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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
The Audiophile 2496 embodies a quantum leap in computer audio fidelity and performance unequaled by other audio cards in its price range. This critically acclaimed PCI card features premium digital audio converters, elegant board design, and ultra-stable drivers just like the rest of the Delta line, but with a simpler I/O configuration. As a member of the Delta family, the Audiophile 2496 supports all computer platforms and major software programs, ensuring seamless integration and rock-solid performance. See why the Audiophile 2496 is one of the best-selling digital audio cards in the industry.
 One of the best-selling digital audio cards in the industry. Click to enlarge. |
 Includes Ableton Live Lite music production software, so you can make music right away. Click to enlarge. |
 Break-out cable with S/PDIF audio and MIDI. |
36-bit Embedded DSP
All Delta cards contain a 36-bit embedded DSP enabling a software-driven patchbay/router for all analog and digital I/O--all with extremely fast throughput for low-latency software monitoring. A single unified control panel provides settings for clock and sample rates, buffer sizes, individual signal levels for every input and output, adjustable +4dBu/-10dBV pad controls and digital I/O control on up to four installed Delta cards. All controls are also easily accessible through most professional audio software applications for seamless integration and operation.
2 x 2 Analog I/O
Accepts common unbalanced audio on gold-plated RCA jacks.
24-bit/96kHz Fidelity
The 2496 features 24-bit/96kHz converters with a 100dB dynamic range.
S/PDIF Digital I/O with 2-channel PCM
Get CD-quality sound from devices with S/PDIF outputs.
SCMS copy protection control
Allows a recording device to successfully record the audio data.
AC-3 and DTS Pass-Through
The S/PDIF digital I/O supports surround-encoded audio, for sending surround sound to your home theater.
1 x 1 MIDI I/O
The 2496's break-out cable features 1 x 1 (16-channel) MIDI operation.
Zero-Latency Monitoring
Monitor your audio signals without delay.
Ableton Live Lite Included
Ableton Live Lite delivers much of the functionality of Ableton Live--the revolutionary, multi-award winning music production solution that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments--as well as your digital audio recordings and MIDI sequences--together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use.
What's in the Box
Audiophile 2496 PCI adapter card, Break-out cable for S/PDIF and MIDI connections, Software CD, User's Manual
Product Description
4 In-4 Out PCI Digital Recording Interface with MIDI / All-in-one HiFi soundcard for multitrack recording to home-theater
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is TRULY an audiophile 2-channel card. I purchased it to transfer some music on vinyl to digital format from a high-end turntable, and it has done that remarkably well. Another pleasant surprise is the quality of playback on the computer - the subwoofer really 'came to life'. Even my 128k i-tunes stuff sounds TOTALLY different even on my [high-end] computer speakers.
That being said, here's some tips:
1) Get & install latest drivers for your OS from the M-Audio website before doing ANYTHING else - then shut down & unplug PC and install the card.
2) Feel free to ignore ALL software in the package - I'm recording & playing back fine without it. Everyone should check out the free "Audacity" recording/editing package.
3) For best results, use good cables. I'm using Audioquest Mini-1 to go from card to computer speakers, and Audioquest G-Snake to go from turntable phono box to the card. These 2 cables (in 2-meter lengths) cost about the same as the card. :-(
4) Can probably co-exist with your previous sound setup - just make sure you go through the various Windows Control Panel areas and define which to use for what. Same is true for most applications - check the preferences to use the right card/audio system.
Also, I'd like to address some 'negative' comments I've seen here & elsewhere:
A) Comes with old manuals & drivers: TRUE - but website is very complete & up-to-date - they had all Windows variants covered pretty well, except maybe 64-bit Vista.
B) Takes over (removes) Windows volume controls: TRUE - and good riddance! All playback apps have volume controls, plus theres the physical knob on most speakers - who needs more of them interacting and complicating things?
