quote:

Originally posted by JayD Side note: What most people don't know. In the end if your going to be connecting your equipment to an amp, you probably won't need more than one input & output (outputs) since the amp will have plenty for use. Also most people don't know that pro soundcards use RCA jacks (seperate jacks for right & left), speakers like Creative & etc cannot be used w/ out an adaptor. JaY

Ok thx

What else ?

Big reading for those who are interested:

This is the back of M-Audio's Audiophile 2496.



This is the back of M-Audio's Delta 1010LT.



I haven't heard the Delta before, but by the comparing the specs it looks the same sound as the Audiophile with more features. It's a $180 dollar difference between the Audiophile ($129.99) & the Delta ($299.99) & there aren't any major differences between the two except that the Delta has one more input and three more outputs (for three more pairs of speakers). Which if your going to be using an amp to connect your monitors / hardware to your soundcard, you won't need and they will be useless in the future. The reason for the Delta's XLR connectors is quote "saving the expense of outboard preamps".

With a preamp you can have much much more outputs depending on which amp you get. Also you have more access and precision to get the sound you want out of your monitors.

Also more access The Delta 1010LT also has features such as 7.1 & a few smaller details. Not at all much difference from the Audiophile 2496 when comparing the specs.

Audiophile 2496 specs:

2 x 2 analog I/O

24-bit/96kHz fidelity

S/PDIF digital I/O with 2-channel PCM

SCMS copy protection control

digital I/O supports surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through

1 x 1 MIDI I/O

zero-latency monitoring

software controlled 36-bit internal DSP digital mixing/routing

gold-plated RCA jacks

Apple G5 compatible

includes Maximum Audio Tools software bundle




frequency response: 22Hz-22kHz, -0.4, -0.4dB

dynamic range: 104dB (A-weighted) (D/A)

100.4dB (A-weighted) (A/D)

THD: < 0.002%

size/weight: 5-1/4” x 5” x 7/8”; 0.2 lbs.


36-bit Embedded DSP
All Delta cards contain a 36-bit embedded DSP enabling a software-driven patchbay/router for all analog and digital I/O—all with extremely fast throughput for low-latency software monitoring. A single unified control panel provides settings for clock and sample rates, buffer sizes, individual signal levels for every input and output, adjustable +4dBu/-10dBV pad conrols and digital I/O control on up to four installed Delta cards. All controls are also easily accessible through most professional audio software applications for seamless integration and operation.

Delta's 1010LT specs:

8 x 8 analog I/O

2 mic preamps or line inputs

S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial) with 2-channel PCM

SCMS copy protection control

digital I/O supports surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through

1 x 1 MIDI I/O

directly drive up to 7.1 surround (bass management software included)

software controlled 36-bit internal DSP digital mixing/routing

+4dbu/-10dBV operation individually switched in software

word clock I/O for sample accurate device synchronization

Apple G5 compatible

includes Maximum Audio Tools software bundle




frequency response: 22Hz-22kHz, -0.2,-0.4dB @48kHz

22Hz-40kHz, -0.2,-0.7db @96kHz

dynamic range (A-weighted measured): 101.5dB (D/A)

99.6dB (A/D)

THD: < 0.002% (A/D and D/A)

size/weight: 5-1/8” x 7/8” x 5-3/8”; 0.25 lbs.


36-bit Embedded DSP
All Delta cards contain a 36-bit embedded DSP enabling a software-driven patchbay/router for all analog and digital I/O—all with extremely fast throughput for low-latency software monitoring. A single unified control panel provides settings for clock and sample rates, buffer sizes, individual signal levels for every input and output, adjustable +4dBu/-10dBV pad conrols and digital I/O control on up to four installed Delta cards. All controls are also easily accessible through most professional audio software applications for seamless integration and operation.

Compare the two and you'll see what I mean.

If can afford and will need the extra features later on (7.1 etc) from the Delta, then get it. If your on a budget and want to use the $180 on something else, get the Audiophile.

JaY

___________________

If you are going to be using PC speakers (stero card) with a pro soundcard (RCA), this is a bit more detail w/ picture on what conversion kit you'll need.

From M-Audio:

PC speakers commonly use a 1/8” stereo plug while the Audiophile 2496 is using more professional RCA connections for it’s outputs. You will need to use an adapter to be able to connect your PC speakers to the Audiophile 2496. The adapter has to have a pair of male RCA connectors on one end and a female stereo 1/8” (3.5 mm) jack on the other end. This type of adapter cable is hard to find in stores, but can be ordered online, for example here:

http://www.rogerssystems.com/store/...?Product_ID=346

If you don’t want to order the adapter online but would rather get it at a local electronics store, you most likely won’t find one with this particular combination of connectors. In this case, you will have to use two more commonly used adapters to make this work:


Adapter 1: 1/8” male stereo plug to 2x male RCA.

This adapter should be available at any electronics store like Radio Shack or MarVac or can be ordered online, for example at

http://www.rogerssystems.com/store/...?Product_ID=317

Adapter 2: 1/8” female stereo jack to 1/8” female stereo jack (coupler).

This adapter should be available at any electronics store like Radio Shack or MarVac or can be ordered online, for example at


http://www.rogerssystems.com/store/...?Product_ID=292


Connect adapter 1 to the Audiophile’s RCA outputs.

Connect adapter 2 to adapter 1.

Connect your PC speakers to adapter 2.

---------------------------------------------------------

If you have creative speakers or something like it which uses a sub to connect all speakers, and if your going to buy from Radio shack instead of online, you honestly won't need to buy a coupler unless your speakers are going to be much farther away than the soundcard. The connections you get from the likes of Radioshack and connect directly into your subwoofer.

You save about nine dollars (thier about $4.16 or so from Radioshack each).

JaY

___________________