|
|
Post by ab101 on Jan 3, 2024 17:27:14 GMT -6
For easy reference... Would you guys expect the SSL or Audient Interfaces, to be comparable to an Apollo? Chris P.S. What's funny is the latest budget Tascams have (supposedly) nicer A/D than the Scarletts (maybe even Clarett?). Chris - your Tascam comment would not surprise me. I have an HS-p82 (over ten year old technology) and the A/D is fantastic. I am sure there are great albums that have been made with it - especially because they can be stacked. While I doubt they are the latest and greatest, Tascam was on top of the curve on the field recorder unit with that unit with great A/D and actually really good preamps. Sometimes, not always, a "deep" company will put a lot into a well-priced unit. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 3, 2024 17:33:31 GMT -6
If this thing sounds as good as you say it is a shame that they didn’t build a version with SPDIF and AES/ EBU. I don’t think it’s the last of the line that’s coming out. |
|
|
|
Post by RealNoob on Jan 3, 2024 19:40:47 GMT -6
I have the Rev 2x2 and have used it for the last 12 months or so. I got it while waiting for a new power supply for my Orion Studio. I never plugged my Orion back in. Crazy that this bus-powered, reasonably priced unit sounds a good as it does. I am waiting for a larger unit from them. I hoped the 6x6 would be it but nope. I did see them say that more are coming. An 8x8 or 16x16 would be amazing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 3, 2024 19:52:41 GMT -6
Listening some more. With neither interface going through the Trinnov, these are very close. The Burl seems to have a little more output, so it makes switching back and forth a little tricky...but the Burl is definitely forward/brighter in the 2-4khz range. And it probably has a little more meat on the bottom. The Rev handles those mids better...there...I said it. And I definitely less fatiguing.
Just for instance, listening to "Never Going Back Again." Starting at 1:50, the vocal can get a little harsh and spiky on the Burl. (Keep in mind these descriptions using terms like bright and spiky are just relative.) They're definitely smoother with the Rev. I'm not hearing AS MUCH of a difference today as I did yesterday...but I'm able to push a button on the monitor controller now to compare. Now also keep in mind this REV is $399 and the Burl is at least 4 times that price. I'm pretty shocked tbh, so I've quintuple checked all the connections to make sure I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing. So unless the Apollo sending a spdif digital signal to the Burl is somehow compromising the sound of the Burl, I'm doing it correctly. The Rev is connected USB and I'm switching devices in Audio/Midi and simultaneously switching the monitor controller to the proper signals.
I'm currently waiting on another AES to SPDIF cable so I can put the Trinnov in the path...then I want to compare again.
So my path is Apollo spdif out to AES in of Trinnov - then Trinnov AES out to either the AES in of the Burl or the spdif in of the Revolution. (I need a female AES to Spdif cable for the Rev connection.)
|
|
|
|
Post by raddistribution on Jan 3, 2024 20:18:16 GMT -6
If this thing sounds as good as you say it is a shame that they didn’t build a version with SPDIF and AES/ EBU. The 6x6 has spdif I/o that works in both interface and standalone mode |
|
|
|
Post by lee on Jan 3, 2024 22:29:09 GMT -6
The Burls have lots of transformers in them, probably the smearing you heard.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 3, 2024 23:04:30 GMT -6
The Burls have lots of transformers in them, probably the smearing you heard. The DAC doesn’t…or that will be a big surprise to me. |
|
|
|
Post by kcatthedog on Jan 4, 2024 0:14:38 GMT -6
The idea that the Rev is just more linear and detailed wouldn’t surprise me at all: that’s what bla conversion and mods are all about.
|
|
|
|
Post by lee on Jan 4, 2024 11:54:26 GMT -6
The Burls have lots of transformers in them, probably the smearing you heard. The DAC doesn’t…or that will be a big surprise to me. ahh, you’re right. It’s the ADC that has the input transformer. |
|
|
|
Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 12:30:56 GMT -6
So I'm confused... what's the point of the Revolution EXP?
Is this the same conversion as the 6x6? If so I guess I could see the value there but it's still strange that they wouldn't make it so that you can pair it up with their other offerings.
