency response 15hz to 90khz. but more importantly it sounds great. It also has spdif in and out.

Chris

[John Kary]

Some might gawk at me for this but I use a SoundBlaster Audigy 1 Platinum with the kX Audio Drivers that remove the veil from the SB-branded drivers.  It plays back 24-bit/96k, but has an internal SRC that samples everything to 48k on output (or so I've read.)  I've contemplated the Audiophile 2496, but haven't found a real reason to make the jump yet.  If anybody has an opinion that could sway my decision I'm all ears 

[NOLAfishwater]

so I would just run the RCA outs into my stereo receiver and would be able to listen to my recordings in 24bit then? Does my receiver have to be 24bit compatible or does it just amplify the signal that is coming from the CPU? So is your new motherboard with coax out going to replace your M-audio soundcard? 

Checkout the Audiophile 192 I love mine and its a great dependable card. With plenty of  inputs and outputs and its set up to do recording. I use this card to make all of my measurements with its got a very good noise floor -120db! and its got flat frequency response 15hz to 90khz. but more importantly it sounds great. It also has spdif in and out.

Chris

I think for my needs the lesser price is just fine, as the V3 I own is only rated up to 24/96. Don't plan on recording, mainly just using it for playback, but it is nice to know that I can run SPDIF or RCA in. Plus, I have an Alesis 8channel USB mixer that I can use if I need to record. Thanks for the heads up Chris.