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This comparison addresses the first four devices; we'll add the Grace Lunatec V3's data shortly.
If you have corrections to this document, please send them to:
UA-5: The UA-5 has both coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs and outputs and allows you to select (with a rear panel switch) which is active. Note that on input, the UA-5 is *not* bit-for-bit accurate and SCMS can not be disabled. When recording from the analog inputs, the UA-5 hardware only makes the USB output active -- the S/PDIF output is *not* active and so the UA-5 can not be used at the head of a daisychain unless your software provides a "live monitor" function (N-Track, Wave Lab and Cool Edit all offer this function).
Duo: The Duo has a S/PDIF coaxial output. Incoming analog signals are passed to the digital output so the Duo can be used at the head of a digital daisychain. It has no digital inputs.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me has one AES/EBU (balanced) output and one S/PDIF coaxial output. It has no digital inputs. Analog inputs are passed to the digital outputs for daisychaining. It offers sampling rates between 44.1 and 96 KHz, and word widths of 16-bits (44.1 and 48 KHz), 20-bits (44.1 and 48 KHz), and 24-bits (44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 KHz). It uses Apogee's UV22R algorithm for word-length reduction to 16 and 20-bits.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre 1.5 has both a coaxial input and output -- it *is* bit-for-bit accurate on both input and output. (The earlier USBPre model did not have an S/PDIF coaxial ouput.) It does not pass incoming signals to the analog or digital outputs and so can't be used for digital daisychaining.
The USBPre 1.5 does not provide 96 KHz sampling rates -- 48 KHz maximum.
UA-5: The UA-5 will operate and 24/96 over the USB interface. (It does not offer 24/88.2.)
Duo: The Duo will operate at 24/88.2 and 24/96 over the USB interface.
Mini-Me: While the Mini-Me can operate as a 24-bit/88.2 KHz and 24-bit 96 KHz standalone mic pre-amp/A-to-D converter, its USB interface is limited to a maximum of 24-bit/48 KHz -- it does not operate over the USB interface at 24/88.2 nor 24/96. (Note: We have one report of the Mini-Me successfully recording at 24/96 over USB.)
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre operates up to a maximum of 24/48 over the USB interface.
Duo: The Duo has two XLR mic inputs (max input: +16 dBV -- more than 4 Volts!) and two 1/4" line level inputs (switchable between -10 and +4, peak output: +2/+20 dBu). Each mic input has a level control and a switchable 20 dB pad (attenuator). Each XLR channel has its own level (full-range) control. The 1/4" inputs have no level control and no gain. All analog inputs are active at all times.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me has two XLR mic inputs. At its least sensitive gain settings (front panel knob set to minimum and eight internal jumpers set to low gain mode) max input is: +1 dBV [+4.5 dBu] -- 1.3 Vrms. At its most sensitive gain settings (front panel knobs set to maximum and eight internal jumpers set to high gain mode), max input is -57 dBu [~1 mVrms].
It also provides two line level inputs via the same two XLR inputs (max input: +28 dBu), and two TRS (1/4", part of the XLR jack) high impedance (Hi-Z) inputs for musical instruments.
Each of the XLR mic inputs has its own front panel level control. Each level control can be clicked into a "Calibrated" (line level) position for which a precision multi-turn pot then sets the gain.
It has no pads but eight internal jumpers, accessible by removing the cover, select either high (nominally +18 dB) or low gain (0 dB) modes.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre has two XLR mic inputs (max input: +5 dBV -- a bit less than 2 Volts), two 1/4" Line/DI inputs (peak output: +24/+9 dBu), and two RCA tape inputs (+9 dBu). Each channel has its own level (trim-only) control. Two buttons select the input for each channel; the two channels can have different inputs.
Duo: The Duo microphone input provides an input gain range of 60 dB and has a switchable 20 dB attenuator (pad) on each channel -- total 80 dB.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me microphone input provides an input gain range of 53 dB (12 to 65 dB of gain) and has eight internal jumpers to select high/low sensitivity (0/+18 dB) -- total 83 dB.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre mic input provides an input gain range of 43 dB and has a switchable 15 dB pad (not selectable for each channel) -- total 58 dB.
