A Prima Donna on PC: Creative Labs Audigy 2
Audigy 2: Input/ Output Quality, Continued
Parameter | Left | Right |
---|---|---|
IMD + Noise, %: | 1.482 | 1.393 |
IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %: | 1.333 | 1.253 |
Parameter | L <- R | L -> R |
---|---|---|
Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB: | -80 | -80 |
Crosstalk at 1 kHz, dB: | -84 | -84 |
Crosstalk at 10 kHz, dB: | -76 | -82 |
For your information, the restored sound is of the same quality on the card's three analog outputs, apart from a definite drop of about 10 dB in the signal-to-noise ratio on output 3. This does not stop this output from being better than the main outputs on middle-range sound cards.
Here are the 16 bit/ 48 kHz results:
Results Right Mark Audio Analyser | ||
---|---|---|
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.05, -0.17 | Very good |
Noise level, dB (A): | -96.6 | Excellent |
Dynamic range, dB (A): | 92.1 | Very good |
THD, %: | 0.0032 | Very good |
IMD, %: | 0.0095 | Very good |
Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -89.2 | Excellent |
The following results show the quality of the Audigy 2 in 24 bit/ 96 kHz recording via the line-in stereo input. The test line was: DMX 6Fire 24/ 96 Stereo Out - Audigy 2 line in.
Results Right Mark Audio Analyser | ||
---|---|---|
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.01, -0.11 | Excellent |
Noise level, dB (A): | -90.1 | Very good |
Dynamic range, dB (A): | 87.7 | Good |
THD, %: | 0.0022 | Excellent |
IMD, %: | 0.014 | Very good |
Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -74.8 | Good |
So no trouble with recording then; the Audigy 2 is a good card for 24 bit/ 96 kHz recording. The subjective tests also showed that a significant effort has been made with recording from an analog source. The sound is a bit less "plump" with less coloration than on the previous cards, and benefits from the extra precision of the 24 bit/ 96 kHz.
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