If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

Thanks for the input.

JJSmithin wrote:
If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

No. In fact, if one of them have 85 dB, you probably wouldn't notice
the difference.

Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.

Yes, but which one sounds better?

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

It's not worth paying money for the dynamic improvement. But it might
be worth paying money for a lot of other things that won't be on the
data sheet. The numbers on the data sheet don't relate very much at
all to sound quality. If they did, manufacturers would take them off
the data sheet for fear their equipment would look worse than someone
else's.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

"JJSmithin" wrote in message oups.com...

If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

IMHO, if you can't do everything you need to do with 90dB of dynamic
range... someone, somewhere, doesn't have a clue about gain structure
or a serious understanding of what a noise floor is.

Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.

Again, IMHO, it's going to be the interface that most fits your requirements
for interfacing the software world with the hardware world.

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G.

It may not be any improvement at all.... with that kind of dynamic range,
what difference is one bit if you're keenly aware when setting your input
levels to begin with?

You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

It would seem to me that there has to be more to it than just gaining
another half a bit of recording level for $100.

--
David Morgan (MAMS)
http://www.m-a-m-s DOT com
Morgan Audio Media Service
Dallas, Texas (214) 662-9901
_______________________________________
http://www.artisan-recordingstudio.com

http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/PCI/Layla3G/specs.php

http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=54&page=1

While the specs 'may' be a toss up, from a quick glance I'd say the Layla 3G
is the better value and worth the extra $100 :

nicer looking layout
physical volume knob for headphone out ( none on ESP )
actual knobs for mic input level ( ESP appears to just give you a short
piece of the pot shaft )
three mic input level LEDs ( ESP may have one or none, hard to tell from
picture )
balanced analog output ( ESP is only unbalanced out )
insert jacks for inputs 1 and 2 ( can't tell if ESP has any or not )
S/PDIF and MIDI connectors on back panel ( ESP uses a breakout cable )
support for both Windows and Mac OS ( ESP only supports Windows )
better support based on manual downloading correctly ( ESP manual and tif
images both had errors and couldn't open )
company longevity ( Echo has been around 21 years, ESI only about 7. )

Also, you should really try to find information on how well each system's
drivers and software work on the OS you are planning on using.

Best of luck.

--
John L Rice


"JJSmithin" wrote in message
oups.com...
If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

Thanks for the input.

JJSmithin wrote:
If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

Possibly if you are trying to record a mic without a pre-amp
and make up the gain digitally.


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

One of the most important things is not even listed in specs.. Drivers!
Echo products will have much better drivers and probably better support.
Max Arwood

"JJSmithin" wrote in message
oups.com...
If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

Thanks for the input.

In article .com writes:

If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
for the home recording setup?

No, but they're probably both stretching the practical side of the
truth. The one claiming 107 dB is probably lying less.

It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.

No, you're paying $100 for a difference in packaging, controls,
interfaces, and drivers. It's very difficult to assess the dollar
value of these. You can decide on the physical part pretty easily (but
consider the future, not just what you have right now) but the drivers
are something else. Sometimes they're painless, other times it's a
real struggle to get an interface working with a particular computer.
Echo has a good reputation for ease of installation and compatability
other than with things that they specifically say to avoid. I don't
know how the emu fares here.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo