Ada8000 - Sound samples - You vote!

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

I've been running my ada8000 through its paces here in my mix room. Primarily I want to use this unit as JUST a converter. I don't really have a use for the preamps, so I need something that will interface with my outboard without degrading the sound.

I've set up a simple loop-back test with 3 files to listen to.

1. Source file
2. File looped through the converters just once. (D/A -> A/D)
3. File looped through the converters 32 times. (D/A -> A/D x 32)

The files are all mono. The test is clean and simple. All of the files are gain matched to the best of my abilities.

The ada8000 was set to its internal clock / I used Mogami cables.

Listen to all 3 and tell me which is which!

How do you just use it as a converter. The 1/4" ins still have gain control and doesn't that mean it's still going thru the preamps?

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

How do you just use it as a converter. The 1/4" ins still have gain control and doesn't that mean it's still going thru the preamps?

Yep... it's still going through the preamps, but the 1/4" is padded down so you can set them up for unity gain.

One of the big gripes about the unit is that you can't easily bypass the preamp section and go straight to the converter (I've actually completed a mod on one my channels so that you can do this, but I'll save that for another thread).

I'm just wondering if the unit works well enough as a stand alone piece to justify keeping.

I'm curious to put you low-end golden ears to the test... what do you hear?

[andremattos]

A - 1x
B - Source
C - 32x

[microstudio]

I listened to them and its hard to tell but I am thinking

B = Source
A = 1x
C = 32x

PM me with the key please, this way you don't have to give out the answer.

[blaugruen7]

wouldnt it be a good idea to have stereo files?

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by blaugruen7

wouldnt it be a good idea to have stereo files?

Stereo file would be nice but it's harder to do the 32x torture test b/c if the difference between one of the L/R channels is more than .1 db different in volume (which with the ada8000 sometimes there's a full db difference!), then by the time you've converted the file 32 times, the files become lop-sided.

If you're really interested in a stereo sample... I can callibrate the volumes and post one up.

40 listens and 5 votes? Common people, vote!

[blaugruen7]

i think it is not neccessary that you have too much work with this.
so dont panic with the stereo files.
otherwise i dont need 32*
i havent voted yet but C sounds definetly like a 32* candidate.
when i am grown up i will do a side by side comparison between
something like the beringer and something like prism.

[smallbutfine]

well, the first two sound pretty ok if you like the overall sound of this piece...
the third one is the 32x ada i would bet.
I guess the first one is the 1x ada, but i really can not say it sounds bad, i'm just missing a bit of stereo image i think to hear on the second one.
Maybe this is related to crosstalk, did you do this on neighbored channels in the ada unit?
However, i guess
a 1xada
b 0xada (nada)
c 32x ada

Maybe it is more obvious if i run it thru the monitors, just heard thru my half decent home stereo (ok, it really is quite good)...

Well i have the adas in my rack side by side to a mytek and use them slaved to it...so mine are sounding better for sure fuuck
kind regards

Martin

[norman_nomad]

I could have sworn I posted the results? Hmmmm..

Anyways, most all of you have good ears for this!

The results are:

A - converted once
B - Source
C - converted 32x

Cheers!

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by smallbutfine

I guess the first one is the 1x ada, but i really can not say it sounds bad, i'm just missing a bit of stereo image i think to hear on the second one.
Maybe this is related to crosstalk, did you do this on neighbored channels in the ada unit?

The files are mono actually... so crosstalk shouldn't be a problem.

These converters actually hold up really well... better than I expected.

I have 16 channels of these and a Big Ben (not used in this test). I'll post some sample files down the road with the converters clocked to the Big Ben.

[jeff deff]

A and B are very close. C sounds a little weaker. I'll go with going consensus of A = X1, B = source and C= X32.

I'm glad to hear that the Behringer fairs this well in a test such as this. Is all I can afford at the moment!

[structuredloud]

Good Post! Really shocked at how little damage was done! how did you patch this?

O1->I2->O2->I3->O3->I4 etc. ?

I'm gonna try this with my RME ADI-8 and see what happens.

[The Spark]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

I have 16 channels of these and a Big Ben (not used in this test). I'll post some sample files down the road with the converters clocked to the Big Ben.

That would be cool. Thanks for doing this experiment!

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by structuredloud

Good Post! Really shocked at how little damage was done! how did you patch this?

O1->I2->O2->I3->O3->I4 etc. ?

I'm gonna try this with my RME ADI-8 and see what happens.

For the 32 x test?

I just set the input/output to unity gain. Then I ran the original through the converters once... took that converted track, and ran them through the converters again, then took THAT track and ... etc, etc..

I did this 32 times. So what you hear was converted through the same I/O 32 consecutive times.

If you want... take the original wav file I posted... run it through your ADI-8... match the gain... then post it here so that we can all listen!

[LaLaFaV]

My immediate gut reaction was that "B" was the source. I'm glad that I could "feel" that even on crappy computer speakers. I guess my ears aren't too gone yet from years of drumming.
BTW, I've listened to that Paloalto album a million times, very catchy. It's a good sound file to use on a test like this because it already sounds crushed and brittle before going through all that extra conversion so you really have to listen hard. Funny thing to me with that album is that although it's mastered to crushed hell, I still can listen to it over and over with enjoyment because I love those songs. It only fatigues my ears when I stop singing along/enjoying the music and think about the bad mastering.

[structuredloud]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

I did this 32 times. So what you hear was converted through the same I/O 32 consecutive times.

I am sitting in a room

[Acoustic Cloud]

A and B sounded almost as good to my ears, and I couldnt tell. I could tell that c was a bit more tattered, but didnt sound anything like 32x converted!!

Nice test! I am listening on the internet pc, and the drums are pretty even and crisp.

It seems like the overdriven guitars are digitally clipping a bit, are they?

Im not picking on your test, just trying to listen better. May be my little pc speakers.

Roland MA-8's, Im not sure how they have hung on for so many years, but they still work.

[DeeDrive]

I'm so proud of myself, I got it right, and I'm listening on iPod earbuds.

[everyday]

C- 32*???

[ryanojohn]

Originally Posted by structuredloud

I am sitting in a room

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!


It's been a while since I've heard that "song"

[ksm]

I think C is 32 times. It has little less bass. Because signal goes thru the same converter it goes through the same dc-block capacitor 32 times = 32 times same low-cut filter.

My guess is that: B is original, A is converted once, C is converted 32 times

[Captain Proton]

Holy return of the living thread batman!!!!

[Anghello]

I love 32x distortion. It doesnt sound like mp3 or digital at all.. but it has it own transient flavour and feeling. You cant compare any hi-end converter by "how identical it is".. but only "is the mood right and listenable". Every converter.. even top 2099year converter would lose some data and distort.. but "how" is the main attitude.