Is the idea to have an ADAT expander that isn't made by Behringer or Focusrite? So I guess this competes with Ferrofish? If the AD/DA is as high end as John says the 6x6 is, maybe there's something to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by raddistribution on Jan 4, 2024 12:54:15 GMT -6
The point of the exp is two fold. It wasn't intended to be an expander for the 2x2 or 6x6 but rather existing interfaces on the market that could really benefit from better sounding conversion and clocking. Not to mention, i can't officially say what is in the works, but if we we going to release a higher channel count interface that takes advantage of adat i/o in addition to the analog i/o, it would definitely make sense to have an available expander that you could use with it... if you get what i'm saying....
The expander uses the same conversion as the 6x6 with higher voltage rails for slightly increased headroom and higher output. Due to a lot less features between input and conversion (since it is straight line level conversion vs all of the 6x6 interface circuitry, a cleaner streamlined signal path is possible but for for all intents and purposes, they should sound identical.
If you already have a rackmount interface that can really take advantage of these, the best way to go is to actually get both an exp and a 6x6, put the 6x6 into standalone mode and connect it via spdif to the interface. clock them all together using the internal black lion clock and enjoy the additional 10x10 i/o
|
|
|
|
Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 13:34:05 GMT -6
The point of the exp is two fold. It wasn't intended to be an expander for the 2x2 or 6x6 but rather existing interfaces on the market that could really benefit from better sounding conversion and clocking. Not to mention, i can't officially say what is in the works, but if we we going to release a higher channel count interface that takes advantage of adat i/o in addition to the analog i/o, it would definitely make sense to have an available expander that you could use with it... if you get what i'm saying.... The expander uses the same conversion as the 6x6 with higher voltage rails for slightly increased headroom and higher output. Due to a lot less features between input and conversion (since it is straight line level conversion vs all of the 6x6 interface circuitry, a cleaner streamlined signal path is possible but for for all intents and purposes, they should sound identical. If you already have a rackmount interface that can really take advantage of these, the best way to go is to actually get both an exp and a 6x6, put the 6x6 into standalone mode and connect it via spdif to the interface. clock them all together using the internal black lion clock and enjoy the additional 10x10 i/o That's kind of interesting. In my live room I have a 24ch board going I/O through MOTU AI and AO with MOTU Ultralight interface. At this price point I could swap that out for three of these and something like a MOTU LP32 or RME Digiface for not that much of a cost increase assuming I was able to sell the existing units for 85% retail or so. In a scenario like that I would just use one of the EXP's to clock? |
|
|
|
Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 13:58:26 GMT -6
Here's another scenario. In my mixing room I use a MOTU 828es as the centerpiece along with a Cranborne 500ADAT and a MOTU AO. The MOTU AO goes out to an RND Orbit for analog summing and back into the Cranborne for final conversion.
In theory I could swap out the 828es for the EXP and use the MOTU AO as the interface. The EXP and the Cranborne would go into the optical inputs on the 24AO. I would have the same amount of I/O but would I really be gaining all that much by improving the signal path on my other outboard if the mixdown is still using the DA of the MOTU AO?
(Overthinking is my specialty so, yes, I'm aware that I'm overthinking all of this. Frankly I don't even have a problem I'm trying to solve except for the endless pursuit of higher fidelity in a price range I can afford.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 4, 2024 14:43:42 GMT -6
So I'm confused... what's the point of the Revolution EXP? Is this the same conversion as the 6x6? If so I guess I could see the value there but it's still strange that they wouldn't make it so that you can pair it up with their other offerings. Is the idea to have an ADAT expander that isn't made by Behringer or Focusrite? So I guess this competes with Ferrofish? If the AD/DA is as high end as John says the 6x6 is, maybe there's something to it. Yeah - it's just ADAT I/O basically and really, really good conversion, so I guess you can forgive the lack of versatility. |
|
|
|
Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 14:45:31 GMT -6
So I'm confused... what's the point of the Revolution EXP? Is this the same conversion as the 6x6? If so I guess I could see the value there but it's still strange that they wouldn't make it so that you can pair it up with their other offerings. Is the idea to have an ADAT expander that isn't made by Behringer or Focusrite? So I guess this competes with Ferrofish? If the AD/DA is as high end as John says the 6x6 is, maybe there's something to it. Yeah - it's just ADAT I/O basically and really, really good conversion, so I guess you can forgive the lack of versatility. That's actually kind of cool. I was just considering a simplification to my mixing room setup up literally two weeks ago but the only ADAT with good conversion I know of is the 500ADAT which is 2x the EXP before you even start filling the rack. |
|
|
|
Post by honkeur on Jan 4, 2024 15:24:01 GMT -6
Do any of these Revolution interfaces make sense to use with an external mic preamp ?
