Author Topic: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser  (Read 36161 times)

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Offline bitseeker

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #50 on: July 02, 2016, 06:28:49 pm »
Yep, many such goodies around Dave's lab and sometimes on Dave.
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Offline Radio Tech

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #51 on: May 01, 2017, 03:48:40 pm »
I been reading through the threads all morning.
I am going to buy a spectrum analyzer very soon. This week maybe.
Now after all the reading I may be a bit more confused than ever.

So which one to buy....

Siglent SSA3021X or Rigol DSA815?

Perhaps I should go with the Rigol DSA832E-TG

Either unit must have TG installed.
Will mostly be for RF work in ham and commercial radio.
Duplexer tuning ect.

Anyone using one of these mentioned for radio work? I do not think there is any other options on the market at these prices.

Offline AF6LJ

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #52 on: May 01, 2017, 05:43:37 pm »
I wonder if Rigol fixed the weird glitch the TG generated around 10MHZ..
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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #53 on: May 02, 2017, 12:42:25 am »
I been reading through the threads all morning.
I am going to buy a spectrum analyzer very soon. This week maybe.
Now after all the reading I may be a bit more confused than ever.

So which one to buy....

Siglent SSA3021X or Rigol DSA815?

Perhaps I should go with the Rigol DSA832E-TG

Either unit must have TG installed.
Will mostly be for RF work in ham and commercial radio.
Duplexer tuning ect.

Anyone using one of these mentioned for radio work? I do not think there is any other options on the market at these prices.
This new vid on SSA3032X might be worth watching:
https://youtu.be/uA4SvTBCAXU
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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #54 on: May 02, 2017, 03:46:54 pm »
Not sure if they fixed that or not. Will be interesting to find out.


That Siglent is a really nice looking piece of gear.And has me thinking about it.

At the moment I am really thinking about this package:
DSA815-TG SA/TG
DSG815 Signal generator
DS1054Z scope.

I think anything else would be a bit over kill.
 
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Offline PartialDischarge

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #55 on: May 02, 2017, 07:56:24 pm »

At the moment I am really thinking about this package:
DSA815-TG SA/TG
DSG815 Signal generator
DS1054Z scope.


What I'd do:

-DSA815-TG SA/TG
I'd definitively get the SSA3021X after seeing Daves comparison between the two.

-DSG815 Signal generator
Nice unit, but given that you live in the US I'm sure you can get a good deal on an old (but better speced) HP RF generator or a Rohde and save some bucks.

-DS1054Z scope.
ok, no complaints here if 4 channels are needed. If you can live with 2 I'd buy the new siglent 200Mhz model, can't beat that price/performance.
 

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #56 on: May 02, 2017, 08:21:02 pm »


What I'd do:

-DSA815-TG SA/TG
I'd definitively get the SSA3021X after seeing Daves comparison between the two.

That Siglent is very tempting.

Quote
-DSG815 Signal generator
Nice unit, but given that you live in the US I'm sure you can get a good deal on an old (but better speced) HP RF generator or a Rohde and save some bucks.

I already have several older units.
HP 8640B signal generator fully restored.
IFR (AeroFlex) 1200 with spectrum analyzer.
IFR (AeroFlex) 1200 Super S with Spectrum and tracking gen.

Quote
-DS1054Z scope.
ok, no complaints here if 4 channels are needed. If you can live with 2 I'd buy the new siglent 200Mhz model, can't beat that price/performance.

I really love to have a four channel scope. Since 90 percent of my work and repairs are in the low band RF (0 to 30 MHz) repair/restore I believe this scope would do the job. Since it can be hacked to 100 MHz. I been using two Tektronix 2335 two channel 100 MHz scopes for years.  Even with V/UHF I have been able to get by with 100 MHz scopes. I did buy a Owon PDS6062S a few years ago. Big mistake BTW.


I will say I like the looks of the Siglent. But the reason I like the Rigol is they have all three pieces same brand. Don't get me wrong my mind can change and I am always open to ideas.  Appreciate the comment.

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #57 on: May 02, 2017, 08:36:32 pm »
I will say I like the looks of the Siglent. But the reason I like the Rigol is they have all three pieces same brand. Don't get me wrong my mind can change and I am always open to ideas.  Appreciate the comment.
Do I say this or not ?  :scared:

Beware brand snobbery........but I know exactly where you are coming from and I used to be a little that way too, but if you want/need the best equipment for your particular price band it seems common these days to cherry pick products from amongst the brands available. The industry these days is truly fast moving and it takes a lot of my time trying to keep up with what's going on so I imagine it'd be harder for those that only venture into the marketplace "once in a blue moon".

The RF gen ? Do the available AWG's not produce the frequencies you need ?
Requirements ?
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Offline Radio Tech

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #58 on: May 02, 2017, 09:29:31 pm »

Do I say this or not ?  :scared:

Beware brand snobbery........but I know exactly where you are coming from and I used to be a little that way too, but if you want/need the best equipment for your particular price band it seems common these days to cherry pick products from amongst the brands available. The industry these days is truly fast moving and it takes a lot of my time trying to keep up with what's going on so I imagine it'd be harder for those that only venture into the marketplace "once in a blue moon".

Completely fine by me to say that. No problems at all.
I am one of those that NEVER venture out to look new equipment.  I have only bought two pieces of new est gear in the last 3 years.  The Owon and a DMM.  Most of my equipment is old but works great. Guess I am just so old school. I buy used non working test gear and repair it to use here in the shop. But I have now ventured out in other electronic repairs  and setting up different benches in the shop. Currently have four benches and going to add two more this summer.

As far as brands?  That does not really matter. As long as they function and get the job done.

Quote
The RF gen ? Do the available AWG's not produce the frequencies you need ?
Requirements ?

My equipment serves me well and does what I want as far as the SG goes.  But none of them cover over 999 MHz. So at the moment I have nothing in the shop that covers the 23CM (1.2 Ghz) ham band.
Thanks

Offline Sidlinger

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #59 on: July 18, 2017, 12:18:42 am »
Hello Dave, this is Bruce from Arizona (long time listener / first time caller).

Would you happen to know if the DSA815 used in this comparison was main board version 00.04 or main board version 00.05? I am told by Rigol that 00.05 improves performance (noise, etc.)

Thank you.
 

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Re: EEVblog #891 - Siglent SSA3021X vs Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyser
« Reply #60 on: November 15, 2017, 07:31:51 am »
Not sure if this is old news, but just been informed that the RBW is now 1Hz instead of 10Hz, just update the firmware to get it.
 


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