( 41 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 11 2009
This thing sounds way better than it has any right to for $30. I wanted something to hook my computer up to external powered speakers and this works perfectly. No buzz, hum or noise from the typical cheap internal sound cards. I also put one of these on my HTPC and play my 16bit/44.1k WAV files ripped from my CDs through my high end Musical Fidelity integrated amp and NHT tower speakers and it sounds great. Now does the Benchmark DAC1 sound better for $1000? I sure hope so. But this thing has 90% of that sound for $30. No bells and whistles, just solid interface for RCA in's and out's. I bought two.
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Posted: Aug 10 2009
This device is great for those who just want to get sound in and out of the computer conveniently without plugging in too many audio cables. It is nice to sit down at a desk, plug in the USB hub, and get sound in and out right away. I used mine to connect out to my ADS monitors and in from my run-of-the-mill Behringer 802 mixer. Key word "used." After a few hours of listening to the device, both recording and playback, I realized that it actually sounded worse than the headphone output on my laptop. Now, realize that I am a stickler for audio quality - your needs may vary - but for those with good ears this may be useful information. The sound is dead and lifeless, without much clarity or image. It seems as though a veil lies between me and the music that I can't get rid of. This, my good-eared friends, is the problem with a cheap DAC. That's the Digital-to-Analog converter, and it's what takes the bits from your computer and decides how to make sound waves out of them. Devices such as this one are cheap for a reason - the DAC chips and op-amps and components in the signal path are cheaply bought and cheaply constructed, and you'll get that signature veiled Behringer (oops, am I generalizing?) 'cheap' sound. If you have good ears and know you will be able to hear a difference - do yourself a favor and invest in a good DAC and ADC instead of this. You will thank yourself many times later on for it. There are many options in the $100-$200 range that those with good ears will (unfortunately for our wallets) require. So this review is mainly targeted as a warning to folks with discerning ears. However, if you're just looking for simple input and output and aren't running it to a good set of monitors or doing serious recording, then this will do just fine. If you know you won't be able to hear the difference, there's obviously no point in spending any more than this. Enjoy! (As a side note - if you're wondering why I care so much, let me put it simply: I end up listening to and enjoying more music when it sounds remarkably real. That's all it is really.)
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Posted: Aug 3 2009
A couple of years ago I fell for the alleged ease-of-use of a ION USB Turntable. The price was reasonable, and honestly -- I just wanted to convert some of my old vinyl without much hassle. I guess in that sense USB Turntables are okay. But ya know -- a cheap turntable is made cheaply. Even after I replaced the ION cartridge with one made by Shure -- the sound quality just didn't match what I was accustomed to from a "real" turntable. YES, you can use software to clean up the sound a bit...but I can't help but think this dilutes the recording somewhat. My real dilemma came with having to transfer some recordings from tape. The Ion turntable I have has a line in jack for just this purpose, but in the end the sound volume was too low, almost muffled. And so, enter the Behringer device. This transfer device is a dream, it couldn't be easier to use. Download Audactity and you are good to go. I was making recordings within minutes. My recordings have a great volume level and are free of hum. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. If Only I'd known about this years ago...
