Alesis AI-3 Converters VS Digi 002R Converters

[spicyitaliano]

Subject says it all.

What do you think will give better results? The reson why I ask is that I am out of digital options and I am considering feeding my Avalon VT-737SP into my Alesis AI-3 versus into one of the analog inputs on the 002R.

The Lighpipe may give better results at 48k than the 002R converters would at 96k? What do you think?

[spicyitaliano]

Bump? Anyone have some A/B tests they've done to compare?

[Chris Coleman]

I have admittedly not A/B'd the two, but if I had to blindly choose, I'd put my money on the 002r.

I don't know which converter chip the AI-3 uses, but the 002r employs an AKM chip that's standard issue on a few RME units, and they sound great (if you're not planning on using Mytek, Lavry, etc.)

As always, listening to both the units with your own ears is the best way to go.

[spicyitaliano]

This was actually spawned by the fact that I'm limited to the digital connections into my 002R, and so I was looking for the best route to get my single channel strip pre into the system, because I DO have an Alesis AI-3.

But I think I've found a better option. How about a Lucid ADA 8824 going into the ADAT lightpipe inputs. That's a fine A/D for the single channel pre that I needed to get into the system. What do you think?

[losttimestudios]

IMO the 002 convertors sound better than the Alesis AI-3.

[JFreak]

AI3 should be on par with 001's converters, but 002's converters are better.

[spicyitaliano]

Really? Hmmm...where are you getting this info? I don't doubt you at all, though. Just curious.

[iamspooky]

Aloha,
I had an AI3 and now I have a 002R.... No comparison, 002R are far better converters than the Alesis AI3.. IMHO

[spicyitaliano]

Well, that's three votes. Looks like the AI-3 is hittin Ebay soon. Thanks all.

[Chris Coleman]

But I think I've found a better option. How about a Lucid ADA 8824 going into the ADAT lightpipe inputs. That's a fine A/D for the single channel pre that I needed to get into the system. What do you think?

So, you're going to sell a $300 converter on eBay to help finance the purchase of a $2250 converter in order get one single channel into your 002r? That seems like a slight misappropriation of funds to me.

Why are you stuck with just the digital inputs? If you've got lots of analog I/O in your setup, how about putting some cash toward a patchbay and some decent cable/connectors? Then you can use what you need when you need it, rather than being hard-patched all the time.

If that's not an option and you still need to go in digitally - why not check out the Lucid AD9624? A fine two-channel unit that will handle one channel of audio just fine.

Oh and - out of pure curiosity, what is this mystery channel strip that must go into the 002r digitally? It's always been said that a good preamp into a sub-par converter will sound better than a lesser-quality preamp feeding first-rate converters. Which scenario applies here for you?