Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[EEVblog]

IMHO it is difficult to tell what makes a good review. From a technical buyers perspective I'd like to see a full functional test (especially when it comes to Chinese equipment) so at least I can see it works and how easy it is to operate. However such a video would be boooring    where was I... oh reviews... All in all I think Dave has to make a tradeoff between showing all the ins & out versus a cursory look to show a device exists and what the pros & cons are when compared to similar products.

Those are usually two different types of videos. A "first impressions" video for want of a better term is literally me turning the camera on taking it out of the box and dicking around with it, I have never used it before. The video ends up being what it is. People don't have to like that style, but it lets me get a video out quickly within a matter of hours.
Review videos have more thought and a lot more hours put into them. For example the Rigol 1054Z review where I did a 1:20min feature review, and a shorter 13min summary review, plus a teardown video. And I still didn't cover everything.
Every review is going to be a tradeoff in some way.

[EEVblog]

Dave functions best when he follows his own motto - "Don't turn it on, take it apart". I find the internal shots and details of the electronic equipment a thousand times more interesting then seeing a basic functional review. It is also generally easier to find someone who shows off the user interface and functions versus seeing what makes a device tick internally as many people are afraid to take stuff apart.

IIRC teardowns usually get more views than the reviews.

So Dave, don't turn it on(we'll leave that to Shahriar), take it apart!

There is no "we'll". I do what I want, other bloggers do what they want.

[EEVblog]

BTW, I think probably the best way to "review" the SSA is to compare it with the Rigol DSA, as they are basically the only two units on the market in this price point.

[hendorog]

BTW, I think probably the best way to "review" the SSA is to compare it with the Rigol DSA, as they are basically the only two units on the market in this price point.

It would be good to get an SA44B in there as a wildcard if you can get one?

It's cheaper - although USB based so you need a PC. It has much better specs than the Rigol, and is comparable with the Siglent. 
https://signalhound.com/products/usb-sa44b/

[tautech]

Sorry, have done literally nothing with it apart from turn it on for the photo.
But from that, great big screen, heavy, fan a bit annoying, and cheapish look'n'feel on the plastic case.

Heavy is good, heavy is reliable 

I checked the datasheet, it's not that heavy:
contain tracking generator 4.60 kg(10.1 lb)

In fact little more than a DSA815:
With Tracking Generator
4.25 kg (9.4 lbs)

[nctnico]

BTW, I think probably the best way to "review" the SSA is to compare it with the Rigol DSA, as they are basically the only two units on the market in this price point.

It wouldn't hurt to put an HP/Agilent/Keysight or Advantest spectrum analyser next to it.

[rf-loop]

Example Keyshit N9320B 3GHz is perhaps technically somehow comparable.
-------------------

Here attached bit more carefully done test for imagine something about SSA3000X phase noise so that also with exactly same settings result is checked using other enough known signals and they all match well enough for this purpose.




Why there is unvisible trace C (Math). This I will explain later but this is how I can jump over forced Detector setting in Marker function  Noise (if I do not this, result is more nice but imho, too optimistic) Math do nothing but just Trace A + 0dB. But when select Marker fn Noise it do not matter if it change trace C detector setting. After then I can move cursor source from trace A and I can keep dBm/Hz and use what ever Detector mode in cursor source trace. (I hope they disable this Detector forcing and think that User is Mastera nd equipment is slave. I do not like equipments what try play as Master over me.  

[cio74]

Has anyone published anything yet, I have the damn thing in the basket for a couple of days now, got to click the 'Checkout' button...

[EEVblog]

Tg option is here:
http://www.siglent.eu/catalog/product/view/id/1111/s/siglent-tg-ssa3000x-tracking-generator-license/category/98/

That option sounds like a mere softtware licence key, does it mean that the instrument come anyway with TG HW installed and it's only matter to activate it, even after the purchase ?

Yes. TG option is only $169, a no-brainer decision.

I got these prices quoted:
SSA3021X
9KHz-2.1GHz, Phase Noise<-98dBc/Hz, RBW 10Hz-1MHz, Min. DANL -161dBm/Hz, Total Amplitude Accuracy<0.7dB, 10.1 lnch WVGA?1024x600?Display
$1,595

SSA3032X
9KHz-3.2GHz, Phase Noise<-98dBc/Hz, RBW 10Hz-1MHz, Min. DANL -161dBm/Hz, Total Amplitude Accuracy<0.7dB, 10.1 lnch WVGA?1024x600?Display
$3,295

TG-SSA3000X
Tracking Generator Kit
$169

EMI-SSA3000X
EMI measurement kit
$559

AMK-SSA3000X
Advanced measurement kit ,including ACPR, CHPower, OBW and so on.
$465

