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02-19-2007, 11:32 AM
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#1
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FLAC
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Floreeda
Posts: 1,011
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M-Audio & Edirol USB/FireWire/Optical Info, Reviews, Comparisons...
Well well well, time to dust off the ol' thinking cap and commence with a comparison for things I dont even own.
So here is YOUR chance to chime in on ideas, thoughts, comments or reviews of the following products. Anything worth adding I will post here, so you dont have to scroll thru the entire thread.
These are mostly for Mac Car users who wish to use the optical/USB/Firewire of the Mac Mini for their sound, as opposed to the line-out. These are all intended for audio recording, and not so much for actual audio passthrough like a pre-amp, but they can be treated as such.
M-Audio Co2
converts between optical and coax S/PDIF
serves as a repeater to extend cable runs
TOSlink optical and coaxial digital inputs
TOSlink optical and coaxial digital outputs always active
transformer-isolated RCA jacks prevent system ground loops
Quote:
The CO2 is a compact and rugged digital audio tool that converts S/PDIF signals from optical to coax and from coax to optical. Its 2-in, 2-out design allows the CO2 to operate as a full-duplex, bi-directional converter, or as a half-duplex converter with “thru” port—allowing it to work as both a converter and a repeater. The CO2 is also affordable enough that it’s easy to add several if needed.
Comments: cheap and small, takes optical from Mac Mini and converts to RCA for direct amp hookup. Needs external power source 9v
M-Audio Audiophile USB
2 analog line in pairs
2 analog line outs w/ level knob
S/PDIF digital I/O w/ PCM, AC-3 and DTS support
Quote:
Audiophile USB is a compact audio and MIDI interface that builds on the success of our popular Audiophile 2496. AC-powered components allow Audiophile USB to deliver some of the best fidelity, frequency response, dynamic range and noise specs available in a USB interface. You also get digital I/O for pristine transfers, as well as the ability to pass AC-3 and DTS surround sound signals.
Comments: USB, optical and RCA inputs/outputs. un-needed MIDI and 1/4" jacks, unless you want a mobile recording studio. AC powered. External volume knob.
M-Audio - FireWire Audiophile 4/6
4 x 6 24-bit/96kHz I/O
S/PDIF digital I/O w/ PCM, AC-3, and DTS support
flexible software-controlled mixing
momentary A/B source monitoring switch
1 x 1 16-channel MIDI I/O
Quote:
FireWire Audiophile is a compact, FireWire-compatible audio/MIDI interface that takes the legacy of M-Audio’s award-winning Audiophile line to the next level. 4 x 6 audio I/O combines with powerful on-board mixing in a mobile package that’s perfect for live performance, home recording, and digital DJ work. You also get zero-latency hardware direct monitoring, ultra-low latency ASIO software direct monitoring, and 1 x 1 MIDI I/O. FireWire Audiophile even has AC-3 and DTS passthrough for surround sound playback.
Comments: external volume knob software adjustable, Firewire powered, un-needed MIDI I/O, optical and RCA inputs, FOUR RCA outputs
Edirol UA-1EX USB Audio Interface
Up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio quality
ASIO 2.0 (Win/Mac), WDM (Win2000/XP), CoreAudio (Mac OS X) compatibility
Zero latency, direct monitoring
USB powered, AC adaptor not required
RCA pin (L/R) in & out
1/8" phone type S/PDIF optical in & out
1/8" headphone jack and independent volume control
Audio I/O signal indicators
Microphone input port for plug-in powered electret condenser type (stereo)
Input volume control
Sampling rate switch (32/44.1/48/96 kHz)
Supports both advanced and OS-standard drivers (Win/ Mac OS X), selected with ADVANCED DRIVER. Comments: small, affordable, HIGH quality, external volume control
__________________
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No more loot for the carpute.
Trying to fit my 20" iMac into the dash... RF 600.5 amp, two 10" JLW0, 8 Infinity Components
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02-19-2007, 09:18 PM
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#2
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FLAC
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Floreeda
Posts: 1,011
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maybe this needs to move to another forum?
hardware?
audio?
__________________
(----) 0.0%
No more loot for the carpute.
Trying to fit my 20" iMac into the dash... RF 600.5 amp, two 10" JLW0, 8 Infinity Components
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02-19-2007, 09:28 PM
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#3
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 40
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Interesting. Thanks for posting. I have none of the above but I have been looking at the Roland (Edirol) as a possible solution to my Mac Mini carputer.
