Topic: Which soundcard for analog>24bit transfers?

[sunjan]

I might be in the market for a new soundcard that I can use for analog transfers (cassette, vinyl, radio broadcasts etc).

I guess external is the way to go for avoiding interference. I'm game for either USB or Firewire, whichever is more trouble-free and reliable. Either new or used will do.

I'm not a musician, and most likely will never use it for lappy taping, so the only features I really need is 2xRCA in, a good 24bit ADC and decent XP support that won't drive me nuts installing it.

So what models are all you guys using?
And what is the sweet point for decent enough quality but still on a budget these days?

[bugg100]

Why not the UA-5 you already have?

[sunjan]

Why not the UA-5 you already have?

Yeah, I've been trying to hook it up, but I run into endless driver issues, and the incoming signal not being recognized (see separate thread).
I haven't given up on it completely yet, but ATM I just don't have time to do the troubleshooting.

I'm still curious to hear what the rest of you guys are running, and if there's any consensus on which boxes represent good value for money.

[Brian Skalinder]

I've always used whatever pre/ADC/recorder I happen to have at the time:  UA5, V3, 722, etc.  Unfortunately, I don't have one at the moment.

For archiving old cassettes and vinyl, my father uses an Edirol UA-25 with excellent results.  He could've spent a pile of money, but he's found -- like many others -- the upstream analog gear makes a far bigger difference in sound quality.

[page]

I've always used whatever pre/ADC/recorder I happen to have at the time:  UA5, V3, 722, etc. 

One plus about the dedicated hardware is you don't have to fiddle with the software to record it, so if something crashes you don't lose anything or if you need your machine, you can do other stuff during the transfer.

I agree with Brian though, that my best transfer equipment is non-PC related.

[digifish_music]

I'm still curious to hear what the rest of you guys are running, and if there's any consensus on which boxes represent good value for money.

Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio or Gamer make excellent 24 bit recordings.

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=873&product=15855&listby=usage

Inexpensive, compatible, rock-solid ASIO drivers and good. I have never noticed (or seen) any 'interference' on these cards, I have three in various production machines. 2 * Music Xtreme and 1 * Xtreme audio.

digifish

[bgreen]

Creative's A/d isn't the best IMO.

I also use my tascam HD-p2 for transfers, but also have an m-audio 1010LT which is an ok low mid to mid range card. The tascam still does a better job IMO. I also have an (creative) EMu 1212M that is usable , but not as good in the A/D. M-audio has really nice external cards and breakouts as well if thats what you go with.

If I had to choose one card to use and $ wasn't an option, I would go something in the lynx line. Great cards from what I've heard.

http://www.lynxstudio.com/

M-audio would be the card I would look at if you don't want to drop a fortune.  Either way, make sure your RAM is maxed out if you go this route.

[Red Boink]

I use a sound devices usb pre, and love it...

Hey, I have an Echo audiofire2 that is brand new sitting on a shelf unused.  If you're interested, drop me a line and we'll see what's up.  Echo makes excellent products for the price.  I got this one as a gift at the same time I'd ordered the Sound Devices usbpre, and I fell in with the SD....

 

[digifish_music]

Creative's A/d isn't the best IMO.

What in particular don't you like about the X-Fi A/D or D/A? Indeed you need to be a little more specific as a few different chips are used throughout the range. In my experience I have nothing bad to say about the quality of the recording. Quiet, clean, natural.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/8884/17

digifish

[B-GREEN]

What in particular don't you like about the X-Fi A/D or D/A? Indeed you need to be a little more specific as a few different chips are used throughout the range. In my experience I have nothing bad to say about the quality of the recording. Quiet, clean, natural.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/8884/17

digifish

I'm not saying the card sucks, but when I compared creative, which is basically a consumer model card, to pro model cards, it is what it is. The comparisons your link shows are more or less other consumer model cards and in that field the X-fi does well. I've tried creatives cards from soundblaster to EMU and I was never as happy with them as I am m-audio and other stand alone A/d's. I think the m-audio products give a clearer, more exact representation of what I'm transferring and neither the m-audio or any model of creative will ever hold a candle to lynx, but again, this is all subjective and personal preference. I personally wouldn't have any of there product in my transfer and post production process, but thats just me. not saying your wrong, just saying I've never liked them enough to stick with them. 

[sunjan]

Hey, I have an Echo audiofire2 that is brand new sitting on a shelf unused.  If you're interested, drop me a line and we'll see what's up.  

Thanks a lot for the offer! I heard a lot of good things about Echo, but I guess you're in the US, which makes me apprehensive about shipping and taxes.
EU customs can be a b*tch sometimes
I only buy gear from stateside when I know somebody travelling there who can bring it back. So ATM it doesn't work out for me...

Talking about Creative, I do have an Audigy 4 Pro sitting on my shelf, but I always assumed it was sub-standard for analog transfers (compared to just using an Iriver for 16bit). Maybe I should give it a go???

[bgreen]

Talking about Creative, I do have an Audigy 4 Pro sitting on my shelf, but I always assumed it was sub-standard for analog transfers (compared to just using an Iriver for 16bit). Maybe I should give it a go???

It's all going to be subjective. I wouldn't use/recommend creative myself based on past experience and the research I've done, but if you already have it, put it in and try it. See what you think, and go from there.

[Scooter123]

Echo Layla is what I use.

It has XLR inputs and a headphone jack and separate headphone amp.