Which audio converter with Sonic Core 3 DSP card?

[CreamWare4Ever]

Hello,

I have a dilemma. As I need more input channels to my Sonic Core 3 DSP card, obviously I need to buy some kind of AD/DA converter. As I have a bit limited budget, because I want to buy a new Intel Core i7 processor, I'm wondering if I can chose someone else converter beside Sonic Cores A16?

For example, will it work if if I connect Behringer ADA-8000 Ultragain Pro, PreSonus Digimax D8 or Focusrite Octopre LE for example?

I would gladly spend a 1000 EUR on Sonic Core original A16, but that is above my budget for now. The question is: Is it possible to find anything else that sounds as Sonic Core original A16 but for app. 300 EUR? Or a bit more?

Thanks.

[Throttler]

Really depends on the production level you want. I've heard good comments for all of the above converters you mention. Especially for Behringer some people have made comparisons to some many times more expensive convs.

[CreamWare4Ever]

Really depends on the production level you want. I've heard good comments for all of the above converters you mention. Especially for Behringer some people have made comparisons to some many times more expensive convs.

Well I don't want signal that is lower quality than Sonic Core 3 DSP card on board 2 inputs which I have been using until now. It is important that all frequency ranges gets recorded without harmonically or other distortion. Now the question is how big 'gap' in sound quality it is between Sonic Cores A16 and those others converters that I described.

I guess I need a Z-Link too? I mean regarding ADAT connection.

[alfonso]

Really depends on the production level you want. I've heard good comments for all of the above converters you mention. Especially for Behringer some people have made comparisons to some many times more expensive convs.

Well I don't want signal that is lower quality than Sonic Core 3 DSP card on board 2 inputs which I have been using until now. It is important that all frequency ranges gets recorded without harmonically or other distortion. Now the question is how big 'gap' in sound quality it is between Sonic Cores A16 and those others converters that I described.

I guess I need a Z-Link too? I mean regarding ADAT connection.

Scope home itself only has z link for multi channel digital connection, but there is also an expansion for your card with ADAT I/O's and another z link that costs 198 €....if you want to use non SC converters you need it.

[CreamWare4Ever]

Scope home itself only has z link for multi channel digital connection, but there is also an expansion for your card with ADAT I/O's and another z link that costs 198 €....if you want to use non SC converters you need it.

So you mean if I want to use Behringer ADA-8000 Ultragain Pro it will cost me additional 198 €? Regardless if it have ADAT or not? Then maybe it is better to save a bit and buy SC original

[astroman]

well, it shouldn't be too difficult to get a so-called Luna IO Box (sellout stock or eBay)
gives you 8 channels with the same converters as Scope Home onboard.

cheers, Tom

[igge1]

So you mean if I want to use Behringer ADA-8000 Ultragain Pro it will cost me additional 198 €? Regardless if it have ADAT or not? Then maybe it is better to save a bit and buy SC original

The ADA-8000 has ADAT in/out, and considering that each of the mic/line inputs has its own individual gain adjustment (something the Luna 2496 and the A16 don't have) it's well worth the price. Even if you have to pay extra for the Luna ADAT I/O.

[dawman]

See if GaryB still has the Creamware A8. It is used but the same as the others in terms of audio quality.

[garyb]

Well I don't want signal that is lower quality than Sonic Core 3 DSP card on board 2 inputs which I have been using until now. It is important that all frequency ranges gets recorded without harmonically or other distortion. Now the question is how big 'gap' in sound quality it is between Sonic Cores A16 and those others converters that I described.

I guess I need a Z-Link too? I mean regarding ADAT connection.

if you have adat ports, you don't need z-link.

the A16 is quite a bit better than the other low cost ad/da boxes available.

[the19thbear]

or you could get a cheap second hand pulsar1. it has 2x adat in/out along with spdif, midi, analog in/out.
I have that setup, and then a ada8000 which is dang cheap!!
I have read comments from VERY audiophile people saying that there is almost no difference in the ada8000 and WAY more expensive units!! beware of the mic pre's though... they are pretty crappy, but you can bypass them because it has line in as well..

