Soundcard Test Results Thread

**maxpower** · 2007-06-07, 12:02

The first test is the Realtek AC97 onBoard Soundcard at my Shuttle FS 31 Intel Processor (Intel Celeron 3.2 GHz) SIS based Chipset Computer which is operated with Windows Vista Home Premium.

I would estimate that other Realtek-AC97 onBoard Soundcards working on Intel-775-Processor based Mainboards should perform similar.

I use the Elektor/AK-Modulbus Soundcard-Tester with a 9 Volt Batterie (19 kHz Signal) for this test. I will repeat the with the recommended 6 Volts within the next days.

As far as i can judge this soundcard uses stereo input, but it's not good in antialiasing. SNR Ratio between Noisefloor and Information-Signal seem to be ok for me eyes.

So this soundcard is maybe capable for standard DRM Reception, but not recommended for I/Q (e.g. Elektor SDR) use.

Stephan

(PS: Please write to me if you think that some of my suggestions are wrong)

Attached Files

**mitajohn** · 2007-06-08, 15:01

Hi all,

Here is my test:
On board SoundMax soundcard, AC97, Analog Devices AD1981B/Intel Mb/P4-2.66GHz/Chipset Intel Brookdale i845PE/W2kpro.
Home made tester at 6VDC. The results before and after calibration show that SoundMax is good for I/Q.

Attached Files

**dadalbinder** · 2007-06-08, 15:55

Soundcard SoundMax

Hallo,

nice test result. I am able to work with the SoundMax too. Normal working is by Soundblaster Surround 5.1 USB. You have an excellent value for difference between the two channels. Should work very nice on the receiver.

As far as I see till now, Realtek seems not to be able.

Audigy 4: My experience told till now, that this is not able. Lets wait for the test-device.

Wolfgang H., 49N28, 11E00

**mvs sarma** · 2007-06-08, 19:57

Originally posted by mitajohn

Hi all,

Here is my test:
On board SoundMax soundcard, AC97, Analog Devices AD1981B/Intel Mb/P4-2.66GHz/Chipset Intel Brookdale i845PE/W2kpro.
Home made tester at 6VDC. The results before and after calibration show that SoundMax is good for I/Q.

Hi Mitajohn,

please suggest whether the 'onboard' sound card of Intel 915GLVG mother board with ALC860 audio codec, Realteck 5.10.0.5413 software,HD audio controller and with directx 9.0C could be suitabe for DRM and SDR use. i could not assertain whether the antialiasing filter is available in the above combination and if so how to configure the same for SDR compatibility . Please help me

**mitajohn** · 2007-06-08, 20:32

Hi mvs sarma,

Is the audio driver correct? Intel site shows this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...%2032&lang=eng

You have to test the soundcard !

**maxpower** · 2007-06-08, 20:33

Ok, here's my next test: My old Soundblaster CT 4810

It seems to have a good antialiasing, but image-rejection isn't as good as at johns on-board-audio (which, btw, seems to be a really excellent audio-device!)

I think it should be suiteble for I/Q operations for starting, but not the very best choice for standard-operation.

Attached Files

**maxpower** · 2007-06-08, 20:38

Here's the next one: Sistermodel Creative Soundblaster Model 9916.

It doens't seem to have the same quality like the other Soundblaster model:an added carrier (low, but you can see it) is showing up on the right side of the spectrum. and i'm worried about the "foot" of the carrier-signal which is not very nice looking.

I am not sure if that would ruin I/Q reception because its not in the part of spectrum i normally would use for drm.

Attached Files

**maxpower** · 2007-06-08, 20:40

This is the result of my onboard C-Media cmi 9738:

The worst soundcard i have tested! Lots of carriers everywhere...

I say: Don't use this onboard-chip for I/Q or other SDR reception.

Attached Files

**maxpower** · 2007-06-08, 20:44

This is the older ALS 4000 PCI device. It's very difficult to find out best regulation for that card: if you set up volume to high, you get many carriers. If its to low, you will loose signal.

I would say: try it if you haven't got a better one, but try to change it as fast as you can. :-)

Attached Files

**maxpower** · 2007-06-08, 20:56

Ok, and here's the result of my audigy-4 soundcard. I think its a very ambivalent result: I hoped and thought it would perform better, particularly in 48 khz mode.

The carrier is at about -19 kHz and the spectrum till zero is ok, but on the other side there is a carrier which should't be there at +10 kHz! The next at +19 kHz is ok again.

I wonder why i can't null the image reception out as good as mitajohn at any device i have got. Or is it the ne555 at 9 Volt which messes me up in that problem?

Next test was in 96 kHz and at that rate the audigy worked very well without any aditional carriers (but only the multiples of 19 kHZ which is ok)

I found out some strange behavior: If i pull down the potentiometer to zero many carriers appear on the spectrum. Pull it up and they dissapear...

So, in result: Can i use it for I/Q operation or does the carrier at +10 kHZ ruin the signal in 48 kHz mode. And: can i run dream at 96 kHz?
Apart from that: How can it be that two same model-devices can be as different as mine and Wolfgangs device?

Attached Files

**mitajohn** · 2007-06-09, 09:02

Hi all,

Here is another test:
On board nVIDIA nForce2 MCP-T soundcard, AC97, Realtek ALC 650/Asus Mb/Athlon-1.66GHz/Chipset nVIDIA nForce2-U400/XP+.
Home made tester at 6VDC.
The results before and after calibration show that nVIDIA nForce2 MCP-T is another on board good soundcard for I/Q.

@Stephan. I believe that every good card for I/Q can be almost "zeroed", it is a bit tricky to find the best adjustment combination but it is feasible...

Attached Files

**mitajohn** · 2007-06-09, 10:26

Hi all,

Here is another test:
PCI/PNP soundcard Creative SoundBlaster Live! Player 1024/Asus Mb/Athlon-1.66GHz/Chipset nVIDIA nForce2-U400/XP+.
Home made tester at 6VDC.
The results before and after calibration show that Creative SoundBlaster Live! Player 1024 is a good PCI/PNP soundcard for I/Q with some minor byproducts.

Attached Files

**mvs sarma** · 2007-06-09, 11:05

Originally posted by mitajohn

Hi mvs sarma,

Is the audio driver correct? Intel site shows this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...%2032&lang=eng

You have to test the soundcard !

I had later updated the driver

**FritzWue** · 2007-06-10, 09:30

Creative X-Fi

The Creative X-Fi works with Line In,
but cannot be better optimized with the test generator as shown.
For real life result see my next post.
The only 3.5mm input socket cannot be used if switched as Mic In.
Disappointing at that price.

Soundcard Test Results Thread

Soundcard Test Results Thread

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