Testing the external firewire audiophile

vaios · Φεβρουάριος 20, 2006

Testing external firewire audiophile

Nowadays it is an undeniable fact that the sales of laptops have the tendency to overscale those of personal computers. Therefore, if you are still one of those that believed that laptops are a luxury that only a few can afford and even less need, now is a good time to change your mind. Already a lot of us have replaced our personal computer with a laptop, since the processing power, storage capacities and upgradeability are finally on par with that of personal computers. In addition the ease of use and portability that they offer can also be very tempting.

This new market tendency has not escaped the attention of the corresponding hardware companies, which grabbed the opportunity of manufacturing products for laptops that compete with the corresponding hardware of PCs, no matter the field of use (even for extreme gaming). The evolvement of fast communication ports with external peripherals (USB, firewire etc) has untied the hands for most manufacturers even as far as upgradeability was concerned, one of laptops’ weak points. It was therefore no big surprise to find the market for external peripheral devices suddenly blooming. Devices such as optical disk drives, hard disk drives, sound cards and even video cards in a very short time became very popular on the stores of most computer shops.

In this review in particular, we will be testing a professional external soundcard, the FIREWIRE AUDIOPHILE of M-AUDIO, a company well known in this field.

The Card

The packaging wins the heart of the buyer from the very beginning. Apart from the soundcard itself, it contains 2 connection cables (a 6pin-6pin and a 6pin-4pin cable), the power supplier and the corresponding software and necessary drivers.

The power supply that is contained I the package should only be used in the case the card is connected through the 6pin-4pin cable, due to the properties of the firewire port itself. When using the 6pin-6pin cable, the soundcard is supplied by the firewire port, so the supplier is not needed.

Let’s see the soundcard’s feature, as they are presented by the manufacturing company:

• 4 x 6 24-bit/96kHz I/O

• 2 x 4 analogue operation (RCA)

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

• digital out also supports AC-3/DTS surround sound

• headphone output with dedicated level control

• flexible software-controlled mixing of hardware and software I/O

• aux sends on all channels and aux output assign allows for dedicated headphone mixes and sends to external effects

• user-assignable front-panel level control (output, input, software return, aux send)

• zero-latency hardware direct monitoring

• low-latency ASIO software direct monitoring

• momentary switch for A/Bing two software-assignable headphone sources or switching ASIO monitoring on/off

• 1 x 1 16-channel MIDI I/O

• power on/off switch with indicator LED

• powered via FireWire bus* or included DC power supply

• two convenient high-bandwidth FireWire ports

• rugged steel construction

On the front panel we can see the power button, the volume controller, the digital in/out sync leads and the headphone jack receptacle.

On the back panel, one can find the following:

power connector
2 firewire ports
Midi in/out
S/PDIF in/out
2 line inputs
4 line outputs

What is missing? The microphone input.

Now let’s take a look at this soundcard’s “insides”:

Drivers

Installing the soundcard is no problem at all, while the drivers and all accompanying software support almost all current applications. The existence of ASIO 2.0, MME, DIRECTX and GSIF is worth noting, while the support of 64bit Windows has already been announced.

The software interface is user friendly and elaborate, while not lacking in taste:

The system we will be using for reviewing the soundcard is an Acer Travel Mate 1355LC. We did the tests by “bridging” the input and output and using the audio analyzer.

Before we continue with further tests, let’s take a few minutes to explain some more technical terms that will be used.

Frequency Response: Basically it is a range of frequencies that can be produced by the device. It is the base of all measurements since it defines one of the axes of every frequency response diagrams.
At this point we should explain the meaning of an extra value next to 0 that we will refer to. It concerns the area along which the device performs in the same way and is measured in Db. For example, a soundcard with Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 KHz, +- 0.25 Db will perform the same in a range of -0.25 till +0.25 Db, giving the impression that the sound level does not change.
Noise Level: Measured in Db
Dynamic Range: It is the range between the maximum and minimum (volume) output level. Usually, the minimum level coincides with the noise. It is measured in Db.
Total Harmonic Distortion: Harmonic Distortion is a means for measuring Nonlinear Distortion. Nonlinear Distortion is a form of signal processing error that creates signals at frequencies that are not necessarily present in the input. It contrasts with Linear Distortion, which is a form of error that creates no new frequencies beyond those that are present in the input signal. Linear Distortion changes the relationship of the size and timing of the frequencies that compose the input signal. Linear and Nonlinear distortion are directly based on frequencies present in the input signal. Noise is a form of error that is not as directly related to the input signal. THD is determined by measuring the size of each of the new frequencies that are created by the source of the distortion. The new frequencies are called "harmonics" because they exist at frequencies that are integer multiples of the input signal. It is measured as a percentage. (source: http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/techtalk/THD/ )
Intermodulation Distortion: It is a more complicated ”noise” production process that is generated by the synchronous production of 2 different sounds. It is measured as a percentage.
Crosstalk: It is the signal interference between 2 channels, measured in Db.

