WTB: Digimax FS vs Digimax LT

[tobeno]

Firstly, do both these units have the same quality pres? I would be using this with my 002r.

The FS will run at 96k, limited at 4 chan through adat, and 4 using the analog outs on the FS into the analog ins of the 002.

vs.

Just the digimax lt running at 48, with the ability to add more pres.

Would the 96k (prolly run at 88.1 anyway) really make that big of a difference? especially with the converters on the 002...
I'm doing mostly rock recordings, all this nyquist theory business is making me skeptical.

[Snatchman]

Hummmm....I wonder about this also. I have the LT and I'm "skeptical" about the pre-amps in the FS. I've not heard it yet but....Just considering that the FS cost is less than what I paid for my LT some years ago ( I know technolgy has gotten better, cheaper etc.),but the FS has a lot more features, has omitted some features. They added DA converters,"true" analog outputs, "better clock"(?), higher sample rate, etc........ cheaper! So...I'm just wondering where they "cut corners"... ....BTW..I like my Digi-Max LT...

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by Snatchman

Hummmm....I wonder about this also. I have the LT and I'm "skeptical" about the pre-amps in the FS. I've not heard it yet but....Just considering that the FS cost is less than what I paid for my LT some years ago ( I know technolgy has gotten better, cheaper etc.),but the FS has a lot more features, has omitted some features. They added DA converters,"true" analog outputs, "better clock"(?), higher sample rate, etc........ cheaper! So...I'm just wondering where they "cut corners"... ....BTW..I like my Digi-Max LT...

Agreed. I was looking to upgrade my LT a while back, but have been using it more lately and really liking the sounds I get from it (primarily drums and bass) in my compact mobile rig.

For $599 on the Digimax FS they *had* to cut corners somewhere...didn't they?

[tobeno]

Corners cut: Two buttons control phantom power (1-4) and (5-8)

No db pads....

I'm skeptical tho... I've got a digimax lt now and seems fine but i'd like the anolog outs.

[ricknaqvi]

I hope I can give some insight in how we got the Digimax FS to it's pricepoint.

1. The LT has 8 individual 48v phantom switches where as the FS has two buttons.
2. The LT has -20dB pad for every channel. The FS has a potentiometer with a wider taper so that it eliminated the need for a pad.
3. The LT has an internal powersupply. The FS has a line lump. (BTW, this has also helped the signal to noise ratio by several dB by getting the output transformer away from the input circuitry.)
4. The LT has a thick milled aluminum faceplate and a big red power button whereas the FS is a lot simpler. (Purely cosmetic but it costs money)
5. We were able to add features like D/A converters, direct outputs that are really great. The tradeoff is that the inputs are on the front of the FS whereas the LT has inputs on the back. Some people love the inputs on the front, others don't.
6. Some other new features like the 75ohm terminator switch for the BNC, SMUX, and having direct outputs PLUS inserts are just features that came from customer feedback. The new low jitter clock is what our whole new line of products will be based around. These were features that were not necessarily a whole lot more to add but are the latest generation features that we wanted to include.

BTW, the Digimax LT is not being discontinued. I had a few people ask if the LT was going away.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to post, email or PM if you have any specific questions.

[halfguard]

thanx for the help rick. im considering the digimax fs because i need more inputs for my 002rack. mainly for keybaord and drum machines, so basically, which sounds better? the fs or the lt...............??????

[Snatchman]

Hey ...thanks for the insight Rick. I'm not mad with you all ( Presonus) for making a "cheaper" version if, it sounds good.!....You all ever think about building a good "stand alone clock" for cheap?.. or.... a clock upgrade for our existing Digimax's.... .................

[tobeno]

Preamp sound quality alone.... forgetting about features, etc. Say you track both the LT and the FS at 44.1, quality alone, which are the better of the two? the specs seem to be similar if not the same...

first hand experience anyone?

[ricknaqvi]

I think the preamp tonality is extremely similar on both the FS and the LT. Mainly the difference to me is ergonomics (inputs on the front or back) and if you need the D/A converters. However, I will say that I could hear an audible difference with the new clock even though the converters are the same. But unfortunately judging a preamp is really subjective so I don't expect every body to have the same opinion as myself. Let's just say that if you can live with the inputs on the front I think you'll be blown away by the sound for the money.

[tobeno]

cool. not to be a question-*****, whats up with the pricing of the digimax 96? Pads and phantom switches on each channel, inputs on the back.... double the price?

just being a wiseass consumer, dont mind me

[ricknaqvi]

The main thing that makes the Digimax96 more money is the fact that there are limiters on every channel as well as the fact that the powersupply is external and rackmountable. If you record live, then believe me the limiters are amazing to have. They have saved my @$$ many times before. I use the Digimax96 in my personal live recording rig: http://www.louisianasound.com/liverecording.html

(I'll apologize in advance for the lameness of my site. It's still under construction! )

The other thing that make it more dough is that it outputs 24 simultaneous channels (eight analog, eight lightpipe and eight AES/EBU or SPDIF). So, it makes a three way split. This is great if you need to do a split as I'm doing (send the digital out to your DAW and the analog out to a backup recording device, like my HD24). It's also nice to send those analog outs to a front of house console, thus not needing a splitter snake.

Of course, it was this application that made us want to add direct analog outs on the DigimaxFS.

Cheers,

[tobeno]

very cool. well thanks, youve put the sale on for the fs, it is kind of ironic thought, the fact that ill be recording at 44.1 on it still, but at least ill have the option. and hey d/a converter for 600, nice.

cost not being an issue, which has the best sound? best converters? lt or fs?

[Snatchman]

Hey Rick. Humm...... Here's a question for you: "Can the external power supply from the Digimax 96 be modded to fit the Digi-max LT?... ...Just thinking out loud..