k brown
Well-known member
Bought one of these cheap on eBay out of curiosity because some low end M-Audio stuff has surprised me before.
(Before I go any further, I've not assessed it as an interface; just as a standalone pre/AD.)
The quality of the preamps really surprised me, as unlike the DMP3, Duo, and ProFire, these are not built around INA163 or THAT1510, but rather low-power op amps (NJM2115). In my cursory exam of the board (I didn't exhaustively trace out the circuit), it looks like it's three dual opamps configured as a stereo pair of instrumentation amps. I assume they did this because the thing can be powered by USB, and the INA/THATs can't run at that low voltage. The DC jack is 9v, so may have more headroom powered that way.
The pres are noticeably cleaner than those in the Tascam DR-70D.
The AD converter also sounds quite nice. The final Pre/AD output of the thing is much closer to the THAT1510-based ProFire 610 than I would have expected. And this in a very compact, lightweight (less than 1lb, 4oz.) box that can be battery powered.
About the only buzz on the web about the pres is a lot of complaining about them not having enough gain (~40dB), and being noisy when cranked up. Probably an issue with dynamic mics, but not a problem with condensers.
A feature I've seen on very few small, affordable interfaces is a pair of insert jacks between the pres and the converter. Of no interest to me for the intended purpose, but very cool to be able plug the pres directly into another piece of gear; the way I'll likely be using it most (adding two addt'nl pres to another interface).
Also, unlike many small interfaces, in standalone the line outs are from the preamps, not via DA converters. M-Audio also does this with the Duo and the ProFire 610.
It's biggest drawback is that in standalone (for some odd reason) the SPDIF out will only do 44.1; as an interface, up to 96.
(Before I go any further, I've not assessed it as an interface; just as a standalone pre/AD.)
The quality of the preamps really surprised me, as unlike the DMP3, Duo, and ProFire, these are not built around INA163 or THAT1510, but rather low-power op amps (NJM2115). In my cursory exam of the board (I didn't exhaustively trace out the circuit), it looks like it's three dual opamps configured as a stereo pair of instrumentation amps. I assume they did this because the thing can be powered by USB, and the INA/THATs can't run at that low voltage. The DC jack is 9v, so may have more headroom powered that way.
The pres are noticeably cleaner than those in the Tascam DR-70D.
The AD converter also sounds quite nice. The final Pre/AD output of the thing is much closer to the THAT1510-based ProFire 610 than I would have expected. And this in a very compact, lightweight (less than 1lb, 4oz.) box that can be battery powered.
About the only buzz on the web about the pres is a lot of complaining about them not having enough gain (~40dB), and being noisy when cranked up. Probably an issue with dynamic mics, but not a problem with condensers.
A feature I've seen on very few small, affordable interfaces is a pair of insert jacks between the pres and the converter. Of no interest to me for the intended purpose, but very cool to be able plug the pres directly into another piece of gear; the way I'll likely be using it most (adding two addt'nl pres to another interface).
Also, unlike many small interfaces, in standalone the line outs are from the preamps, not via DA converters. M-Audio also does this with the Duo and the ProFire 610.
It's biggest drawback is that in standalone (for some odd reason) the SPDIF out will only do 44.1; as an interface, up to 96.
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