C) No 1/8" (3.5mm) jacks: TRUE - that connection is for "toys" - this card has gold-plated stereo RCA connectors - plus MIDI & S/PDIF connectors!
D) No surround/gaming modes: TRUE, but can co-exist with another consumer sound card or (as I'm doing) on-board audio (see my tip 4 above).
Bottom line - if 2-channel stereo is your 1st priority - check the website for the drivers you need and, if they have you covered, BUY THIS CARD!! :-)
That being said, here's some tips:
1) Get & install latest drivers for your OS from the M-Audio website before doing ANYTHING else - then shut down & unplug PC and install the card.
2) Feel free to ignore ALL software in the package - I'm recording & playing back fine without it. Everyone should check out the free "Audacity" recording/editing package.
3) For best results, use good cables. I'm using Audioquest Mini-1 to go from card to computer speakers, and Audioquest G-Snake to go from turntable phono box to the card. These 2 cables (in 2-meter lengths) cost about the same as the card. :-(
4) Can probably co-exist with your previous sound setup - just make sure you go through the various Windows Control Panel areas and define which to use for what. Same is true for most applications - check the preferences to use the right card/audio system.
Also, I'd like to address some 'negative' comments I've seen here & elsewhere:
A) Comes with old manuals & drivers: TRUE - but website is very complete & up-to-date - they had all Windows variants covered pretty well, except maybe 64-bit Vista.
B) Takes over (removes) Windows volume controls: TRUE - and good riddance! All playback apps have volume controls, plus theres the physical knob on most speakers - who needs more of them interacting and complicating things?
C) No 1/8" (3.5mm) jacks: TRUE - that connection is for "toys" - this card has gold-plated stereo RCA connectors - plus MIDI & S/PDIF connectors!
D) No surround/gaming modes: TRUE, but can co-exist with another consumer sound card or (as I'm doing) on-board audio (see my tip 4 above).
Bottom line - if 2-channel stereo is your 1st priority - check the website for the drivers you need and, if they have you covered, BUY THIS CARD!! :-)
41 of 52 people found the following review helpful
I bought my 2496 last week from a reputable mail order vendor. Installation was cumbersome. The "Driver CD" contained no 2496 drivers at all, for Windows or Mac! The manual still refers to a Macintosh installation where you "drag extensions" to the "extentions folder in the system folder." No mention is made of OSX X! Let's see, that would make the manual about 3 years old or more. Indeed, the modification date on the pdf version of the user Manual is November, 2001, yet M-Audio continues to ship this driverless Driver CD and outdated Manual with every 2496. They don't even include a slip of paper directing the purchaser to their Web site for the missing drivers.
I went to M-Audio's web site and was able to find and easily download the OSX driver (2.04) which was updated in August, 2005. After restarting I was able to get it running, however the standard Apple output volume control is not supported by the 2496 on a Mac. Actually you have NO global output volume control. Volume output is solely via application volume controls, such as the control within iTunes, or via your mixer knobs. This makes it difficult to use as a general purpose sound card.
After about two hours, the driver lost the ability to correctly play back music from iTunes, in mid song. It developed a bad stutter, apparently no longer using the correct bit/sample rate.
Technical support took 4 days, and a phone call from my vendor, to get a respones. The suggestion was to re-download the driver and reinstall it. This worked. But I found that whatever bit/sample rate I would record with in one application would become locked in for all other playback applications. For instance, if I recorded in 24/96 in Amadeus II it would later try to play back Garage Band or iTunes at 24/96 despite many attempts to reset it's control panel to 16/44.1. The only work around was to relaunch Amadeus, start a new recording at 16/44.1, quit, then relaunch Garage Band or iTunes.
On my Mac I found I also had to unplug an audio output cable from the mini-phone jack on the back of my computer to prevent a nasty electrical static that started whenever I activated the 2496.
When it works, the sound it great! A vast improvement over the built in sound. But it gets a 3 because of poor driver reliability, out of date manual, and Driver CD that contains no 2496 drivers.
