Entry level audio test equipment

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Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Looking for recomendations for an entry level test suite of measurement
devices. Spcifically I'd like to measure distortion/noise and generate
signals. Devices with balanced i/o (where appropriate) would be ideal.
I'm good on a scope and meter. Could I do this for about $1k (used is
fine). I'm open to PC based or individual boxed units. If PC based
what are the options for data aquisition cards?

Thanks guys,
Brian

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

"Brian Allen" <brianwallen@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:t%7hd.13670$5i5.7989@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net

> Looking for recomendations for an entry level test suite of
> measurement devices. Spcifically I'd like to measure
> distortion/noise and generate signals. Devices with balanced i/o
> (where appropriate) would be ideal. I'm good on a scope and meter. Could
> I do this for about $1k (used is fine). I'm open to PC based
> or individual boxed units. If PC based what are the options for data
> aquisition cards?

The data acquisition card of choice is simply a good sound card. Got any
idea what sort of residuals you are looking for?

The software part of the equation might surprise you - its a freebie. I've
done a fair amount of equipment testing using sound cards and various pieces
of software for my www.pcavtech.com web site. At this point my software
package of choice is the freeware Audio Rightmark program which google will
point you at. It runs a whole test suite in a couple of minutes, noise, THD,
IM, frequency response, and several different noise measurements.

If you're going for residuals in the 0.01% range, then you might find that
the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 will work for you. If you are headed in the
0.001% range, then one of the Echo cards even the Mia, or the DAL Card
Deluxe might be for you. If you are headed for where the air is rare, being
residuals well below 0.001%, then the LynxTWO is the card for you. Even it
will be within your budget. The Card Deluxe and the LynxTwo are full
balanced in and out.

If you use a sound card for a measurement device, then you will want some
kind of input attenuator so you can work with signals at various levels.
Easy does it for me - a high grade 5 K 2 watt AB type potentiometer.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Brian Allen <brianwallen@earthlink.net> wrote in news:t%7hd.13670$5i5.7989
@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net:

> Looking for recomendations for an entry level test suite of measurement
> devices. Spcifically I'd like to measure distortion/noise and generate
> signals. Devices with balanced i/o (where appropriate) would be ideal.
> I'm good on a scope and meter. Could I do this for about $1k (used is
> fine). I'm open to PC based or individual boxed units. If PC based
> what are the options for data aquisition cards?

These products work well, and you can use almost any soundcard you have
sitting around:

http/www.etfacoustic.com/SoftwareOverview.html
http/www.speakerworkshop.com/SW/Feature%20Summary.htm (freeware)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Arny Krueger wrote:
> "Brian Allen" <brianwallen@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:t%7hd.13670$5i5.7989@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net
>
>
>>Looking for recomendations for an entry level test suite of
>>measurement devices. Spcifically I'd like to measure
>>distortion/noise and generate signals. Devices with balanced i/o
>> (where appropriate) would be ideal. I'm good on a scope and meter. Could
>>I do this for about $1k (used is fine). I'm open to PC based
>>or individual boxed units. If PC based what are the options for data
>>aquisition cards?
>
>
> The data acquisition card of choice is simply a good sound card. Got any
> idea what sort of residuals you are looking for?
>
> The software part of the equation might surprise you - its a freebie. I've
> done a fair amount of equipment testing using sound cards and various pieces
> of software for my www.pcavtech.com web site. At this point my software
> package of choice is the freeware Audio Rightmark program which google will
> point you at. It runs a whole test suite in a couple of minutes, noise, THD,
> IM, frequency response, and several different noise measurements.
>
> If you're going for residuals in the 0.01% range, then you might find that
> the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 will work for you. If you are headed in the
> 0.001% range, then one of the Echo cards even the Mia, or the DAL Card
> Deluxe might be for you. If you are headed for where the air is rare, being
> residuals well below 0.001%, then the LynxTWO is the card for you. Even it
> will be within your budget. The Card Deluxe and the LynxTwo are full
> balanced in and out.
>
> If you use a sound card for a measurement device, then you will want some
> kind of input attenuator so you can work with signals at various levels.
> Easy does it for me - a high grade 5 K 2 watt AB type potentiometer.
>
>
Thanks Arny, Ive got two sound cards, an echo darla and an alesis AI3
interfaced through an alesis adat edit card. I'll have to look and see
how they perform.

Thanks,
Brian