The UA-5 has a 24-bit D-to-A and outputs the results of a 24-bit conversion on its analog output.
Duo: The Duo has two 1/4" line outputs (switchable between -10 and +4), and a stereo 1/4" headphone output. Incoming signals are passed to the analog outputs so the Duo can be used for analog daisychaining. The stereo headphone output can be used for monitoring.
The Duo has a 24-bit D-to-A and outputs the results of a 24-bit conversion on its analog output.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me has an 1/8" headphone jack on the rear panel. On the front panel is a level control and a combination pushbutton/balance control that both selects mono or stereo output and controls the balance between the direct sound and the sound coming from the computer via USB port.
The Mini-Me has a 24-bit D-to-A and outputs the results of a 24-bit conversion on its headphone output.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre has two RCA line level outputs, and two stereo headphone outputs (one 1/4" and one 1/8"). It does not pass incoming signals to the analog outputs and so can't be used for analog daisychaining. The headphone output can be used for monitoring.
The USBPre has a 16-bit D-to-A and so only provides the result of a 16-bit conversion on its analog output.
Duo: The Duo provides drivers for Mac OS and Windows (98, ME, 2000, XP) [ASIO/EASI, MME, WDM, Sound Manager]
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me provides drivers for Mac OS (ASIO for OS-9.x; no OS-X support yet), and Windows (98SE, ME, 2000, XP) [ASIO, Sound Manager].
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre provides drivers for Mac OS 9.x (16-bit only), OS 10.2 (in beta only) and Windows (98, ME [16-bit only], 2000, XP; not NT) [ASIO, DirectSound, Sound Manager, CoreAudio]
Duo: The Duo will not do full duplex at 24/96 KHz, but you can select between 96 KHz play & record via the Duo Setting control panel.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me is limited to 24-bit/48 KHz operation over the USB interface and so can only do 24/48 full duplex.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre does not offer 24/96 KHz operation.
Duo: The Duo has both Signal (-6 dB) and Clip LEDs for each channel.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me has four LEDs per channel: -40, -12, -2 and "over."
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre has 6 LEDs (from -30 to 0 dB) to indicate level for each channel.
Duo: The Duo requires 9 VAC @ 1 A. (Core Sound can provide the Duo with portable power pack and carrying case.) Size: 1.75" (H) x 8.5" (W) x 5" (D)
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me requires between 6 and 16 Volts DC, 5.5 Watts total (roughly 475 mA at 12 Volts DC). Size: 1.5" (H) x 5.4" (W) x 9.8" (D)
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre is powered by the computer USB port (5 Volts at 500 mA maximum). It is the smallest of the three: 1.75" (H) x 7.25" (W) x 3.94" (D) [44mm (H) x 18mm (W) x 100mm (D)]
Duo: The Duo functions fully in standalone mode. Its mic pre-amps, A-to-D converters, S/PDIF output and headphone monitoring all operate even if the Duo is not connected to a computer.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me's functions fully in standalone mode. Its mic pre-amps, A-to-D converters, S/PDIF and AES/EBU outputs, and headphone monitoring all operate even if the Mini-Me is not connected to a computer.
USBPre 1.5: The USBPre is powered solely by the USB port and so does not have a standalone mode. When not connected to a USB port, it is off.
The UA-5 also allows a guitar (or other high impedance source) to be plugged into the second channel. The impedance of that input is selectable via a front panel button.
Mini-Me: The Mini-Me provides a selectable three curve compressor/limiter.
The Mini-Me allows two musical instruments (or other high impedance sources) to be plugged into the two input channels.
The Mini-Me can also function as a digital clock source, providing "digital black" data (all zeroes) at its four clock rates.
Duo -- List Price: $349.95 (Core Sound's price: $249, click here to go to the Duo Web page)
Mini-Me -- List Price: $1495 (commonly sold for $1250)
USBPre 1.5 -- Suggested Retail Price: $695 (commonly sold for $650)