"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Heinz Kiosk" wrote in message


So... is this (surprising result to me) what the experts out there
would expect, and how much better are the more expensive PC cards eg
RME 968pad, lynxone, lynxtwo? In a permanent setup I would buy one of
the more expensive cards if they are audibly superior to the m-audio
2496. Or would I be better off taking a digital output from the 2496
card and using a separates DAC?

Welcome to the world of diminishing returns.

Yes, the AP2496 is a credible performer, particularly for consumers.
However, the conclusion that 10 times better technical performance
(LynxTWO)
would sound better at all, is unwarranted by the relevant facts about
human
perception.

Thank you Arny, I couldn't see the AP2496 on your PCAVTech comparison sheet
so I wasn't sure where it would fit in your measurements.

I think that you mean that it wouldn't be worth me buying a better PC card
as my ears will not up to hearing the difference when played through my
consumer (or any?) equipment... This feels like something I'd love to test
aurally but I think I am unlikely to be lent a variety of cards to
audition.... It goes against the grain of my past experiences with consumer
hi-fi that such a cheap DAC cannot be meaningfully bettered for CD sourced
data playback purposes. Anyone want to lend me a Lynxxxx?

Tom