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reXet
Published on 01/17/08 at 02:03
Value For Money :
Poor
This is the third control device monitoring that I buy to fill the gap function at this level of my sound card RME Fireface 800.
I started with a Mackie Big Knob and I am separated thereafter. I gained so Nanopatch a temporary solution and I am finally with the Presonus Central Station today.
Unpacking it is first surprised by the shallowness of the rack, it does not exceed the fifteen centimeters. We understand better when you see the power supply: a proprietary connection format it is large and heavy. I would have preferred it to be integrated into rack left to make it deeper. But maybe having remote power helps eliminate interference in the unit.
When I plug the output of my RME Fireface 800 in analog and digital output (TOSLink) sound card built into my motherboard via the digital input of the Central Station. This is one of great interest for this device: it includes a DAC converter! And through this connection I let do the conversion work at Central Station rather than low-end chipset built into the PC.
Listening to the sound is perfectly routed without any alteration of the signal! Presonus seems to have taken care to compose a completely passive circuit in the interests of full transparency. To my ears it's very successful but hey I moderate my decision at this level because my homestudio has nothing to Abbey Road and my monitors are simple KRK V4. The D / A conversion is it excellent and I am delighted to take advantage of my audio chipset in this way for everyday use of windows (the RME is reserved for the computer music).
The facade is divided into six parts:
- A section with talkback microphone in front (it is possible to connect a dynamic microphone via the XLR input on the back of the rack) that I will not notice because I have no use in my home studio
- A section with two headphone outputs equipped with their independent volume control. The headphones have good momentum and pressing on their knob volume you can switch between the MAIN and CUE, practice! Note that these pots are slotted to adjust the volume by one level (the differential between each step is very short, it's still accurate and we do not find to look for an intermediary)
- Cue section allows you to select a different input to the MAIN switch between the two headphone outputs on the set just before.
- Section MAIN is a source switch (two analog inputs in jack, a digital or SPDIF TOSLink and finally an auxiliary RCA input level which is adjustable)
- Proudly displayed in the center a meter composed of 30 segments LED. He is responsive and accurate with the addition of a display of peaks (which can be reset via a button next to it). We regret only that the LED is very similar tend to illuminate the LED slightly following but it's still perfectly readable.
- Finally comes the part with the Speakers selection between three pairs of listening and basic functions of MUTE, DIM and MONO. Note also the presence of TRIM to adjust the level of each pair of listening. Finally at the far right of the rack you have the master volume knob that race (not serrated) is a perfect blend of softness and firmness.
In conclusion I am completely satisfied with my purchase. The Central Station has done its job of monitoring controller with the utmost respect for the signal. Add to that features like the pleasant DA converter, CUE Section / MAIN, etc..
The optional remote CSR-1 controls the remote interface by deporting the main settings (input selector, selector monitors, talkback and master volume) on a small mobile unit and connected via a long cable.
After this connect the two devices to synchronize except main control volume that is only functional on the remote. CSR-1 is built with the same concerns finishing the rack, can not fault it. We could just blame him to be optional and in addition to a high price!
SUMMARY:
+ Transparency of its
And durable finish
+ D / A converters quality
+ Range of connection (however, that damage is not XLR)
+ Sections headset complete with source selector
- Owner and bulky external power supply
- No power button (the rack is in use as it is powered)
- No possibility to mix two inputs on a single monitor output (although this option is possible on its little brother the Presonus Monitor Station)
- LED VU meter poorly insulated (that's to quibble vriament)
- CSR-1 Remote Control Optional
I started with a Mackie Big Knob and I am separated thereafter. I gained so Nanopatch a temporary solution and I am finally with the Presonus Central Station today.
Unpacking it is first surprised by the shallowness of the rack, it does not exceed the fifteen centimeters. We understand better when you see the power supply: a proprietary connection format it is large and heavy. I would have preferred it to be integrated into rack left to make it deeper. But maybe having remote power helps eliminate interference in the unit.
When I plug the output of my RME Fireface 800 in analog and digital output (TOSLink) sound card built into my motherboard via the digital input of the Central Station. This is one of great interest for this device: it includes a DAC converter! And through this connection I let do the conversion work at Central Station rather than low-end chipset built into the PC.
Listening to the sound is perfectly routed without any alteration of the signal! Presonus seems to have taken care to compose a completely passive circuit in the interests of full transparency. To my ears it's very successful but hey I moderate my decision at this level because my homestudio has nothing to Abbey Road and my monitors are simple KRK V4. The D / A conversion is it excellent and I am delighted to take advantage of my audio chipset in this way for everyday use of windows (the RME is reserved for the computer music).
The facade is divided into six parts:
- A section with talkback microphone in front (it is possible to connect a dynamic microphone via the XLR input on the back of the rack) that I will not notice because I have no use in my home studio
- A section with two headphone outputs equipped with their independent volume control. The headphones have good momentum and pressing on their knob volume you can switch between the MAIN and CUE, practice! Note that these pots are slotted to adjust the volume by one level (the differential between each step is very short, it's still accurate and we do not find to look for an intermediary)
- Cue section allows you to select a different input to the MAIN switch between the two headphone outputs on the set just before.
- Section MAIN is a source switch (two analog inputs in jack, a digital or SPDIF TOSLink and finally an auxiliary RCA input level which is adjustable)
- Proudly displayed in the center a meter composed of 30 segments LED. He is responsive and accurate with the addition of a display of peaks (which can be reset via a button next to it). We regret only that the LED is very similar tend to illuminate the LED slightly following but it's still perfectly readable.
- Finally comes the part with the Speakers selection between three pairs of listening and basic functions of MUTE, DIM and MONO. Note also the presence of TRIM to adjust the level of each pair of listening. Finally at the far right of the rack you have the master volume knob that race (not serrated) is a perfect blend of softness and firmness.
In conclusion I am completely satisfied with my purchase. The Central Station has done its job of monitoring controller with the utmost respect for the signal. Add to that features like the pleasant DA converter, CUE Section / MAIN, etc..
The optional remote CSR-1 controls the remote interface by deporting the main settings (input selector, selector monitors, talkback and master volume) on a small mobile unit and connected via a long cable.
After this connect the two devices to synchronize except main control volume that is only functional on the remote. CSR-1 is built with the same concerns finishing the rack, can not fault it. We could just blame him to be optional and in addition to a high price!
SUMMARY:
+ Transparency of its
And durable finish
+ D / A converters quality
+ Range of connection (however, that damage is not XLR)
+ Sections headset complete with source selector
- Owner and bulky external power supply
- No power button (the rack is in use as it is powered)
- No possibility to mix two inputs on a single monitor output (although this option is possible on its little brother the Presonus Monitor Station)
- LED VU meter poorly insulated (that's to quibble vriament)
- CSR-1 Remote Control Optional