API A2D

[WestCoastCrush]

Allright boys, so I picked one of these bad boys up the other day. It's API so yes, it sounds great. Weird thing is, Analog A meters noise when turned up all the way, yet there is none to be heard. Furthermore, Analog B doesn't display this characteristic.

Naturally, I called API and they're fine folks, make no mistake. The service rep I spoke to assured me it was merely the meters and that with usage, the LEDs would stop lighting up for no reason.

Skeptical, I booted up the Tools and ran both pres and converters balls out into a pair of tracks to compare their noise content, both by ear and visually.

Amazing surprise of this unit? It's absolutely noiseless. Nothing on the waveform (fit to extreme view). Not to mention nothing to my ear (coming out of an MBox2 Pro, Monster Cables to a pair of KRK V8 (mark ones) sitting atop a pair of Primacoustic Recoil Stabilizers (i.e. not a totally garbage monitoring setup,) which is what really counts, in my opinion.

I'm not overly concerned and I believe API; it's their product, after all. They should know it better than anyone. The question I would like to pose to y'all is: Would you send it in, or stick with it?

 

[egan.]

Document your conversation with the tech, use it for a month, and if you still have issues send it in.

 

[Erlend_]

I have heard about meters needing to be calibrated but I guess thats only needed on
analog meters and not led's..

 

[fade_2_black]

Document your conversation with the tech, use it for a month, and if you still have issues send it in.

+1.

It is very unusually for digital equipment to need to be worn in - in the idea of comparing such meters to VU meters. Strange, but Ive never had the $$ For some nice API gear so I cant really speak from experience

 

[GuitarHack]

I have an A2D and mine does not do this. I can max the gain and no LED's light.

 

[The StabbinCabin]

I might be able to get one for $800. Curious if anyone thinks this would be a good investment? Firestudio/Digimax as my main i/o or if I should just wait and drop on A/D/A with more i/o for drums. Worth for the pres alone?

 

[egan.]

For the love of god do it. The pre's are $800/piece new to begin with w/o a chassis.

 

[derekmoffat]

Mine doesn't do this.

I might be able to get one for $800. Curious if anyone thinks this would be a good investment? Firestudio/Digimax as my main i/o or if I should just wait and drop on A/D/A with more i/o for drums. Worth for the pres alone?

GET IT. I use mine every day. Vocals, DI, Re-amp, overheads, etc. It gets used on almost everything. I paid $1450 for mine on ebay and I thought that was a good price.

 

[The StabbinCabin]

Right on

I know the whole clock discussion gets pretty hazy too, but do you guys think there might be any benefit using the clock and slaving my Firestudio to it? I'm going for it- I'm just wondering if there might be some slight improvement when I'm using the line ins for other pres when recording drums other than the 2 really good channels going in spdif.

 

[cfh11]

$800 is a steal for one of those if it is fully functional

 

[mickrich]

I've had an A2D for a few years now.
Amazing piece of gear.

 

[The StabbinCabin]

UGH

This thing is so fucking tight and I can't upload a picture of it