SoundCards Recommended for Audio Measurement with SoundCheck®

SoundCheck works with audio input devices from a wide range of manufacturers. However, to ensure quality of measurement we recommend that you select from our recommended soundcards and data acquisition cards. All input devices sold by Listen are pre-tested and calibrated before they leave our facility to ensure your measurement accuracy.

For Desktop Computers: PCI Slot Interface  |  PCI Express

For Laptop Computers: Cardbus (PCIMCIA)  |  Express Card

Firewire Interface (Desktop / Laptop)

USB Interface

For Desktop Computers - PCI Slot Interface


Digital Audio Labs – Card Deluxe

2 Channel, balanced inputs and outputs, Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate. 
(must use driver on SoundCheck® CD or from www.listeninc.com)Card delux - Digital Audio Labs

  • I/O Connector: Balanced TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) ¼ inch jacks and Stereo S/PDIF (RCA connector)
  • Input Levels: ± 2.6 VP, ± 10.5 VP, jumper selectable on card
  • Maximum Input Voltage: ±20 Volts peak
  • Input Impedance: 5.4 kΩ (single-ended); 10.8 kΩ (balanced)
  • Input Dynamic Range: 110 dB typical
  • Output Levels: ± 2.6 VP, ± 10.5 VP, jumper selectable on card
  • Output Impedance: 600 Ω (single-ended); 300 Ω (balanced)
  • Output Dynamic Range: 114 dB typical
  • Input/Output Coupling: AC
  • Amplitude linearity: ± 0.3 dB
  • Amplitude Flatness: 20 - 20 kHz ± 0.25 dB
  • THD @ 1 kHz: 0.001% typical
  • Crosstalk @ 1 kHz: -110 dB
  • Phase Linearity: ± 5 degrees

 

Lynx Studio – Lynx Two

Model A: 4 inputs and 4 outputs - Model B: 2 inputs and 6 outputs - Model C: 2 outputs and 6 inputs. All with balanced inputs and outputs, XLR interface cable included. All support up to 200 kHz sample rate. Lynx 2 SoundCard for use wth SoundCheck

Analog I/O

  • I/O Connector: XLR connector cable , Electronically balanced or unbalanced
  • Level - +4 dBu nominal /+20dBu max. or -10dBV nominal / +6dBV max., software selectable in channel pairs
  • Bandwidth: (analog input to analog output)
    < 10Hz - 92 kHz @ 200 kHz sample rate
    < 10Hz - 46 kHz @ 96 kHz sample rate
    < 10Hz - 23 kHz @ 48 kHz sample rate
  • Input Impedance - Balanced mode: 24 k , Unbalanced mode: 12 k
  • Output Impedance - Balanced mode: 100, Unbalanced mode: 50
  • Output Drive Capability: 600 impedance, 0.2 µF capacitance
  • A/D and D/A Type: 24-bit, multi-level, delta-sigma
  • Sample Rates: 8 kHz to 200 kHz, including all standard rates with variable adjustment
  • Bit Depth: 8, 16, 24 or 32 bit file types

Analog Performance (Analog performance specs measured at 44.1 kHz sample rate, 24-bit, card installed in computer)

  • Frequency Response - Input and Output: 20 - 20 kHz, ± 0.05 dB at 44.1 kHz sample rate
  • Dynamic Range:  117 dB, A-wtd.
  • Signal-to-Noise (Input): 116 dB, A-wtd.
  • Signal-to-Noise (Output): 117 dB, A-wtd.
  • Channel Crosstalk: <-120 dB, 1 kHz signal @ -1dBFS
  • THD+N (Input): -108 dB (0.0004%) @ -1 dBFS, -104 dB (0.0006%) @ -8 dBFS, 1 kHz signal, 22Hz - 22kHz BW
  • THD+N (Output): -97 dB (0.0014%) @ -1 dBFS, -104 dB (0.0006%) @ -8 dBFS, 1kHz signal, 22Hz - 22kHz BW

Digital I/O:

  • AES/EBU or S/P DIF format, transformer coupled, XLR connectors on L2Sync Cable
  • Sample Rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
  • Bit Depth: 8, 16, 24 or 32 bit file types

 

