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Home » Knowledge Base » SDR-1000 Transceiver » Sound Card Setup & Configuration » Supported Sound Card Feature Descriptions

Supported Sound Card Feature Descriptions

Supported Sound Card Feature Descriptions

Supported Sound Card Feature Descriptions

System Dependencies
Minimum PowerSDR Version:	N/A
Applicable Hardware:	SDR-1000

Content provided by: FlexRadio Systems Engineering

NOTE: Consumer sound cards are no longer used by any FlexRadio Systems' products. This article is applicable only to the first generation software defined radio, the SDR-1000.

FlexRadio Systems recommends several high quality consumer sound cards for use with the SDR-1000 and the PowerSDR 1.x software. Deciding which one is right for you will require that you weigh the advantages of each device given your operating preferences. Below is a table which compares some of the main differences between the two devices.

Features	M-Audio Delta 44	Edirol FA-66	PreSonus FireBox
PC Interface	PCI Bus	Firewire (1394a)	Firewire (1394a)
Connectors	1/4" TRS	1/4" TRS XLR (mic input) RCA (line input)	1/4" TRS XLR (mic input)
Microphone Preamp	No	Yes	Yes
Separate Headphone Jack	No	Yes	Yes
Dynamic Range (DAC/ADC)	99 dB	107 dB	105 dB
Max Sampling Rate	96 KHz	192 KHz	48 KHz*
ADC/DAC Bit Depth	24-bit	24-bit	24-bit

* While the FireBox supports 96kHz, it does not utilize the whole 96kHz bandwidth for use with our products

In general, laptop users and high quality voice operators will probably lean toward the Edirol FA-66 due to it truly balanced inputs and high quality microphone preamps.

The Delta 44 is a solid economic choice for desktop users and those not as interested in voice modes.

Basic Soundcard Configurations:

Delta-44 : PCI bus card. It uses a breakout box for audio connections. No mic preamp on audio inputs. Audio inputs and outputs are not "truly" balanced.

FA-66: 1394a Firewire interface. Audio connections made directly to the soundcard interface. Inputs 1 & 2 have balanced mic preamps (using XLR connector). Audio outputs are balance (TSR or XLR connector). I/Q audio inputs are single-ended unbalanced with variable gain control (RCA connector).

FireBox: 1394a Firewire interface. Audio connections made directly to the soundcard interface. Inputs 1 & 2 have mic preamps (using XLR connector). I/Q audio inputs and outputs are either balanced (TSR or XLR connector) or unbalanced (TS connector).

Delta 44 Operating Characteristics:

The Delta-44 works best if placed in a PCI slot that is not sharing an interrupt with mobo or other PCI cards.
Breakout box is prone to ground loops (the Delta 44 breakout box eliminator kit by Eric - AA4SW helps here a lot).

Delta-44 Pros:

Because of the efficiencies of the PCI bus, this card consumes 50% less cpu cycles as compared to the FireBox.
It automatically senses sampling rate, so changing from 48K to 96K sampling rates is seamless.
Cost.

Delta-44 Cons:

It can not be used with a laptop.
Noticeable "DC noise" at the bottom of the 11025 Hz IF especially when using the 96K sampling rates.
External mic preamp needed with some dynamic mics.
Does not support 192K sampling rates

FA-66 Operating Characteristics:

The FA-66 also installed seamlessly in my computer and didn't require me to remove the PC cover.
It works best if you use a high quality Firewire cable with ferrite beads to reduce RFI and noise.
Soundcard interface can be remotely powered via 6-pin Firewire port or by a wall wart.
Edirol recommends a Firewire adapter that uses the TI chipset for optimal operation.

FA-66 Pros:

It can be used with a laptop.
Much less "DC noise" at the bottom of the 11025 Hz IF especially when compared to the Delta 44 & Firebox.
External mic preamp included.
Manual volume and gain control knobs on the external interface.
Greater dynamic range than the Delta-44 or Firebox. Variable input gain allows the user to setup the sound card for either enhanced strong signal handling or weak signal reception.
Balanced mic inputs (low noise and less susceptible to RFI).
48V phantom power for using condenser type mics
Higher quality A/D and D/A converters for greater dynamic range
Supports 192 KHz sampling rates
Integrated compressor/limiter to prevent over driving the A/D converter
Variable gain on the input which allows you to "tune" the sound card for either max sensitivity or strong signal handling capabilities

FA-66 Cons:

25% higher CPU utilization than the Delta-44.
It does not automatically senses sampling rate, so changing from 48K to 96K or 192K sampling rates is not seamless.
Cost

FireBox Operating Characteristics:

The Firebox also installed seamlessly in my computer and didn't require me to remove the PC cover.
It works best if you use a high quality Firewire cable with ferrite beads to reduce RFI and noise.
Soundcard interface can be remotely powered via 6-pin Firewire port or by a wall wart.

FireBox Pros:

It can be used with a laptop.
Less "DC noise" at the bottom of the 11025 Hz IF when using the 48K sampling rates compared to Delta 44.
External mic preamp included.
Manual volume and gain control knobs on the external interface.
Greater dynamic range than the Delta-44 (for better strong signal handling characteristics).
Balanced mic inputs (low noise and less susceptible to RFI).
48V phantom power for using condenser type mics

FireBox Cons:

50% higher CPU utilization than the Delta-44.
It does not automatically senses sampling rate, so changing from 48K to 96K* K sampling rates is not seamless.
Does not support 96K* or 192K sampling rates.
Cost

* 96K is not fully supported by PowerSDR

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