Universal Audio Volt 2 vs Audient ID14mkII Converters

[Richard Stringer]

Does anyone know for definite (without guessing) which has the best sound quality converters oiut of the Universal Audio Volt 2 and Audient ID14mkII? I don't care about features or anything else I just would like to know which has the best converter quality, thanks.

[Drew Stephenson]

Unfortunately neither of those have made it onto Hugh's test-bed yet https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=79727

[Wonks]

Surely you really mean the whole package rather than just the converters? You can’t take the preamps and support circuitry out of the equation as the line inputs are padded down and run through the mic pres.

If you want a technical spec increase in basic converter quality, then you probably need to spend at least 5x the cost of these units, and even then you probably won’t hear a difference as converter technology is so mature now that even the cheapest units are more than good enough in that respect. Yes, the S/N ratios and dynamic range can be bettered by a few dB, but unless you are recording in a soundproofed anechoic chamber, I doubt if it would make a bit of difference. You are already at the point where basic thermal noise determines the noise floor.

So look at the whole package and sound, not just at converter specs.

[Richard Stringer]

Whole packagae no, just the coverters. I don't care what feature an audio interface has because I don't buy audio interfaces for feature I only use them for their converters and the ability to use them to record audio nothing more. I'm not that interested in specs, not a lot anyway because to me it's about how an audio interface sounds.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Does anyone know for definite (without guessing) which has the best sound quality converters oiut of the Universal Audio Volt 2 and Audient ID14mkII?

Impossible question to answer. Sound quality is subjective. You can compare performance specs for converter chips, but (a) different people prioritise different specs and (b) there's no guarantee that claimed performance in isolation can be achieved in a complete product.

And that reveals an important point which Wonks has mentioned: you can't access the converters in isolation. You have to include the analogue input / output circuitry which will may have a far more significant influence on 'sound quality' than the actual converter chip.

Over the years I have found the dynamic range performance to be a fairly reliable indicator of overall accuracy (not musically enhanced or coloured) and technical performance.

Looking at the published specs, it appears the Audient unit is capable of a significantly greater dynamic range than the Universal one, although I don't think those paper specs are actually directly comparable. In reality, the differences are rather smaller than the raw numbers imply. Nevertheless, it seems to me that the Audient has better converter performance.

However, in reality, even the worst measuring converters on the market today offer far better sound quality than is required in any normal home studio application. To all intents and purposes, comparing converters is irrelevant, and purchase decisions are more sensibly based on things like feature sets and support... or sound character if you prefer less accurate but musically enhanced recordings.

In my experience, Audient have always favoured accuracy and fidelity, whereas Universal like a little bit of musical flattery.

At the end of the day, it's your ears and your preferences. If sound character is your only deciding factor you'll have to try and listen for yourself.

[Richard Stringer]

When I said converter sound quality I meant which one has the best sounding recorded audio. By best sounding I mean the clearest sound, or the most accurate to how the original audio source sounds.

[Wonks]

Whole packagae no, just the coverters. I don't care what feature an audio interface has because I don't buy audio interfaces for feature I only use them for their converters and the ability to use them to record audio nothing more. I'm not that interested in specs, not a lot anyway because to me it's about how an audio interface sounds.

I think you need to look into audio interfaces and recording a bit more before making statements like that.

You simply can’t ignore the preamp/line input quality when talking about recording quality. You could have the best A/D converters in the world but they’ll just accurately pass on the sound from the preamp. And if that isn’t good, then the recording will sound bad.

Very few interfaces these days have anything but competent preamps, but some have excellent ones and a few have superlative ones. But even still, the AI’s overall sound quality is a very small part of getting a good recorded performance. For a new AI, the A/D chip used provides an almost negligible contribution.

[Hugh Robjohns]

They're all good and, assuming you're not overloading or recording at ridiculously low levels, I doubt anyone would reliably tell the difference between any current interface.

In terms of 'the most accurate sound' they all have THD figures which are below audibility in most cases.

But, if accuracy and fidelity is your aim, I'd choose the Audient if your shortlist is those two units.

[Richard Stringer]

Thanks, that's the kind of response I was looking for, which would be more accurate and which would be more colourful.

[Hugh Robjohns]

problem solved!

