Review of the Behringer ADA8000

[Tweak]

Review of the Behringer ADA8000

can be read here:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/reviews/revie ... a8000.html

excerpt:

If anything, my work here today is short. I just got one. I can tell you with certainty how it works here: Perfectly. I have not been able to say that in a log time about anything. I should tell you though that I don't intend to use it for the mic pres. (But I will test them and give you a quick impression). I bought the device to give me more analog line inputs for my collection of synths. I connect it to one of the ADAT inputs on my MOTU 896mk3. As advertised, it gives me 8 more analog inputs. These are on combo jacks, so you can plug in XLR microphones, TRS or TS line inputs. I am using a mixture of TRS and TS at the moment. My E5000 sampler and 3 proteus modules are connected. Even with the unbalanced inputs, the ADA8000 is not adding any hum or noise. The signal is quite nice and it sounds good and crystal clear.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--BEHADA8000


add comments below

[EnlightenedHand]

I think this piece is an example of how much quality can be had from a "cheap" piece of gear. I'm definitely not a Behringer fan for the most part. But when it comes to getting a decent signal into the box Behringer works just fine. There really is no need for spending a fortune, unless you have a fortune to spend.

For the record, I've heard and read nothing but good things about the ADA8000. I also know of some professional rooms that use them.

[axeman69]

I haven't used one in a studio setting, but I have seen them as extra inputs to digitial desks in live applications and they work fine. No noticable sonic degradation between the 8000 inputs or the live desk's inputs.

One of the things that Behringer got right along with their Powerplay headphone amp, of which I own two..

[Nanashi]

IF I ever get back into recording I think i'll buy one for my EMU, based on that review. A decentish pre, and some treatment would more or less cover most of my bases.

[lkipod]

Hi Tweak and all the others!

I've got a question about the ADA8000.
I've got the Delta 66 by now and want to make an upgrade so that I'll have more input channels.

Tweak I remember that you have been using the Maudio Delta 1010 and have enjoyed it. The question is if the DACs on the ADA8000 are sounding better than those of the Delta 1010?
I considered these two options:
1. Delta 1010
2. RME HDSP 9652 + ADA8000

What are your thoughts?

[jordancolburn]

I was thinking about the ADA8000 yesterday. It looked like a great way to add channels to my 003. The extra channels will mainly be synths, but I might need it for the occasional drum kit too. My first concern is that it would be great for a while, but I would decide the preamps were crap and have to spend a lot to upgrade and the ADA8000 would have been a waste of money. Your review convinced my that the 003, combined with the ADA8000 and a really really nice 2 channel preamp through spdif (on down the road.....waaaaay down the road) is pretty much all I will ever need. Thanks!

[Warhawk]

I was staring down the barrel of this one for some time a while back, but settled on the Digimax FS as an expansion for an EMU1212m. The Digimax has served me well, without a flicker, for a year and a bit now. I do occasionally wonder what life would have been like with the ADA8000 (or indeed the M-Audio Octane I originally wanted...) but I'd read the odd scathing review of the pres on the Behringer.

Still, if Enlightened and Tweak say they're okay then I guess they're okay... NOW I'm wondering if I mis-spent that extra money on the Digimax...

(I doubt it. )

[Tweak]

Hi Tweak and all the others!

I've got a question about the ADA8000.
I've got the Delta 66 by now and want to make an upgrade so that I'll have more input channels.

Tweak I remember that you have been using the Maudio Delta 1010 and have enjoyed it. The question is if the DACs on the ADA8000 are sounding better than those of the Delta 1010?
I considered these two options:
1. Delta 1010
2. RME HDSP 9652 + ADA8000

What are your thoughts?

In terms of conversion, my (totally subjective) impression is that the ada8000 is better, cleaner, more open. I think the delta (my delta 1010) sounded darker and murkier with the same synths and samplers, but this could be due more to the 1010s DA than its AD. I'm not using the DA converters on the ada8000 right now, and unless I go with a big 8 bus mixer in the future, I doubt I will need them. Like I said in the review, I don't intend to use the preamps, but it is nice to have that gain available. I was very impressed I could turn the gain all the way up, use my SM7b and not hear any noise. BTW, zzounds just lowered the price on the ada8000 another 10 bucks on some "warehouse select" units. Its @189.99 for them.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--BEHADA8000

[lkipod]

Thanks for the quick answer!

And Wow what a great price, too bad they don't ship worldwide.