Products > Test Equipment

Looking to buy new scope for audio: R&S vs Keysight entry models

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EEVblog:

--- Quote from: KungFuJosh on October 07, 2024, 04:35:59 pm ---In that price range, you should also consider the Siglent SDS2000X HD series (12 bit), and not too far off is the Magnova scope (made by Batronix in Germany).

--- End quote ---

I would second that you should be looking at a 12 bit scope, it's the new "entry level" spec.

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: salomonander on October 07, 2024, 07:00:06 pm ---I dont really know as i have never used a digital one :) But i guess people are talking about the speed of the interface? Opening menus etc… please correct me if im wrong as im really not certain. But any kind of latency in menus would be a nogo for me. I hate how slow this digital age feels - everything has latency :)
This would be way more important to me than specs. I just called my old electronics guru (broadcast guy) and he said 20 Mhz is all i need

--- End quote ---

If UI speed is your absolute priority, then a Keysight with the Megazoom ASIC is the clear winner. With all the scopes in my lab, the Keysights are the best in terms of just everyday usability IMO, so quick, responsive and simple.
That being said, they are arguably the worst in terms of bang-per-buck. R&S is probably 2nd worse in that regard.
As I said, you'd want a real good reason not to buy a 12bit scope these days, but as always YMMV.

KungFuJosh:

--- Quote from: Sorama on October 07, 2024, 06:49:24 pm ---
--- Quote from: KungFuJosh on October 07, 2024, 06:19:39 pm ---If that's your budget, I would look seriously at the Siglent SDS2000X Plus. It's €1,199, and has the 2000 level features but only 2 math channels (instead of 4), and it's 8bit instead of 12bit. It also has a built-in AWG. I would buy that again ten times before looking at the lower models that include 12bit.

--- End quote ---
The 2000x plus has even 10 bit resolution up to 20 ish MHz.
And a really good input front wrt noise, so good for audio.

--- End quote ---

Exactly. I used it for audio for 3.5 years before I upgraded to the HD model (which I only did because a ridiculous opportunity slapped me in the face). It was almost always in 10bit mode, and did really well.



--- Quote from: salomonander on October 07, 2024, 07:00:06 pm ---I dont really know as i have never used a digital one :) But i guess people are talking about the speed of the interface? Opening menus etc… please correct me if im wrong as im really not certain. But any kind of latency in menus would be a nogo for me. I hate how slow this digital age feels - everything has latency :)
This would be way more important to me than specs. I just called my old electronics guru (broadcast guy) and he said 20 Mhz is all i need

--- End quote ---

The interface isn't slow at all. It's not as fast as the more expensive HD model, but it's by no means slow in its own right.

Most scopes, especially less than $3000+, have a relatively slow FFT. Some brands may be marginally better than others, but none are worth bragging about. Unless you spend a minimum of $1000 more on your scope, you won't really see better FFT or Bode plot performance.

This is where a proper analyzer like the QA403 comes into play. It will allow you to run specific tests for audio faster than any of the scopes we're talking about. And it's only about $600. So now you have 2 excellent tools instead of 1 that would cost more money and really isn't better for your needs.

The only reason not to buy the 12bit version for the scope is that it's probably not worth an extra $1000 to you right now. Maybe it is, compare them. 😉

salomonander:
Off topic, but i was just offered an audio precision portable one plus that needs calibration. He is asking 1000€ - is that a fair price. Or what would be appropriate?

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: salomonander on October 08, 2024, 05:40:59 am ---Off topic, but i was just offered an audio precision portable one plus that needs calibration. He is asking 1000€ - is that a fair price. Or what would be appropriate?

--- End quote ---

I do believe that's a bargain. You could flip that on ebay and get a free scope with the profits.

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