[Wonks]

In lieu of any SOS test results on the here are Julian Kraus' reviews and test results on the UAD Volt 2 https://youtu.be/wlp7h-cQU40
and the Audient ID4 Mkii https://youtu.be/sXDn2CPoaMQ

Providing you aren't using the mic preamp at its maximum gain, it looks like the UAD Volt 2 (in non-vintage mode) has the very slightly flatter response over the audible frequency range, but the differences are very slight and any microphone used will affect the sound far more than the preamp will.

Overall, the ID4Mkii has the better performance specs, though both are very good.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Providing you aren't using the mic preamp at its maximum gain, it looks like the UAD Volt 2 (in non-vintage mode) has the very slightly flatter response over the audible frequency range, but the differences are very slight and any microphone used will affect the sound far more than the preamp will.

I always get nervous when I see pronounced roll-offs at the frequency extremes when preamps are set at maximum gain. It indicates a lack of gain-bandwidth product in the amplifier stages which translates directly to cut corners in the design. It really shouldn't happen in this day and age, yet it's still a common sight, even in seriously expensive big-name brands (I'm looking at you, Neumann!). Yet it doesn't happen in skillful designs, even relatively inexpensive ones (check out my reviews of Cranborne's preamps, for example).

Overall, the ID4Mkii has the better performance specs, though both are very good.

I agree.

For someone who places sound accuracy above all else, it seems odd that the Volt is option B on the shortlist since it's major selling point is its vintage sound mode...

[orange]

This is mentioned in Julian Kraus' excellent review, but it's worth noting is that you can't simply download drivers or firmware update for the Volt series of interfaces.

To install, you have to register at the UA website, install UA connect on your PC/Mac, which then auto runs various services at boot. It's an unnecessary and invasive process IMO and after all this it still doesn't give you a standalone driver install that you can use elsewhere - so useless if your PC/Mac is 'offline'.

The interface is class compliant so strictly speaking no need to do this if you want to use on a Mac.

You can uninstall UA connect after the driver install, but the uninstall isn't very clean and leaves bits of junk over your system (fortunately this untidiness means it leaves the Volt driver behind too )

For that reason alone I'd go with the Audient.

[sonics]

To install, you have to register at the UA website, install UA connect on your PC/Mac, which then auto runs various services at boot.

That is very useful to know. UA is definitely struck off my interest list now. That is completely unnecessary. AVID do similar things with Pro Tools and Sibelius.

[Richard Stringer]

Providing you aren't using the mic preamp at its maximum gain, it looks like the UAD Volt 2 (in non-vintage mode) has the very slightly flatter response over the audible frequency range, but the differences are very slight and any microphone used will affect the sound far more than the preamp will.

I always get nervous when I see pronounced roll-offs at the frequency extremes when preamps are set at maximum gain. It indicates a lack of gain-bandwidth product in the amplifier stages which translates directly to cut corners in the design. It really shouldn't happen in this day and age, yet it's still a common sight, even in seriously expensive big-name brands (I'm looking at you, Neumann!). Yet it doesn't happen in skillful designs, even relatively inexpensive ones (check out my reviews of Cranborne's preamps, for example).

Overall, the ID4Mkii has the better performance specs, though both are very good.

I agree.

For someone who places sound accuracy above all else, it seems odd that the Volt is option B on the shortlist since it's major selling point is its vintage sound mode...

Well I included the Volt 2 because from what i've seen you don't have to engage vintage mode and Universal Audio has a reputation for great sound audio interfaces. The one I really want is Antelope Audio Zen Synergy Go but it's out of my price range for now, I might be able to save up and buy one later this year and then use the ID14mkII as a DAC for my computer in my bedroom for listening to music and watching documentary programs. Currently I have a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 100, it was on it's way out with audio cutting out but it seems to be ok now, I think it goes through phases where it starts playing up all day everyday then is ok for a week or month. Then starts cutting out again.

[Rene Asologuitar]

Does anyone know for definite (without guessing) which has the best sound quality converters oiut of the Universal Audio Volt 2 and Audient ID14mkII? I don't care about features or anything else I just would like to know which has the best converter quality, thanks.

++++++++++++++++++
I bought my UAD Volt2/76 last year, and I simply love the quality of the sound.
There vintage mic preamp and compressor works great with my recordings.
I love this UAD dig con.