Page 1 of 2

High End Format converter options

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:56 pm
by Anukis
HI again. I'm in the process of buying a format converter for my O. Currently I'm using a fireface, but I'm looking for something better. Is anyone familiar with benchmark Dac-1, Adc-1? I'm looking at this or Apogee. Maybe Rosetta or Bigben. Just looking for something with very clean accurate signal with accurate stereo width.
On gearslutz they say the Bigben is very good for stereo width. I understand its a never ending story with high end because you have lavry blue's lynx aurora's, cranesong etc, but in my price range the Benchmark and Apogee gear looks good. If there is anyone that has or knows more about this, please let me know.
Its just for live and studio but more so live. I'll probably dedicate this unit just for the O so it will only have one job and I have a couple of Roland M1000's and the fireface for the rest.
Thanks

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:22 pm
by Sina172
...

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:22 pm
by przemm
Hi Anukis,
First of all, Apogee Big Ben is not a AD or DA converter, but a digital clock used to synchronize digital devices.

If you are looking for something only for the Oasys, I would look into ADAT option - you can (or could) buy ADAT board for the Oasys and buy an ADAT interface, eg. RME Digiface - you will get no AD conversion, which mean absolutely no impact on the beautiful sound of your Oasys.
I use Apogee AD/DA16x and I am very happy - I wouldn't call Apogee sound clean - it slightly colors the sound, but I really like what it does. If you insist on high-end, mobile audio AD/DA conversion - look into Prism Orpheus or Metric Halo ULN-8 (if you are on Mac) - you can't get better that that.

Bear in mind though, that you will have a problem if you want to connect more than one interface to one computer - on Windows it is impossible on Mac you can use the aggregation function but I find it not reliable. Anyway, think what you REALLY need now, but also take into consideration your future needs.

Re: High End Format converter options

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:33 pm
by przemm
RME sounds WAY better than Apogee in EVERY possible way I could think of.
That's an overstatement - to my experience RME coverters (even their high end ADI line) are nowhere near to Apogee Rosetta, not to mention AD/DA16x.

And just to show you how much MORE Apogee is, look at the Duet. 2 Channels, Firewire for $500?! Are you kidding me?!
Now look at the MOTU Ultralite. TONS more I/O, WAY better sounding and a FAR better interface for the SAME price!

Apogee Duet is a steal for the price - I use it with my mobile rig. I would choose it any time over MOTU.

As you see, opinions on converters (or any other gear) vary:-).

Re: High End Format converter options

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:34 pm
by przemm
RME sounds WAY better than Apogee in EVERY possible way I could think of.
That's an overstatement - to my experience RME coverters (even their high end ADI line) are nowhere near to Apogee Rosetta, not to mention AD/DA16x.

And just to show you how much MORE Apogee is, look at the Duet. 2 Channels, Firewire for $500?! Are you kidding me?!
Now look at the MOTU Ultralite. TONS more I/O, WAY better sounding and a FAR better interface for the SAME price!

Apogee Duet is a steal for the price - I use it with my mobile rig. I would choose it any time over MOTU.

As you see, opinions on converters (or any other gear) vary:-).

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:41 pm
by Sina172
...

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:56 pm
by przemm
Sina, I don't get it - Grace devices you talk about are monitor controllers - not interfaces. Anyway, putting Grace and Fireface together, for me it makes really no sense - functionally or sound wise. Do you use Grace as a AD converter, then digitally to RME and DAW, and then back to Grace? If yes, you have got very limited I/Os - useless in a real world situation or you use a mixer and run the sum through Grace.

Anyway, I would really recommend to get Prism Orpheus or MH - all is there pristine conversion, great monitoring and many other functions.

Re: High End Format converter options

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:49 pm
by danatkorg
Anukis wrote: Its just for live and studio but more so live.
I can't imagine that any difference would be noticeable in a live setting.

- Dan

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:32 am
by Sina172
...

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:19 am
by Charlie
If it is mainly for live and/or Oasys exclusively and you're looking for a good sounding audio-interface I'd recomend Apogee Duett. Should be more than good enough. I'm very happy with mine: it does its job without any problems, is comparatively cheap and contains the high-quality converters of the top-class = great sound! 8)

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:33 pm
by Anukis
hi everyone thank you all for the replies. I'm looking at this m904 right now. Looks pretty good. What I meant for live was just running the oasys digital out instead of analog. To me I can hear the difference but when plugged into a PA, I dont know. Its more so studio as well but live, even if it makes a hint of difference it would make me happy. Sina thanks for the info I might just get one of these. I have a fireface 800.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:41 pm
by Anukis
Hi again. I've done a lot of research and I don;t know wht to look for really. The prusm orpheus is great but very expensive. I was looking for a stand alone converter if pssible not so much an audio interface. I think the orpheus is more an interface. I'm not in a rush to buy, so i'll keep reserching.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:18 pm
by Sina172
...

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:06 pm
by UCanDream
Hey, Sina172.

In your posted replies you continue to use the expression "IMO", meaning, 'In my opinion.' However, aren't you the same clown that has the opinion that you own something like 6-7 dozen Korg Tritons...mostly Extremes? Aren't you of the opinion that your Oasys was stolen and you then launched a campaign of vicious profanity and death threats to the supposed thief? Aren't you also of the opinion that after scores and scores of posts on this forum and others that you owed it to all of us a statement acknowledging your reacquisition of your beloved Oasys...yet failed to do so? Aren't you also of the opinion that as of a few weeks ago you were going to be buying many more Korg O's?

Do you see where I am going, Sina? Your opinion has nothing to do with reality, truth, or anything dignified, useful or even helpful. Nor does it contain any value....IMO. Your opinion is as good as your word....

....."useless"


Regards.
UCD

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:51 pm
by Anukis
HI everyone once again thankyou for all your advice. I don't want to start a war or annoy anyone so I'll do my research and see what happens. Thank you all for the help. Its hard in Oz to test all these because no one has these in stock and never on demo. You have to just pick one out of thin air and pray its what you want.