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Jan 4, 2024 16:05:01 GMT -6
Do any of these Revolution interfaces make sense to use with an external mic preamp ? That's all I would be using with it. I'm going to try the AD hopefully later tonight - I think If you use a 1/4" from your pre into the XLR inputs, it treats it like line level. |
|
|
|
Post by the other mark williams on Jan 4, 2024 16:13:00 GMT -6
The point of the exp is two fold. It wasn't intended to be an expander for the 2x2 or 6x6 but rather existing interfaces on the market that could really benefit from better sounding conversion and clocking. Not to mention, i can't officially say what is in the works, but if we we going to release a higher channel count interface that takes advantage of adat i/o in addition to the analog i/o, it would definitely make sense to have an available expander that you could use with it... if you get what i'm saying.... The expander uses the same conversion as the 6x6 with higher voltage rails for slightly increased headroom and higher output. Due to a lot less features between input and conversion (since it is straight line level conversion vs all of the 6x6 interface circuitry, a cleaner streamlined signal path is possible but for for all intents and purposes, they should sound identical. If you already have a rackmount interface that can really take advantage of these, the best way to go is to actually get both an exp and a 6x6, put the 6x6 into standalone mode and connect it via spdif to the interface. clock them all together using the internal black lion clock and enjoy the additional 10x10 I/o Sounds like a great product, Seth. I really wish it had AES... (Hint hint feedback to pass along...) |
|
|
|
Post by lee on Jan 4, 2024 16:38:27 GMT -6
The point of the exp is two fold. It wasn't intended to be an expander for the 2x2 or 6x6 but rather existing interfaces on the market that could really benefit from better sounding conversion and clocking. Not to mention, i can't officially say what is in the works, but if we we going to release a higher channel count interface that takes advantage of adat i/o in addition to the analog i/o, it would definitely make sense to have an available expander that you could use with it... if you get what i'm saying.... The expander uses the same conversion as the 6x6 with higher voltage rails for slightly increased headroom and higher output. Due to a lot less features between input and conversion (since it is straight line level conversion vs all of the 6x6 interface circuitry, a cleaner streamlined signal path is possible but for for all intents and purposes, they should sound identical. If you already have a rackmount interface that can really take advantage of these, the best way to go is to actually get both an exp and a 6x6, put the 6x6 into standalone mode and connect it via spdif to the interface. clock them all together using the internal black lion clock and enjoy the additional 10x10 I/o Sounds like a great product, Seth. I really wish it had AES... (Hint hint feedback to pass along...) I know. AES seems to be endangered these days. Particularly more than a stereo pair. |
|
|
|
Post by chessparov on Jan 4, 2024 17:12:31 GMT -6
I wonder how revered the Revolution already is...
On British Invasion?
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083 
|
Post by ericn on Jan 4, 2024 17:44:10 GMT -6
I wonder how revered the Revolution already is... On British Invasion? I’m thinking of waiting for the special Beatles version: number 9, number 9. |
|
|
|
Post by ab101 on Jan 4, 2024 18:05:25 GMT -6
I wonder how revered the Revolution already is... On British Invasion? Well - it is better than the Evolution unit, which will not be out for 100 years.  |
|
|
|
Post by raddistribution on Jan 4, 2024 18:28:48 GMT -6
Do any of these Revolution interfaces make sense to use with an external mic preamp ? That's all I would be using with it. I'm going to try the AD hopefully later tonight - I think If you use a 1/4" from your pre into the XLR inputs, it treats it like line level. Correct, 1/4 trs into the center of the combo jack is line level |
|
|
|
Post by ab101 on Jan 4, 2024 18:50:12 GMT -6
That's all I would be using with it. I'm going to try the AD hopefully later tonight - I think If you use a 1/4" from your pre into the XLR inputs, it treats it like line level. Correct, 1/4 trs into the center of the combo jack is line level Thank you so much for your great posts, Seth. Do you have a recommendation on AES to spdif cables or converters? |
|
|
|
Post by the other mark williams on Jan 4, 2024 19:52:46 GMT -6
Sounds like a great product, Seth. I really wish it had AES... (Hint hint feedback to pass along...) I know. AES seems to be endangered these days. Particularly more than a stereo pair. yeah, good point - to be clear, I’m talking about 8 channels of AES. Putting them on a DB25 is fine. |
|
