Computer Audio Asylum Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Computer Audio Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

Been playing with an Emu 0404 USB Versus a Lynx 2B

Posted by aljordan (A) on October 13, 2007 at 14:50:48

Hi,

I have been fooling around with an E-mu 0404 USB for the past couple of weeks, listening to it in contrast to the Lynx 2B I've had for some time. The Lynx 2B has 6 output channels and the E-Mu has 2 so I can't really use the Emu in my main system when I have the subs in place, but I did listen to both back and forth in a two channel configuration. For listening tests, I ran both cards directly into the amplifier in each system so I could hear the cards without the flavor of an intervening preamp. In one system I ran the cards into an H2O Audio S250 Signature, and in the other system I ran them into a Pass Labs X250.5, using balanced cables in both systems. Foobar with appropriate ASIO drivers were used for playback.

Soundwise, the Lynx seems to offer more detail than the Emu, and would probably be a more appropriate choice for a task like mastering. However, I prefer the sound of the Emu overall. It has a dynamic and sweet sound, kind of euphonic in comparison to the Lynx such as a tube amp might sound in comparison to solid state. It has a musical, dynamic, yet relaxing sound; I suppose I say relaxing because of a lack of edginess.

When I have compared other DACs, the ones that have sounded smoothest were generally tube DACs that, when tested, were adding a fair amount of distortion. So I figured the Emu must be adding some friendly distortion through its USB interface. So I tested each DAC through RMAA to see what might be happening, and I was surprised to see that overall the external Emu via USB tests better than the internal Lynx card. I ran a series of tests at 44.1 khz 32 bit and 96 Khz 32 bits looping the analog output of each card to the analog input of each. The Lynx at +4dbu outperforms the Lynx at -10dbu, and the EMu falls firmly in between the two on some tests and outperforms the Lynx outright on other tests. I realize that these tests do nothing in regards to predicting how a card might sound, but I was surprised to see that the smoothness of the Emu doesn't seem to be due to distortion as in some other equipment I've looked at.

The Emu seems to be a pretty cheaply built piece of equipment, but it sure does sound much better than its price would suggest it sounds.

Below are the figures of the Lynx at -10dbu, the Emu 0404 USB, and the Lynx at +4dbu, all looped from their respective DA to AD converters.

Alan

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---