Lynx Studio – Aurora 8 and 16Aurora 16 Multichannel sound card

  • Aurora 8: Eight inputs and eight outputs
  • Aurora 16: Sixteen inputs and sixteen outputs
  • Level: +4 dBu nominal / +20 dBu max. or -10 dBV nominal / +6 dBV max
  • Input Impedance: Balanced mode: 24 Ω, Unbalanced mode: 12 Ω
  • Output Impedance: Balanced mode: 100 Ω, Unbalanced mode: 50 Ω
  • I/O Connector: 25-pin female D-sub connectors, Tascam pinout standard, D-sub to XLR breakout cable (optional). Analog In 1-8, Analog In 9-16 (Aurora 16 only) and Analog Out 1-8, Analog Out 9-16 (Aurora 16 only)
  • Output Drive: 600 Ω impedance, 0.2 μF capacitance
  • A/D and D/A Type: 24-bit multi-level, delta-sigma
  • Sample Rates: All standard rates and variable rates up to 192 kHz
  • Requires AES16 PCI card or AES16e PCI express card
  • AC Power: 110 / 115 / 230 VAC

Analog Performance

  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.1 dB
  • Dynamic Range: 117 dB, A-weighted
  • Channel Crosstalk: -120 dB maximum, 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS
  • THD + N - Input: -108 dB (0.0004%) @ -1 DBFS, -104 dB (0.0006%) @ -6 DBFS, 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW
  • THD + N - Output: -107 dB (0.00045%) @ -1 DBFS, -106 dB (0.00050%) @ -6 DBFS, 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW

Digital I/O

  • Aurora 8: 8 inputs and 8 outputs, Aurora 16: 16 inputs and 16 outputs
  • 24 bit AES/EBU format, transformer coupled
  • Channels Aurora 8: 8 in/out in single-wire mode, 4 in/out in dual-wire mode
  • Aurora 16: 16 in/out in single-wire mode, 8 in/out in dual-wire mode

 

RME – Multiface II with HDSP PCI Interface

8 channel, balanced inputs and outputs. Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate.  External Interface BoxRME Multiface 2 for use with SoundCheck

  • Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
  • Dynamic range: analog input: 111.5 dB(A), analog output: 112 dB(A)
  • THD+N input: -98 dB (0,0012%), output: -97 dB (0,0014%)
  •  Analog level @ 0 dBFS (set by front panel switch): +2 dBV, +13 dBu, +19 dBu
  • Dynamic range stereo monitor output: 119 dB(A), 119 dBA, output impedance 30 Ohm
  • I/O Connector: 8 balanced line (1/4" TRS jacks)
  • Monitor output : Stereo (TRS connector)
  • Digital input format: SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer, Professional), ADAT optical - 1 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial (RCA)
  • Digital output format: SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer/Professional), ADAT optical - 1 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial (RCA)

 

 

For Desktop Computers - PCI Express RME PCI INterface

 

RME – Multiface II with HDSPe PCI Express Interface

8 channel, balanced inputs and outputs. Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate.  (See detailed specs above)

 

 

For Laptop Computers - Cardbus RME Cardbus Interface

 

RME – Multiface II with HDSP Cardbus Interface
8 channel, balanced inputs and outputs. Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate. (See detailed specs above).

 

 

 

For Laptop Computers - Express Card

 

RME Multiface II with HDSPe ExpressCard34 Interface
8 channel, balanced inputs and outputs. Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate.  (See detailed specs above)

 

 

Firewire Interface – Desktop/Laptop ( all computers with a Firewire (1394) adapter *)

RME Fireface 800

8 channel, balanced inputs and outputs. Supports up to 192 kHz sample rate. RME Fireface 800 for use with SoundCheck

  • I/O Connector:: 8 x 1/4" TRS, servo-balanced
  • Mic Input: 4 x XLR (Phantom power switchable)
  • Input Digital: 2 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
  • Output Digital: 2 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
  • Dynamic range AD: 109 dB RMS unweighted, 112 dBA
  • THD AD: < -110 dB (< 0.00032 %)
  • THD+N AD: < -104 dB (< 0.00063 %)
  • Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
  • Dynamic range DA: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA (unmuted)
  • THD DA: < -103 dB (< 0.0007 %)
  • THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
  • Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
  • Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
  • Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
  • Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
  • Supported Sample Rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz
  • Frequency response AD/DA: -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 21.5 kHz (sf 48 kHz)
  • Frequency response AD/DA: -0.5 dB: < 5 Hz - 43.5 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
  • Frequency response AD/DA: -1 dB: < 5 Hz - 70 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
  • AC Power: 100V to 230V AC

 
* Firewire adapter (on motherboard or adapter card):
Firewire audio devices appear to have a problem with computers that use NEC or Agere Firewire chipsets.
Texas Instruments chipsets are preferred. Toshiba chipsets also work well.

 

USB Interface – Desktop/Laptop

To date, Listen Inc does not recommend or support any USB sound cards. This is due to severe latency and repeatability issues with most USB sound cards that we have tested. We will continue to explore other USB options and will update this list if a suitable USB sound card is found.