Small interface (usb/FW) with pristine sound quality? [edit]

[smalahove]

So I'm looking for a small USB or FW soundcard with pristine sound quality first and foremost. I have the following cards on my shortlist and, of course, would like an opinion :-)

EMU 0202 USB
NI Kontrol
Tascam US-122 L
Mackie Onyx satellite
TC Electronic Konnekt 8I have an Edirol UR-80 that does a great AD/DA job.
I plan to use it with Sonar 4.

Thanks :dude

[thesedaze]

What are you looking to use it for? DI? Mics? Are you looking for good built in mic preamps? AD/DA? Excessive gain on the mic pres? Do you need DSP support? How many Mic in's do you need? How many line ins? Outs?

You might better off searching for the term 'interface' rather than soundcard. Soundcards are typically what hook into your motherboard via PCi connection.

What's your price range? In all honesty, I wouldn't have chosen any of the ones you listed, but our intended uses may be different.

[GuitslingerTim]

So I'm looking for a small USB or FW soundcard with pristine sound quality first and foremost. I have the following cards on my shortlist and, of course, would like an opinion :-)


EMU 0202 USB
NI Kontrol
Tascam US-122 L
Mackie Onyx satellite
TC Electronic Konnekt 8I have an Edirol UR-80 that does a great AD/DA job.
I plan to use it with Sonar 4.



If 'pristine quality' ('"whatever that means" -- Kimock :D), means the best, Lynx is the ticket.

[smalahove]

What are you looking to use it for? DI? Mics? Are you looking for good built in mic preamps? AD/DA? Excessive gain on the mic pres? Do you need DSP support? How many Mic in's do you need? How many line ins? Outs?

You might better off searching for the term 'interface' rather than soundcard. Soundcards are typically what hook into your motherboard via PCi connection.

What's your price range? In all honesty, I wouldn't have chosen any of the ones you listed, but our intended uses may be different.

Good questions! :-)

Use: guitars, bass and mics mainly
good built in mic preamps: yes
Excessive gain on the mic pres: dunno?
DSP support: don't think so
I/O: 1-2 XLR and/or 1/4
Phantom powered: would be nice
connection: USB 2.0 or FW
price range: $100-400

[smalahove]

If 'pristine quality' ('"whatever that means" -- Kimock :D), means the best, Lynx is the ticket.

Lynx? You mean the Onyx? If so, do you have any experience with it?

Thanks :-)

[chrisgraff]

If 'pristine quality' ('"whatever that means" -- Kimock :D), means the best, Lynx is the ticket.

+1. I owned the 2B, and was very satisfied. You can find them used for around $500. Keep an eye on the gearslutz.com classified ads.

[smalahove]

Googled it up. Seems Lynx's a PCI card - I'm look for an external device/interface ...