[CreamWare4Ever]

Well I don't want signal that is lower quality than Sonic Core 3 DSP card on board 2 inputs which I have been using until now. It is important that all frequency ranges gets recorded without harmonically or other distortion. Now the question is how big 'gap' in sound quality it is between Sonic Cores A16 and those others converters that I described.

I guess I need a Z-Link too? I mean regarding ADAT connection.

if you have adat ports, you don't need z-link.

the A16 is quite a bit better than the other low cost ad/da boxes available.

Yes, I suppose that it is better because it is quite more expensive, almost 5 times than Behringer. But I'm wondering, can I get some use of those I/O Expansions for Power-Booster? For example Classic I/O plate with 20 ins and outs?

[the19thbear]

it is of course up to you, but i say: buy a behringer, and use what you saved+save up some more and spend your money on decent mics'/pre's instead. A converter will not make or breake your music. bad mics/pre's will , imo.
i know people who only bought more expensive converters because their clients didnt like knowing that their sound was going through behringer stuff.. the engineers on the other hand, liked the behringer!

[Mike Goodwin]

I can vouch first hand that the presonus converters are very good for the price. IMHO they are more accurate than the converters on my Pulsar2.

[CreamWare4Ever]

I can vouch first hand that the presonus converters are very good for the price. IMHO they are more accurate than the converters on my Pulsar2.

Do Presonus have any model without (or with less) input gains knobs? I want to be able to recall all I/O settings from software. That is why I like Sonic Core A16, but that is above my budget for now.

[astroman]

you cannot remote control the gain stage of a(ny) A16 by software.
You just select 1 of 2 ranges (of signal level) and then the converter does it's job.
Don't touch the dials of the Presonus and it's 100% identical

cheers, Tom

[kyunghwee]

I've got an A16 Ultra via Z-Link & a DIGIMAX FS via lightpipe.
I must say the quality of PreSonus mic preamp on this unit is pretty good especially considering its cost. Since A16 is not a preamp, I went with DIGIMAX FS for recording mics and guitars, etc. and so far I am very happy with the outcome.
As for AD/DA, I have yet to see something that comes remotely close to A16 Ultra at the price range...especially considering that it gives you staggering 16 ins and outs in 1U space!

Over at Harmony Central, Craig Anderton did a wonderful review of DIGIMAX FS while ago and he also is a Sonic Core user...part of the review he does go over DIGIMAX FS + Sonic Core DSP card system. It's nice to know how well different hardware works together before you invest.

[Throttler]

indeed presonus regarding preamps and a/d d/a has a very good value for money, definitely worth the money.
as far as ada8000, you DEFINITELY have to read this

Lynx Aurora 16 vs Behringer ADA8000

[CreamWare4Ever]

I've got an A16 Ultra via Z-Link & a DIGIMAX FS via lightpipe.
I must say the quality of PreSonus mic preamp on this unit is pretty good especially considering its cost. Since A16 is not a preamp, I went with DIGIMAX FS for recording mics and guitars, etc. and so far I am very happy with the outcome.
As for AD/DA, I have yet to see something that comes remotely close to A16 Ultra at the price range...especially considering that it gives you staggering 16 ins and outs in 1U space!

Over at Harmony Central, Craig Anderton did a wonderful review of DIGIMAX FS while ago and he also is a Sonic Core user...part of the review he does go over DIGIMAX FS + Sonic Core DSP card system. It's nice to know how well different hardware works together before you invest.

1+

[astroman]

Behringer is a complete no go as it's based on exploiting other's designs only
probably more funds go into their legal department than into (if any at all) R&D

cheers, Tom

[CreamWare4Ever]

indeed presonus regarding preamps and a/d d/a has a very good value for money, definitely worth the money.
as far as ada8000, you DEFINITELY have to read this

Lynx Aurora 16 vs Behringer ADA8000

Very interesting reading. I will go for ADA8000 definitely. Since I haven't heard that anyone has been kicked from UK Top 40 chart because of wrong AD/DA choice (yet...)