Rigol DS1074Z with or without integrated AWG? Other low-cost AWG?

[SaleB]

Hello all,

last year I had a problem with defective Rigol DS1104B that I have acquired. My luck was that seller accepted his fault and took the device back. So, now I am without a scope again. Recently, while planing my next trip to Germany I have found Rigol DS1074Z in their prominent electronics warehouse for only 30eur more then I have payed last year for the used 1104B. I have been able to find a good reviews about the device on youtube, mostly posted by the users of this forum. I have also read 219 page topic dedicated to the secret options of the device. The fact that frequency is inversely proportional to number of enabled channels should not be of much hindrance for my uses.

Until now I did not involve myself much with waveform generators, because they are not much useful without a scope. Now there is a question, is it better to pay +220eur for an integrated AWG or acquire an DG1022 or Siglent SDG830 directly form china for approx. 320EUR. DG1022 is in Germany 430EUR, so it is not a good option. I have also found an low-cost chinese product called MHS2300, 20MHz version is approx 180EUR. From financial point better option for me is is to take one device now, and another a few months later. I also do not like the combination of multiple devices in one casing, when the devices are not intended field work, but that is also beside the point.

So, I am now in process of learning fine differences between various signal and waveform generators and would like an advice, pros and cons of these four options or maybe some 5th option.

Thankful in advance,
SaleB

[jadew]

A separate AWG means that you can upgrade your scope at some point and still keep the AWG around, or upgrade your AWG and keep the scope.

On top of that, a stand alone AWG will have the interface built specifically for the job, so it will be much easier to use.

[electronics man]

how abot the siglent SDG800 series, they are very nice have a look at this where i had a look inside the 5Mhz model https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/teardown-of-siglent's-sdg805-arbitrary-waveform-generator/

[FrankenPC]

I won't buy a AWG which doesn't have AM/FM (even FSK/PSK style) modulation features.  I haven't seen any modulation options on -S models.   Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  You can get a cheap Siglent SDG1020 which comes with two channels and modulation options for a little over $300 USD.  That's REALLY hard to beat.

On the other hand, having a basic AWG right there on your scope to save bench space is nothing to scoff at.  For me space is at a premium. 

[Rigby]

I won't buy a AWG which doesn't have AM/FM (even FSK/PSK style) modulation features.  I haven't seen any modulation options on -S models.   Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  You can get a cheap Siglent SDG1020 which comes with two channels and modulation options for a little over $300 USD.  That's REALLY hard to beat.

On the other hand, having a basic AWG right there on your scope to save bench space is nothing to scoff at.  For me space is at a premium.

I have a 1104Z-S and it does both AM and FM modulation.  It doesn't sweep, though.  There is no external "mod in" connector, so you're limited to the predefined waveforms for modulation, which include sine, square, ramp (up or down or anywhere between), noise, and a couple others, IIRC.

It is very handy to have the signal source right there, for me.  And it's 25MHz.  By loading a custom waveform you can get up to about 40MHz for a sine wave before -3db, and above 45MHz the attenuation is severe.

[SaleB]

@jadew: Yes, my thoughts exactly. Two device give me more freedom.

@electronics man: I have mentioned the SDG830, it's 800 series model. I have not found any reviews about the device. Now when FrankenPC suggested SDG1020 I have found out that these are pretty much the same devices with addition of one channel on 1000 series, even SDG1025 is not much more expensive either.

What are your thoughts about the Siglent 800 series? If I gathered the info's correctly it's precision is on much higher level than its price may suggest. So, my dilemma should be between SDG830 and SDG1025.

I think that I have seen a good review about 1000 series somewhere here, I'll try to find it again. Now I am thinking what is more valuable for me, 5/10MHz difference or one more channel. I am coming to a conclusion that, SDG1020/SDG1025 should be the best choice in my case.

Thank you all for helping me decide

Regards,
SaleB

 

[FrankenPC]

I won't buy a AWG which doesn't have AM/FM (even FSK/PSK style) modulation features.  I haven't seen any modulation options on -S models.   Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  You can get a cheap Siglent SDG1020 which comes with two channels and modulation options for a little over $300 USD.  That's REALLY hard to beat.

On the other hand, having a basic AWG right there on your scope to save bench space is nothing to scoff at.  For me space is at a premium.

I have a 1104Z-S and it does both AM and FM modulation.  It doesn't sweep, though.  There is no external "mod in" connector, so you're limited to the predefined waveforms for modulation, which include sine, square, ramp (up or down or anywhere between), noise, and a couple others, IIRC.

It is very handy to have the signal source right there, for me.  And it's 25MHz.  By loading a custom waveform you can get up to about 40MHz for a sine wave before -3db, and above 45MHz the attenuation is severe.

Ohhh!  Nice.  I wonder if the DS2072A has built in modulation as well?  I would imagine if the 1104Z-S does, do does the DS2072A.

[electronics man]

@jadew: Yes, my thoughts exactly. Two device give me more freedom.

@electronics man: I have mentioned the SDG830, it's 800 series model. I have not found any reviews about the device. Now when FrankenPC suggested SDG1020 I have found out that these are pretty much the same devices with addition of one channel on 1000 series, even SDG1025 is not much more expensive either.

What are your thoughts about the Siglent 800 series? If I gathered the info's correctly it's precision is on much higher level than its price may suggest. So, my dilemma should be between SDG830 and SDG1025.

I think that I have seen a good review about 1000 series somewhere here, I'll try to find it again. Now I am thinking what is more valuable for me, 5/10MHz difference or one more channel. I am coming to a conclusion that, SDG1020/SDG1025 should be the best choice in my case.

Thank you all for helping me decide

Regards,
SaleB

Did you see my tear-down and quick review

[SaleB]

@electronics man:

Yes, I read and saw the tear-down and the info that it has very good accuracy. It seems to be a device of higher build quality. I have also seen a few massages from people complaining over some glitches in some older firmware versions. How are you satisfied with in-use performance / user experience of this device?

[electronics man]

@electronics man:

Yes, I read and saw the tear-down and the info that it has very good accuracy. It seems to be a device of higher build quality. I have also seen a few massages from people complaining over some glitches in some older firmware versions. How are you satisfied with in-use performance / user experience of this device?

I have Never had a problem