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.
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.
So Dave, don't turn it on(we'll leave that to Shahriar), take it apart!
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.
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
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.
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 ?
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?
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)
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?
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
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.
How much does the noise floor change with the preamps enabled?
How much does the noise floor change with the preamps enabled?