After explaining some of the technical terms used, we can continue with further testing.

44,1 - 16 ΒΙΤ

<h2 align="center">RightMark Audio Analyzer test</h2><br>

<h4 align="center">Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)<br>

Sampling mode: 16-bit, 44 kHz<br><br>

</h4><br><br><br>

<h3 align="center">Summary</h3>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:</strong></td>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Noise level, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>-95.3</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Dynamic range, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>95.3</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0008</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0054</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Stereo crosstalk, dB:</strong></td>

<td>-95.7</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center">General performance: Excellent</h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Frequency response</h3>

</p>

<td align="left"><strong>Frequency range</strong></td>

<td><strong>Response</strong></td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Noise level</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power, dB:</td><td>-93.2</td><td>-93.3</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>-95.2</td><td>-95.3</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Peak level, dB FS:</td><td>-79.5</td><td>-79.5</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Dynamic range</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range, dB:</td><td>+93.7</td><td>+93.7</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>+95.3</td><td>+95.3</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.005</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Intermodulation distortion</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.006</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.005</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Stereo crosstalk</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB:</td><td>-93</td><td>-92</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB:</td><td>-95</td><td>-93</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB:</td><td>-93</td><td>-93</td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<p><center><font size=1>This report was generated by RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.3</font></center></p>

48 - 16 ΒΙΤ

<h2 align="center">RightMark Audio Analyzer test</h2><br>

<h4 align="center">Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)<br>

Sampling mode: 16-bit, 48 kHz<br><br>

</h4><br><br><br>

<h3 align="center">Summary</h3>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:</strong></td>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Noise level, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>-95.5</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Dynamic range, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>95.4</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0008</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0055</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Stereo crosstalk, dB:</strong></td>

<td>-95.9</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center">General performance: Excellent</h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Frequency response</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Frequency range</strong></td>

<td><strong>Response</strong></td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Noise level</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power, dB:</td><td>-92.4</td><td>-92.4</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>-95.4</td><td>-95.5</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Peak level, dB FS:</td><td>-75.8</td><td>-75.8</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Dynamic range</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range, dB:</td><td>+93.5</td><td>+93.6</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>+95.4</td><td>+95.5</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.005</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Intermodulation distortion</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.006</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Stereo crosstalk</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB:</td><td>-94</td><td>-94</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB:</td><td>-95</td><td>-95</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB:</td><td>-93</td><td>-93</td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<p><center><font size=1>This report was generated by RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.3</font></center></p>

48 - 24 ΒΙΤ

<h2 align="center">RightMark Audio Analyzer test</h2><br>

<h4 align="center">Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)<br>

Sampling mode: 24-bit, 48 kHz<br><br>

</h4><br><br><br>

<h3 align="center">Summary</h3>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:</strong></td>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Noise level, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>-98.3</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Dynamic range, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>98.1</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0007</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0040</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Stereo crosstalk, dB:</strong></td>

<td>-97.4</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center">General performance: Excellent</h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Frequency response</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Frequency range</strong></td>

<td><strong>Response</strong></td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Noise level</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power, dB:</td><td>-94.0</td><td>-94.1</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>-98.2</td><td>-98.3</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Peak level, dB FS:</td><td>-77.6</td><td>-77.6</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Dynamic range</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range, dB:</td><td>+96.0</td><td>+96.0</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>+98.1</td><td>+98.2</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.003</td><td>0.003</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Intermodulation distortion</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.003</td><td>0.003</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Stereo crosstalk</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB:</td><td>-95</td><td>-95</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB:</td><td>-96</td><td>-96</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB:</td><td>-95</td><td>-96</td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<p><center><font size=1>This report was generated by RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.3</font></center></p>

