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Advice Needed: Audio Interface <$250
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Old 5th March 2010   #1
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Exclamation Advice Needed: Audio Interface <$250

Hi Forum!
I'm in doubt which Audio Interface best fits to my needs, I was researching here and found Echo AudioFire 2 and Focusrite Saffire 6 seem quite interesting.


Main requirements to me:
  • Software Ill be using: Ableton Live, Cubase and Traktor
  • Good audio quality, of course is very important
  • Audio input and Mic input in isn't so important since Ill not be using external hardware to make sounds.
  • Ill be using my headphones Denon AH-D1001 (32ohm) for monitoring instead speakers, so its important that the device output have enough power to run it quite loud.
  • Ill be using Windows
So, anyone experienced using these interfaces or have another recommendation of an interface at this price range?

Heeeeeeellp!

Thank you very much!


Saffire 6 Saffire 6 USB Audio Interfaces

AudioFire 2 Echo Digital Audio Corporation
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Old 6th March 2010   #2
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I just recently told a friend, that Echo Digital makes the best firewire interface devices under a grand($). The next step up is RME, I like the sound quality and drivers. Echo is the best FW product on the low-end of the price range, with drivers that are exceptionally stable and reliable. Talk to War here on the forum, he can give you a better sense of what will fill your needs.

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Old 6th March 2010   #3
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Thank you for your advice. I also would like to know if my Headphones will sound loud with this card and if I won't have latency problems using some VSTi.

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Old 6th March 2010   #4
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H.E.L.P
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Old 6th March 2010   #5
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Echo Audiofire 2 and 4 experiences

you gotta take the dive in get one, i outta those two i would pull the echo
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Old 6th March 2010   #6
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Question

Hehe, nice Quote.

Actually what I really would like to know before buy is if the Echo AudioFire 2 Headphones output have enough power to sound loud my Headphones.

Denon AH-D1001
-Input impedance: 32 ohms
-Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW
-Maximum input: 1,300 mW


Thank you very much once again!
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Old 6th March 2010   #7
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I have had an AF4 for almost 2 years now. It is a tough little bugger and
has served well at home in the project room and at live events for
tracking 2buss.

Being that you can get the AF4 for 299 on Ebay(new), I would not settle
for the AF2 with no pres. They aren't great but they are certainly useable
and you never know what your need may be in the future. In fact, i
frequently track 2 buss from mixers on the front loaded pres as I prefer to
have a hardware gain adjustment. I haven't had any problems or sound
degredation.

On the headphones, I use 2 different cheap pairs, both of which were
purchased at Radio Shack. I didn't buy them for studio use... one we
already had and the other were meant for our video package. In either
case, you have to crank it up quite a bit but I have certainly gotten
plenty of volume.

If I remember correctly, it dosn't get annoyingly hissy until the very end of
the adjusment.

Hope that helps,
Rob
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Old 6th March 2010   #8
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32 Ohms should be easily drivable by just about any headphone amp. That is pretty common.

Especially with 103 sensitivity... yeah no problem.

It is the 96 Ohm ones you have to worry about volume problems. And even then if you can't get them loud enough... you should be worried about your hearing.
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Old 7th March 2010   #9
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Talking

That's what I wanted to read.

Ill go for it! Thanks for the help.


Quote:
Originally Posted by aortizjr View Post
32 Ohms should be easily drivable by just about any headphone amp. That is pretty common.

Especially with 103 sensitivity... yeah no problem.

It is the 96 Ohm ones you have to worry about volume problems. And even then if you can't get them loud enough... you should be worried about your hearing.
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