[Elecraft] USB sound dongle

[Jim Brown]

On 8/21/2012 7:48 AM, Barry LaZar wrote:
> However, 24 bits of
> quantization will get you a better dynamic range.

Not if the dynamic range of the analog electronics limits it, which is 
what Joe has pointed out. Often those extra bits are "advertising bits" 
-- they fool those who don't know any better into believing that more 
bits is better.  Actually, it's far more important to optimize the 
signal level that the A/D converter sees. That's why I like the Tascam 
USB interface better than the Numark -- it has a much greater range of 
gain adjustment and a clip light on the front panel. That allows me to 
easily optimize the 90 dB or so of dynamic range that its 16 bits provides.

Besides -- the 90 dB dynamic range provided by a decent 16-bit A/D is 
probably more than most hams will ever see at the audio output of their 
radios.  While the radio itself has much greater dynamic range, the 
WORKING dynamic range is limited by noise received by the antenna that 
is often 30-50 dB greater than the electrical noise levels inside the 
radio.

73, Jim K9YC