Refl-SSA3000X
Reflection measurement kit
$429

UKitSSA3X
Utility Kit: N (M) -SMA (M) cable, N (M) -N (M) cable, N (M) -BNC (F) adaptor (2 pcs), N (M) -SMA (F) adaptor (2 pcs), 10 dB attenuator
$259

RBSSA3X20
Refl-SSA3000X, RB (1 MHz~2 GHz), N (M) -N (M) adaptor (2 pcs)
$559

SRF5030
Near Field Probe Set (4 pcs), N(M) -SMA (M) cable, N(M) -BNC(F) probe
$660

N-SMA-6L
N-SMA cable, 6GHz bandwidth
$49

N-N-6L
N-N cable, 6GHz bandwidth
$49

N-BNC-2L
N-BNC cable, 2GHz bandwidth
$39

SEM5040A
LISN
$1,885

[EEVblog]

Playing with it now.
Both set to 1.5GHz span and same attenuation settings.
The Siglent is an almost exact copy of the Rigol menu system! (not the first time they have done this, they have copied Keysight before)

[ebclr]

I am eagerly waiting for the results of this comparison in your videos

Did you bought both ?

[EEVblog]

Did you bought both ?

No, both are on loan.

[EEVblog]

The UKitSSA3X utility kit is very nice. Comes with response test result, as does the individual cable option for $49

[tautech]

Seems crazy to me that the UKitSSA3X utility kit at the above listed price of $259 doesn't come in a $2 plastic box but in a cardboard one. 
Siglent or their supplier of these accessories needs to do better IMO, someone's gone to the trouble of making a custom foam inner that probably cost more than a decent box. 

[rf-loop]

Did you bought both ?

No, both are on loan.

Is this SSA3000X what you use for playing with SA equipped with new or old HW (afaik, main difference is TG)
If  last 6 numbers of serial number  is over  160100 (In some old information 160110) then TG is new improved version.
Is it normal selling version or distributors early phase demo version?

[EEVblog]

Is this SSA3000X what you use for playing with SA equipped with new or old HW (afaik, main difference is TG)
If  last 6 numbers of serial number  is over  160100 (In some old information 160110) then TG is new improved version.
Is it normal selling version or distributors early phase demo version?

Serial 2160239, May 2016 build.
It is the new one with the revised hardware. From what I have heard it's the front end they had to revise.

[nugglix]

I looked at Batronix and siglent.eu, they don't even list the UKitSSA3X option.

Anyone knows if this is a new addition to the options?

[PartialDischarge]

Playing with it now.
Both set to 1.5GHz span and same attenuation settings.
The Siglent is an almost exact copy of the Rigol menu system! (not the first time they have done this, they have copied Keysight before)

Theres a +20dB noise improvement right there... cio74 you should just hit "buy" with confidence, ask for the latest HW though

[TheSteve]

How much does the noise floor change with the preamps enabled?

[tautech]

I looked at Batronix and siglent.eu, they don't even list the UKitSSA3X option.

Anyone knows if this is a new addition to the options?

They're all listed in the datasheet and on the Siglent websites:
http://www.siglentamerica.com/USA_website_2014/Documents/DataSheet/SSA3000X_DataSheet_DS0703X-E03A.pdf
http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=1546&T=2&tid=227

[Dubbie]

Dave have you checked out the new Rigol E variation?
http://www.emona.com.au/products/electronic-test-measure/rf-test-equipment/dsa-832e-865.html#.V2OKxvl97AQ

Wonder how that compares to the Siglent.

[cio74]

Playing with it now.
Both set to 1.5GHz span and same attenuation settings.
The Siglent is an almost exact copy of the Rigol menu system! (not the first time they have done this, they have copied Keysight before)

Theres a +20dB noise improvement right there... cio74 you should just hit "buy" with confidence, ask for the latest HW though

I just did (ask which HW version/production date I will get) after reading the latest posts

[EEVblog]

Dave have you checked out the new Rigol E variation?
http://www.emona.com.au/products/electronic-test-measure/rf-test-equipment/dsa-832e-865.html#.V2OKxvl97AQ
Wonder how that compares to the Siglent.

Hadn't seen that.
Vastly better DANL than the regular one, but the price doesn't make it a comparison.

[rf-loop]

How much does the noise floor change with the preamps enabled?

If you read specs and if you read this thread there is also some real tests
~20dB.

[EEVblog]

How much does the noise floor change with the preamps enabled?

Both with preamps on (Siglent is 20dB vs 10dB on Rigol)
At 1MHz and 10KHz RBW