Presonus 1394 Inspire DAC

[Rob]

Has anybody tried the Presonus 1394 Inspire pro audio unit as a DAC for a computer stereo system? Going by the specs, it could take advantage of 24/96 music files, and the price is very good. What interested me in a pro-audio interface was the good sound I got from an M-Audio Firewire 410 that I had in my system for awhile. I sure would like some opinions on the 1394 Inspire or any other low cost pro-audio DAC. The reason I am looking at pro-audio interfaces is; they seem to be considerably cheaper than DACs sold under the "audio" banner. Thanks for your help.

 

Rob

 

[VincentH]

I've compared the following pro-audio DACs side-by-side for a couple of weeks:

• Weiss Minerva ($5000) - DAC2 is the Pro version ($3000), identical sound
  
• RME FireFace 400 ($1300)
  
• EMU 0404 USB ($180)
  

 

The EMU did not sound bad, but After listening to the RME for 2 seconds I knew I would never turn the EMU on again. However with the next step up, the Weiss, the differences to the RME were much more subtle. I could only hear them on some types of music (complex classical works - better instrument separation) or when I really listened 'hard' (more power in lows, less sharpness in the highs).

 

I stuck with the RME for reasons of functionality and price / perf. I still may upgrade to a Weiss DAC2 someday, the unit has been improved since my auditioning (output level down, digital volume control added).

 

Hth, Vincent

 

[shenzi]

There's a review here

 

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul06/articles/inspire.htm

 

in fact, it's a good site for prowling round pro DACs.

 

[Rob]

Thanks for the lead. Looks like some good reading. My main goal for a DAC is for listening to a budget audiophile system at my computer.

 

Rob

 

[songswelove]

Hi Rob,

 

Were you still using this Inspire 1394 as DAC now? Just curious, even though this thread is 5 years old. Sorry if I am too late to join the conversation before. I just cleaned out my garage and found my Inspire 1394 and wonder if I should use it for DAC purpose (it was used to record audio of XLR mic) Thanks.

 

ps.. I am not a serious music lover like most of users here. I don't know 99.99% terminologies either. No fancy audio system... I am just curious if I can still make use of whatever I have owned so far and become creative with them for a while. Thanks in advance.