FOCUSRITE ISA ONE - A/D degradation

[moonK]

thanks in advanced.

I have some confusion in regards to-- how do i describe this.. possibly cannibalizing/compromising sound quality.

I'm guilty of being cheap when it comes to audio devices, i currently use a motu ultralite mk3 > imac > daw

If i use the AES/EBU outputs to my MOTU, wouldn't the sound quality suffer degradation? if this holds true, it'll give me more reason to upgrade my audio interface.

from what i've been reading i've been convinced to believe the iSA ONEs A/D is quite good (yay). I'm just confused with some of the comments made such as getting good results by connecting the output to a lower model eg; m-audio interface.

it all just seems backwards to me. I imagine i would at least be needing something similar to apogee.

moon

[moonK]

bump.
thx.

[d.dot]

If I understand your Q... If you use the digital out from the focusrite there should be no signal degradation. You are bypassing the A/D converters of the motu. Your signal is already 1's and 0's when it gets to your interface.

[Arthur Stone]

I use a Sound Devices 702 as a analogue-to-digital converter (i.e. analogue mic pre/line converted to a digital signal); then I send the digital signal (via S/DIF cable) to a Focusrite Saffire Pro24DSP - this sends the digital signal (via Firewire cable) to my computer.

I get the conversion quality of the Sound Devices 702 into my DAW with the Pro24 as an intermediary and not affecting signal quality (for my purposes at least). This also frees up 2 inputs on the Focusrite which is a decent interface in itself.

So if you have a preamp/converter with the right digital connection you can use the Motu as an intermediary device without it affecting the quality of the preamp and conversion.

[moonK]

Originally Posted by d.dot

If I understand your Q... If you use the digital out from the focusrite there should be no signal degradation. You are bypassing the A/D converters of the motu. Your signal is already 1's and 0's when it gets to your interface.

I didn't know bypassing was logical in this situation, great i think that answers my question

sorry for the lack of clarity.

and thank you

[moonK]

Originally Posted by Arthur Stone

I use a Sound Devices 702 as a analogue-to-digital converter (i.e. analogue mic pre/line converted to a digital signal); then I send the digital signal (via S/DIF cable) to a Focusrite Saffire Pro24DSP - this sends the digital signal (via Firewire cable) to my computer.

I get the conversion quality of the Sound Devices 702 into my DAW with the Pro24 as an intermediary and not affecting signal quality (for my purposes at least). This also frees up 2 inputs on the Focusrite which is a decent interface in itself.

So if you have a preamp/converter with the right digital connection you can use the Motu as an intermediary device without it affecting the quality of the preamp and conversion.

this is great, thank you. I can't imagine getting instant answers like these 15+ years ago. man things have changed. (don't let my picture fool you, i'm 32)

you guys rockerz.

[Arthur Stone]

You're welcome dude; as The Streets say: "Let's Push Things Forward."

Using S/PDIF was a good move for me...the signal quality is great.

FWIW the Isa One looks like a nice flexible unit...although I've never used or heard one; I went for a BAE1073mpf in the end but the Isa One was 2nd on my list. I liked the different impedance, routing options and the signal path.

[moonK]

Originally Posted by Arthur Stone

You're welcome dude; as The Streets say: "Let's Push Things Forward."

Using S/PDIF was a good move for me...the signal quality is great.

FWIW the Isa One looks like a nice flexible unit...although I've never used or heard one; I went for a BAE1073mpf in the end but the Isa One was 2nd on my list. I liked the different impedance, routing options and the signal path.

haha i was looking at that one too-- i havent heard demos but reviews said it has a 'larger than life' sound which sounded nice.

the other ones i was looking at were the chandler limited germanium and the api lunchbox.

I probably will try to get a hold of all of those in the next year or so assuming i could afford

yeah the impedance button was a big woo hoo for me

cheers
moon