ASIO diagnostics
Device: ASIO E-MU 0404 | USB
Features:
Input channels: 4
Output channels: 4
Input latency: 22083
Output latency: 22216
Min buffer size: 88
Max buffer size: 22000
Preferred buffer size: 22000
Granularity: 44
ASIOOutputReady - supported
Sample rate:
8000 Hz - not supported
11025 Hz - not supported
16000 Hz - not supported
22050 Hz - not supported
32000 Hz - not supported
44100 Hz - supported
48000 Hz - supported
88200 Hz - supported
96000 Hz - supported
176400 Hz - supported
192000 Hz - supported
Input channels:
channel: 0 (Analog IN A) - Int24LSB
channel: 1 (Analog IN B) - Int24LSB
channel: 2 (SPDIF IN L) - Int24LSB
channel: 3 (SPDIF IN R) - Int24LSB
Output channels:
channel: 0 (Analog OUT) - Int24LSB
channel: 1 (Analog OUT) - Int24LSB
channel: 2 (SPDIF OUT) - Int24LSB
channel: 3 (SPDIF OUT) - Int24LSB
As we can see, the device supports all frequences through 44.1 to 192 kHz. ASIO applications will show 4 I/O channels reflecting physical digital and analog inputs and outputs.
Objective testing
For measurements the device was connected to Lynx Aurora 8 and also loopbacked.
As we found out, connecting the Lynx Aurora 8 and LynxTWO caused the level conformance problem. Lynx has switch for two fixed signal levels: -10 dBV / +4 dBu. Despite E-MU's max. level rated at +12 dBV, the amplitude was significantly lower than Aurora's +4 dBu. The -10 dBV mode introduced amplitude overload, so we had to reduce the signal. Perhaps, that was caused by discordant impedances of input and output stages. Therefore, measurements on Lynx Aurora 8 were conducted with -10 dBV signal level, which didn't allow to achieve rated SNR. But everything else was perfect. E-MU 0404 USB is a really top-class interface that doesn't yield to its PCI siblings.
16-bit/44.1kHz
| Analog output: E-MU 0404 USB -> Lynx Aurora 8 |
| Frequency response (40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: |
+0.03, -0.07 |
Excellent |
| Noise level, dB (A): |
-96.1 |
Excellent |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): |
96.3 |
Excellent |
| THD, %: |
0.0007 |
Excellent |
| IMD+N, %: |
0.0045 |
Excellent |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: |
-97.6 |
Excellent |
| IM at 10 kHz, %: |
0.0048 |
Excellent |
| Overall grade: |
Excellent |
24-bit/44.1kHz
| Analog output: E-MU 0404 USB -> Lynx Aurora 8 |
| Frequency response (40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: |
+0.03, -0.07 |
Excellent |
| Noise level, dB (A): |
-110.9 |
Excellent |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): |
110.9 |
Excellent |
| THD, %: |
0.0006 |
Excellent |
| IMD+N, %: |
0.0014 |
Excellent |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: |
-107.1 |
Excellent |
| IM at 10 kHz, %: |
0.0016 |
Excellent |
| Overall grade: |
Excellent |
24-bit/96kHz
| Analog output: E-MU 0404 USB -> Lynx Aurora 8 |
| Frequency response (40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: |
+0.01, -0.08 |
Excellent |
| Noise level, dB (A): |
-111.2 |
Excellent |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): |
111.1 |
Excellent |
| THD, %: |
0.0006 |
Excellent |
| IMD+N, %: |
0.0013 |
Excellent |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: |
-106.5 |
Excellent |
| IM at 10 kHz, %: |
0.0015 |
Excellent |
| Overall grade: |
Excellent |
| Analog input: Lynx Aurora 8 -> E-MU 0404 USB |
| Frequency response (40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: |
+0.01, -0.07 |
Excellent |
| Noise level, dB (A): |
-110.9 |
Excellent |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): |
110.9 |
Excellent |
| THD, %: |
0.0004 |
Excellent |
| IMD+N, %: |
0.0013 |
Excellent |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: |
-107.1 |
Excellent |
| IM at 10 kHz, %: |
0.0011 |
Excellent |
| Overall grade: |
Excellent |
| Loopback: E-MU 0404 USB -> E-MU 0404 USB |
| Frequency response (40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: |
+0.01, -0.06 |
Excellent |
| Noise level, dB (A): |
-113.4 |
Excellent |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): |
113.4 |
Excellent |
| THD, %: |
0.0008 |
Excellent |
| IMD+N, %: |
0.0010 |
Excellent |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: |
-108.1 |
Excellent |
| IM at 10 kHz, %: |
0.0012 |
Excellent |
| Overall grade: |
Excellent |
Interface characteristics are close to the rated and are on par with those of the best internal cards with a similar price. Our expectations were justified.
The card couldn't work in full duplex in the 192 kHz 24-bit mode - due to USB connection. Given the buffer was large enough, playback was flawless. However we still couldn't make the card record acceptably in this mode.
It would be logical to ask why install such codecs then, if you can't use them fully fledged? The answer is that top-end converters produce better results at more traditional frequencies (e.g., 44.1 kHz) - comparing to older models designed for lower frequencies. They left the 192 kHz mode intact, because it might still be useful for someone (and to gain better marketing momentum as well.)
Perhaps, the vendor should think over releasing a Firewire modification of the product with Crystal DAC. In that case it could compete with higher-end rivals. Perhaps, even with Lynx's interfaces.
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