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02-19-2007, 10:54 PM
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#4
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Maximum Bitrate
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Langley AFB
Posts: 607
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its geared soley to macs so i dont think it needs to be moved.
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Cant code cause I dont know how, but give me the paint bucket and my eraser and have at you!
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02-20-2007, 04:40 AM
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#5
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Constant Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Posts: 129
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It is interesting as i was originally looking at uying digital amps so i could run straight out of the mac to the system.
But after a long think and alot of research and the fact that the nav couldn;t be run well on a mac, i decided it wasn't for me...
NOW i would definately consider it if i was going into it again...
Not too sure which i would use, but for simplicity and ease of use then it would probably be the Edirol, for the simple reason that no power is required except form usb so no wiring up an invertor just for that.... Lol
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CLICK ME
Smart Car due for completion beginning of march....
Log with pictures to go online shortly after.
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02-20-2007, 05:44 AM
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#6
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Constant Bitrate
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 154
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every single device there is just as compatable with a PC. I think this should be moved to the audio section for everyone to see.
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02-20-2007, 10:49 AM
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#7
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FLAC
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Floreeda
Posts: 1,011
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IM leaning heavily to the M-Audio FireWire 4/6
FW powered, handy volume knob instead of a touchscreen volume control, and it has 4 channels out instead of the typical 2.
combined with a mac mini (or any FW capable pc) and an amp with internal crossovers, you are all set.
M-Audio being geared to MIDI stuff, kind of sucks for this application, but w/e I can jam in the car if I wanted to.
__________________
(----) 0.0%
No more loot for the carpute.
Trying to fit my 20" iMac into the dash... RF 600.5 amp, two 10" JLW0, 8 Infinity Components
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02-20-2007, 11:10 PM
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#8
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Mac Car Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 813
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nah, let it stay here. not everything mac works with a PC and vise versa
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02-21-2007, 04:59 AM
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#9
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Constant Bitrate
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 154
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Quote: Originally Posted by kandyman676  nah, let it stay here. not everything mac works with a PC and vise versa
whats this? keep it for the mac community, or something?
whilst i appreciate the differences and compatablitiy issues between mac and PC hardware, I'd like you to identify just one of those devices which isn't fully compatible with a PC.
so tell me then, why isn't this in the general audio section (or even the hardware section as mentioned above) for all to see who are interested.
I'm not a mac user myself, haven't been for some years now (was pre osx days for me), so I don't tend to venture into the mac forum really, I found this by clicking the "new posts" link at the top of the page. there's some good info here that i think should be shared with everyone who has an interest in it.
Last edited by DavC; 02-21-2007 at 05:07 AM.
Reason: fixing spelling mistakes
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02-21-2007, 04:54 PM
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#10
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Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17
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I use the M-Audio Firewire 4/6 for live stuff, is a good bit of kit! powered through firewire, 4 outs, nice stable unit and decent sound. have had a few problems with it on the G5 in the studio though, needed to re-instal drivers a couple of times, but i think thats more to do with the build on the G5! works brilliantly on the laptops.
It is quite a big unit though to find a place in a car build...
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02-22-2007, 08:41 AM
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#11
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FLAC
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Floreeda
Posts: 1,011
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Nice to know someone who at least owns one of the above-mentioned devices.
For the 4/6, are you getting your audio input from the Firewire cable or thru optical?
Can you set the 4 RCA outputs independently?
as for the size:
compact size: 1-3/4” (h) x 7-1/4” (w) x 5-1/2” (d); 1.7 lbs.
doesnt seem THAT big, 7" wide and 5" deep...maybe its a little big...
but then again, maybe id just mod it, hack out the MIDI and lose a few inches in width...im truly just interested in using the volume knob as im sure its easier to use than a touchscreen software volume control...
though i must say for NO fuss n NO muss, the Co2 doesnt seem like a bad choice, cept for the power needs.
__________________
(----) 0.0%
No more loot for the carpute.
Trying to fit my 20" iMac into the dash... RF 600.5 amp, two 10" JLW0, 8 Infinity Components
Last edited by sdashiki; 02-22-2007 at 08:47 AM.
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04-12-2007, 08:38 PM
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#12
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 40
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Edirol sounds great, BTW. See my carputer specs for what it is hooked up to.
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