Focusrite Penta Digital Card

[tucum]

Hi all, I have this Focusrite Penta, which I use only analogically. Do you think adding the a/d converter card would make the sound better on a 002r or are the converters just as good (or bad) as the 002r's? Thanks.

[pk_hat]

I had the Penta a few years ago, along with the digital card and the AD card was not better than the Digi001, which is what I had at the time. I did several tests and didn't want to believe it, but it was true, and that experiment thought me a nice lesson about gear, components, assembly, price point, hype and marketing, and the the reason why things that really make things sound better cost more. Needless to say, when I got my 002R, I sold the Penta as even the preamps weren't that great.

That said, I doubt the Penta's AD conversion would be any better than the 002R's, which to my ears, has significantly better sounding converters than the 001. Don't waste the $200 on the card, go analog and let the 002R take care of the conversion. Just my opinion, of course.