Need more I/Os - STDM or ADA8000?

[oriweissman]

Hi all!
I have pulsar2 card, and need extra 2 analog outs, inorder to pass single tracks from my DAW into an external compressor/eq and back to the DAW.
The problem is I have a very limited budjet and therefore I have 2 options:
1 - buying the Behringer ADA8000 and use its line outs.
2 - buy a used pulsar/luna and connect it via STDM.

my questions are 2:
1 - will the STDM cable give me the option to also use the I/Os of the second card or only the DSP??
2 - which converters are better? those of the pulsar or those of the ADA8000? the quality in this case is important.

Thanks!
Ori

[next to nothing]

I can't comment on the ADA8000 but there are others here with the experience, i think it is recommended.

However, connecting a second card via STDM will give you access to all I/O.

[oriweissman]

thanks!
How is the STDM performance? is it stable?
I would please like to here also opinions from those (if there are) who have experience with both the ADA8000 and the pulsar2

Thanks again!

[ehasting]

I am using the STDM its rock stabile.. never failed on me.. it acts like you just expand your current scope card. Highly recommended.

Cant comment on the ADA8000 (using a Fostex VC-8 myself.. and its not very good.. rather muddy AD/DA).

[oriweissman]

thanks
Last questions please:
Can I connect a luna card to my pulsar2 via STDM? I will be able to use its ins/outs?
The luna has the same converters as the pulsar, only less DSP right?

Thanks!
Ori

[ehasting]

I have my setup like that.
Pulsar2 <-STDM-> Luna2
My guess is that the A/D D/A in the luna and pulsar is superb compared to the one you find in ADA8000....

I am considering getting another Pulsar2 card to extend the DSP to replace the Luna2

[oriweissman]

thanks

[dante]

I have 2 Lunas and one Pulsar2 connected via a single STDM cable and its stable. STDM connections max out at roughly the same project load as DSP depending on devices loaded of course.

So if 3 cards on one STDM cable work then 2 cards should work easily with DSP load maxing out way before STDM connections (again depending on devices loaded).

[oriweissman]

I need the other luna ONLY for its I/Os, not for DSP

[the19thbear]

I would definently go for the ada8000 via adat.
Its a great converter soundwise (build quility is pretty bad, but as long as you dont take it on the road, you should be fine), plus its nice to have the extra 8 mic pres if you end up really needing them (i would avoid them at all costs though, but they are there and they work!)
I personally prefer the ada8000 over the internal converters on the cards.

[dante]

If he used the card though and the external unit had SPDIF he wouldnt need converters. ADA8000 is good value though Ive often considered getting one.

[bassdude]

What quality are the outboard compressor/eq's? It may defeat the purpose if running through cheap outboard when a good internal plugin would be better to avoid the extra adda conversions, although I am all for outboard compression!

[oriweissman]

My preamp is the MILLENNIA TD1 - a top quality device which has also a mastering quality EQ. it can not be replaced with plugins..

I'm confused... I want the signal to pass through the best converters of those 2: ada8000 or the lunas/pulsars. I can get a luna card for 50$, less than 1/3 the price of the ada8000, and I realy don't intend to use the pres of the behringer. I also dont need 8 IOs - only 2. the big question is: does the behringer converters quality better then the creamware card?

Thanks

[garyb]

NO. the behringer, while an excellent value, is not as good as the Scope card. an ADA8000 might be pretty useful, though. buy an A16, older or newer(the A16 Mk2 is really good!), or an RME box at least if you need that many i/o and are proud of your mic pre.

S|C will be using an 8 channel Millenia HV-3R at the NAMM show and i have an older HV-3.

having a great mic pre and then buying cheap converters is pretty self-defeating imho.

[oriweissman]

I thought so but wasn't sure.
Thanks!

[dante]

Also remember the ADA8000 wont do 96Khz, the Scope converters will.

[oriweissman]

Ya, I'm going to buy the creamware, not the ada8000.
If you know someone who sells/gives an STDM cable then I need one.
another thing: to connect my pulsar 2 with another pulsar 2 how many STDMs do I need?

Thanks!

[dante]

If you get stuck re the STDM cable you can make your own

http://www.hitfoundry.com/issue_10/stm_mast.htm

[oriweissman]

Thanks
I talked with sonic core and they will sell me the STDM cable.
They told me I need only ONE cable in order to connect 2 pulsar-II cards.. is it true? just to b sure

[the19thbear]

yes