"Don Pearce" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 19:46:12 +0100, "Paul" wrote:

I thought we were talking about a comparison with CD.
For my studio I use an M-Audio 2496 Pro audio card

Probably a M-Audio Audiophile 2496, which is really a consumer card. The
tip-offs to the intent of the AP 2496 lies in the RCA connectors. Not a bad
product and a definate cut above SoundBlasters. The sequel AP24192 is a far
more sophisticated device.

(no sound generating capability).

Most professionals and even advanced amateurs don't rely on the relatively
crude MIDI synth capabilities of even the more sophisticated sound cards.
They do the synthesis using software products like Gigasampler.

I'm very pleased with it.

No doubt. While not the ultimate in sophistication and not even at true CD
quality, its a working tool that is capable of sonically transparent
reprodcution.

No doubt I could do better but funds wont allow and I don't feel a need to
change. It does a fine job though and I would recommend it to anyone
involved with home recording etc.

The AP2496 is a good starter card that can keep on giving enjoyment for a
long time.

PC sound cards are inadequate but then, to be fair, they are not designed
for it.

The realm of PC sound cards is so diverse that it is impossible to reaonably
characterize its performance level as being just one thing.

Not designed for what?

Good question.

And as for PC sound cards being inadequate, you are very, very far
from the truth. Many PC sound cards these days offer unbelievable
levels of audio performance, which aren't effectively bettered by even
the best stand-alone boxes.

The best PC sound cards are so sophisiticated that they tax the ability of
modern test equipment to measure their technical properties. The better ones
can be used as parts of very effective and sensitive testing rigs.

The big differences between pro and am
gear are in facilities and numbers of simultaneous record/replay
channels.

....and the nature of the interfaces for electrical signals. In my book a
profesional grade audio interfece has I/O ports that are truely electrically
balanced and capable of operating at professional signal levels.