96 - 16 ΒΙΤ

<h2 align="center">RightMark Audio Analyzer test</h2><br>

<h4 align="center">Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)<br>

Sampling mode: 16-bit, 96 kHz<br><br>

</h4><br><br><br>

<h3 align="center">Summary</h3>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:</strong></td>

<td>+0.03, -0.04</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Noise level, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>-98.0</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Dynamic range, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>97.8</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0016</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0059</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Stereo crosstalk, dB:</strong></td>

<td>-96.2</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center">General performance: Excellent</h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Frequency response</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Frequency range</strong></td>

<td><strong>Response</strong></td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Noise level</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power, dB:</td><td>-91.2</td><td>-91.3</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>-97.9</td><td>-98.0</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Peak level, dB FS:</td><td>-74.2</td><td>-74.2</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Dynamic range</h3>

</p>

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range, dB:</td><td>+93.5</td><td>+93.6</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>+97.8</td><td>+97.9</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.006</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.003</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Intermodulation distortion</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.006</td><td>0.006</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.004</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Stereo crosstalk</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB:</td><td>-89</td><td>-88</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB:</td><td>-95</td><td>-94</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB:</td><td>-94</td><td>-93</td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<p><center><font size=1>This report was generated by RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.3</font></center></p>

96 - 24 ΒΙΤ

RightMark Audio Analyzer test</h2><br>

<h4 align="center">Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)<br>

Sampling mode: 24-bit, 96 kHz<br><br>

</h4><br><br><br>

<h3 align="center">Summary</h3>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:</strong></td>

<td>+0.03, -0.04</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Noise level, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>-100.5</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Dynamic range, dB (A):</strong></td>

<td>100.2</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0016</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td>0.0046</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

<td bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align="left"><strong>Stereo crosstalk, dB:</strong></td>

<td>-94.6</td><td>Excellent</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center">General performance: Excellent</h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Frequency response</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Frequency range</strong></td>

<td><strong>Response</strong></td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Noise level</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power, dB:</td><td>-92.5</td><td>-92.6</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">RMS power (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>-100.3</td><td>-100.5</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Peak level, dB FS:</td><td>-74.2</td><td>-75.6</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Dynamic range</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range, dB:</td><td>+95.8</td><td>+95.8</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB:</td><td>+100.2</td><td>+100.2</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">DC offset, %:</td><td>-0.00</td><td>-0.00</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)</h3>

</p>

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.005</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">THD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.003</td><td>0.004</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Intermodulation distortion</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<td><strong>Right</strong></td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise, %:</td><td>0.005</td><td>0.005</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %:</td><td>0.003</td><td>0.003</td></tr>

</table>

<br><h4 align="center"></h4><br><br><br><h3 align="center">Stereo crosstalk</h3>

</p><p><br><table align="center" width="400" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1">

<td align="left"><strong>Parameter</strong></td>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB:</td><td>-86</td><td>-87</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB:</td><td>-93</td><td>-94</td></tr>

<tr align="center"><td align="left">Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB:</td><td>-96</td><td>-95</td></tr>

</table>

<br>

<p><center><font size=1>This report was generated by RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.3</font></center></p>

Conclusion

This soundcard made us a nice impression. Its performance is very good while the measurements that we did confirmed that there is a reason M-Audio has a good reputation in this field.

What we did not like was the response over the 20 KHz (96 KHz sampling), although we do have to admit that is not audible unless one uses a very good speaker system (that would cost significantly more than the card itself), therefore we won’t consider this as a major disadvantage.

This soundcard is a very good choice as far as external soundcards are concerned. Since it doesn’t utilize the PCMCIA it is easier to use. We faced no problems when installing the card, nor did we have any issue with the DVD and sound reproducing / recording programs. The sound produced was very good and far better when compared with a Revolution 7.1 soundcard of the same manufacturer. The end result was almost as good as the that produced by the WAMI Rack 24 of EGOSYS, a product clearly addressed for professionals.

If you have a need for an external soundcard the External Audiophile of M-Audio will most definitely satisfy you.

At this point we should thank the guys over at Smart Shop (tel: 2103820100) for providing this soundcard for our review.

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Testing the external firewire audiophile

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