DAC-1 Vs. Apogee

[Kenny Gioia]

I'm just about to upgrade my Mix3 rig to a HD3 accel.

Right now I'm using a PSX-100 (not SE) for recording into Pro Tools instead of an 888 and using the PSX-100 D/A for monitoring purposes.

Most people feel that the A/D on the 192kHz interface is comparable to the A/D on the Apogee.

But,

1. Should I sell my PSX-100 and get a DAC-1 for playback or

2. Should I just use the 192kHz interface for Playback or

3. Should I just keep using my Apogee for Playback (or even use the A/D too).

Thanks

[DigiGeek]

I have heard both the Mini-DAC and the DAC-1. The Mini-DAC is much better than the DAC-1 in my opinion. The Mini-DAC has better imaging, tighter bass and improved lower midrange over the the DAC-1. The DAC-1 is not all that accurate. It is very hyped.
The DAC-1 also uses sample rate conversion for jitter attenuation, which is not a good thing.

The PSX-100 is a good converter, but sounds much better with the SE upgrade. Another option would be to get a Big Ben and use it to clock your PSX-100, which should improve it's performance substantially.

[Rob Aubrey]

HI

I just upgraded to the ROSETTA 800 it is stunning! When the digidesign option card becomes available (it might be out already in the US but I am in the UK so always a bit later) it will be a credible alternative to the other devices you mention.

ROB

[kurt]

HI

I just upgraded to the ROSETTA 800 it is stunning! ROB

From what?

[audiaudio]

Produceher,

Before I upgraded to HD, I was in a situation like yours. I used a PSX-100 for A|D and its D|A for monitoring.

After I heard the 192, I sold my Apogee. It wasn't better than the 192, so I felt I had no reason to keep it.

I'd suggest that you do the upgrade, listen to the 192, then decide whether or not you need to hang on to the PSX-100.

You can always sell it after your upgraded system is up and running.

[michael c]

I was in the same situation as you when I upgraded to HD last year. I kept the PSX-100, not because I thought the convertors sounded any better than the 192, but I did feel that everything sounded better when I clocked it to the Apogee rather than 'Internal' clock. It was not overwhelming, but yet quite apparent.

Not sure how much dough I would get these days for the Apogee as well, so we still use the PSX-100.

Good luck.

[Kenny Gioia]

It was overwhelming, but yet quite apparent..

Good luck.

I really don't mean to offend, but the word "BUT" usually implies something different.

Did you mean:

1. It was NOT overwhelming, but yet quite apparent.

or

2. It was overwhelming, and quite apparent.

Please rephrase.

Thanks

[michael c]

Uh, sorry........ meant to say "Not overwhelming". Had to set up for a session this morning and I didn't proof read my reply.

FWIW, everyone over here definitely could hear a difference between being clocked by the Apogee vs the 'Internal' setting/192. It wouldn't be enough for me to go out and purchase a PSX-100 just because of this; but since I already owned the piece, I decided it was worth keeping.

[fifty8th1]

We bought a Apogee Trac2 for a variety of reasons....one was it added two more needed imput tracks to Protools. The best part of the whole Trak2 was the clock...ok ..everything was good about the trak2 but wow ..... the CLOCK. This was a bonas we knew nothing about during the purchase. The manual said to clock the 888-24 from the Trak2 and it sure was right. We now have purchased a Big Ben ..

[imastering.com]

The best DA for zee money is the little Benchmark...Apogee is colored...tight sound and all that stuff is true...but is not totally transparent...sort of a neve pre. Benchmark would be more like a Millenia pre.
Yes, engineers who love apogee are in good company. It is also true that most who choose to stay with it for sonic reasons do so because they like such 'flavor'.
For the money, the best AD's are the Hd 192's
For accuracy and transparency my vote is with the Benchmark DA, plus you get a very nice headphone amp.

Art