It's going back to the store.
I went to M-Audio's web site and was able to find and easily download the OSX driver (2.04) which was updated in August, 2005. After restarting I was able to get it running, however the standard Apple output volume control is not supported by the 2496 on a Mac. Actually you have NO global output volume control. Volume output is solely via application volume controls, such as the control within iTunes, or via your mixer knobs. This makes it difficult to use as a general purpose sound card.
After about two hours, the driver lost the ability to correctly play back music from iTunes, in mid song. It developed a bad stutter, apparently no longer using the correct bit/sample rate.
Technical support took 4 days, and a phone call from my vendor, to get a respones. The suggestion was to re-download the driver and reinstall it. This worked. But I found that whatever bit/sample rate I would record with in one application would become locked in for all other playback applications. For instance, if I recorded in 24/96 in Amadeus II it would later try to play back Garage Band or iTunes at 24/96 despite many attempts to reset it's control panel to 16/44.1. The only work around was to relaunch Amadeus, start a new recording at 16/44.1, quit, then relaunch Garage Band or iTunes.
On my Mac I found I also had to unplug an audio output cable from the mini-phone jack on the back of my computer to prevent a nasty electrical static that started whenever I activated the 2496.
When it works, the sound it great! A vast improvement over the built in sound. But it gets a 3 because of poor driver reliability, out of date manual, and Driver CD that contains no 2496 drivers.
It's going back to the store.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Like the name suggests, the m-audio audiophile 2496 is for true audiophiles. I have had this card for years and there still is few options that are on par with this card for the same money. The audiophile has a full dynamic range of crisp audio with little distortion. I connect my sound card via digital coaxial cable to my Harman Kardon avr 240 and the sound is amazingly clear.
The one drawback to this card is it may be difficult for some to learn to use at first. However, when quality is essential go with the Audiophile 2496.
The one drawback to this card is it may be difficult for some to learn to use at first. However, when quality is essential go with the Audiophile 2496.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
It's about time! Thank you M-Audio!
Ok let me start off by saying it's about time that someone got it right and M-Audio got it right! I have been looking for quite some time for a sound card to use with Ableton Live... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Robert Cooper
Beware: No more sleep/hibernate on your computer
They say it's Windows-compatible.
A false statement.
The "sleep" mode is officially not supported, and surprisingly, it really doesn't support. Read more
A false statement.
The "sleep" mode is officially not supported, and surprisingly, it really doesn't support. Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. Lee
You can't use this card in many new computers!
I bought this card due to its great reputation. I downloaded Windows 7 drivers and installed them in my four-day-old Dell Inspiron 620. The sound card arrived today. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mojofilter
PCI interface problem
This product was recommended by the Sibelius music software commpany in order to achive zero latency in playing back Sebelius scores. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Elay
Great Product
Really good audio card. Used the crap out of mine. Might look on ebay for a better price though.
Published 10 months ago by Teamour Bagwaddles
Installs easily and works great with Windows 7
Having read a number of negative reviews regarding the installation software included with the Audiophile 2496 I went to M-Audio's website and downloaded the drivers for Windows 7... Read more
Published 14 months ago by oldcrankophile
Obsolete card, obsolete troubleshooting
On the surface this card looks great, particularly if you want just a simple I/O audio card that is not wrapped up in bells and whistles. Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. Long
Finally Perfect
I am a musician running a recording program. Windows 7 64bit, Music creator 5, multi track system. I don't want surround 5.1 or whatever. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Tom Tucson
Windows 7 x64 supported!
As the title of my review says, Windows 7 64-bit is supported from the drivers available from M-Audio's website so you shouldn't have trouble with earlier versions of Windows,... Read more
Published 16 months ago by C. Suom
Works well with Linux Audio Workstation
I have had this card for over a year. I researched thoroughly to find something that would have Linux drivers. Read more
Published 17 months ago by L. Anderson
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