Benchmark DAC+ADC vs. RME ADI-8 DS (sound clips)

Lagerfeldt · 1st June 2006

Ignore the mix and mastering, and try focusing on the sound, stereo width, details, etc.

A very difficult and subjective test since I had to choose which converter to use as reference when making the actual mastering. I chose the Benchmark, which may put the RME at an unfair disadvantage.

I simply can't say if the Benchmark is the one with the open top and great stereo image, and the RME is the muddy and narrow one ... OR if the RME is warm and nice and the Benchmark is totally hyped in the top freqs and thus resulting wide stereo image. I'm leaning towards the Benchmark though as I find has more details and a smoother bottom.

Anyway, have a listen although I'm not entirely sure this is very scientific.

Both tests were done with each units DAC/ADC and each being master clock, slaving the sound card via W/C. So no interference or sync problems at all.

http://www.onlinemastering.dk/temp/B...k_RME_Test.zip

100 Mb fast download from my server. Contains two 24 bits 44.1kHz WAV files, do an A/B in your DAW or whatever method you prefer.

Lagerfeldt · 1st June 2006

Probably should be moved to the mastering forum.

salvator · 2nd June 2006

Hi,

I prefered the benchmark 10 times out of 10. More space and texture (3D), better definition and less smeared.
To be sure the difference don't comes from a "better suited flavor", I took you song, and ran a DAD loop thru my TC 6000 converter and thru a fireface 800 (similar to ADI DS).
The result were about the same (Glad I have the TC !

)

I'd say the difference mostly comes out from the analog stages that are not stellar in the RME, and this make a more congestioned sound.

Cool work overall !

Salvator

cramseur · 2nd June 2006

Funny, I heard more of a difference when I played both clips through Winamp. Then I loaded them into SONAR, and played them through there, and there was still a difference, but not as great...

Either way the Benchmark sounded more spacious and open, and had a better freq response overall. Too bad for me...I have a FF800!

T.RayBullard · 2nd June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Probably should be moved to the mastering forum.

Why mastering forum/?? Those products arent just for mastering...dont deprive those who dont visit the mastering forum of these samples.

HockeyMike · 10th October 2006

I would very much like to hear this comparison, since I'm considering an ADI-8, but the link is dead...does anyone have the file available? Thanks!

artnoiser · 11th October 2006

Same here. Thanks!

1st June 2006	#1
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,770 Thread Starter	Benchmark DAC+ADC vs. RME ADI-8 DS (sound clips) Ignore the mix and mastering, and try focusing on the sound, stereo width, details, etc. A very difficult and subjective test since I had to choose which converter to use as reference when making the actual mastering. I chose the Benchmark, which may put the RME at an unfair disadvantage. I simply can't say if the Benchmark is the one with the open top and great stereo image, and the RME is the muddy and narrow one ... OR if the RME is warm and nice and the Benchmark is totally hyped in the top freqs and thus resulting wide stereo image. I'm leaning towards the Benchmark though as I find has more details and a smoother bottom. Anyway, have a listen although I'm not entirely sure this is very scientific. Both tests were done with each units DAC/ADC and each being master clock, slaving the sound card via W/C. So no interference or sync problems at all. http://www.onlinemastering.dk/temp/B...k_RME_Test.zip 100 Mb fast download from my server. Contains two 24 bits 44.1kHz WAV files, do an A/B in your DAW or whatever method you prefer. __________________ Professional geek Online Mastering - At the moment: Mastering Christopher (EMI) · Mixing Michalis (Universal)

2nd June 2006	#3
salvator Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Paris, France Posts: 234	Hi, I prefered the benchmark 10 times out of 10. More space and texture (3D), better definition and less smeared. To be sure the difference don't comes from a "better suited flavor", I took you song, and ran a DAD loop thru my TC 6000 converter and thru a fireface 800 (similar to ADI DS). The result were about the same (Glad I have the TC ! ) I'd say the difference mostly comes out from the analog stages that are not stellar in the RME, and this make a more congestioned sound. Cool work overall ! Salvator __________________ TRITONE DIGITAL Plugins with hardware's sound www.tritonedigital.com

2nd June 2006	#4
cramseur Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Cedarhurst, NY USA Posts: 1,144	Funny, I heard more of a difference when I played both clips through Winamp. Then I loaded them into SONAR, and played them through there, and there was still a difference, but not as great... Either way the Benchmark sounded more spacious and open, and had a better freq response overall. Too bad for me...I have a FF800! __________________ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "I am the source." - The Real MC Powerman has spoken!

10th October 2006	#6
HockeyMike Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 172	I would very much like to hear this comparison, since I'm considering an ADI-8, but the link is dead...does anyone have the file available? Thanks! __________________ Michael Nowak Saga Recording myspace.com/sagarecording

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11th October 2006	#7
artnoiser Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2002 Location: +-4 GMT Posts: 189	Same here. Thanks!

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