R&S UPL

[Raziel92]

Hello, im considering buying R&S UPL and have few questions

1. For what I should look? I mean how to examine the unit condition? Few of the units on ebay are with actuall R&S calibration, its sign of good condition?
2. Its possible to decode production year from serial number? Or it doesnt metter if its few years order or newer?
3. What is reasonable price for unit in good condition with basic options?

[JeremyC]

Hello, im considering buying R&S UPL and have few questions

1. For what I should look? I mean how to examine the unit condition? Few of the units on ebay are with actuall R&S calibration, its sign of good condition?
2. Its possible to decode production year from serial number? Or it doesnt metter if its few years order or newer?
3. What is reasonable price for unit in good condition with basic options?

If you’re searching for analog analyzer, you should check the QA403 from QuantAsylum, it cost only ~$599.00.
Link: https://quantasylum.com/products/qa403-audio-analyzer
If you have a reason to buy the R&S you should ask for traceable calibration cert (I’m assuming that the reason to buy it is to satisfy an audiophile client of yours).

[Raziel92]

QA is a nice unit and cheap but I need stand alone device, thats why im not considering QA and AP for example.

[Inside21]

1. Output connect to input and look. (Device have old win95 computer + 2 ADC + 2 DAC) internal generator connect to internal voltmeter thru exteral cable.
2. don`t know
3. -any price (audio measurements not needed now, because audiotechnika and audiophils is died) + inflation
R&S stop production last audioanalyzer UPV 2 years ago, tektronics (sony) too. bruel&kjaer is saled to Hottinger (now is "HBK world")

for UPL i have 4 Gb software (disk image too)
if you need it, i may send this by telegram (+7 903 741 5039     + Алексей Осипов    + photo of Nefarius)

[Raziel92]

I think i found one suitable device, about 3300 euro, but the unit looks like new, display is so bright that camera cant take proper photo.

It has new CPU fan, new backup battery and new hdd (unfirtunately not cf or ssd) just new old type spinning disk

[Raziel92]

Im still thinking about at which to decide, get the UPL or maybe Audio Precision ATS-2

AP is almost 10 years younger, but I do preffer stand-alone devices

[Inside21]

Of course UPL, because it is an independent measurement device. 

[KeBeNe]

I think i found one suitable device, about 3300 euro, but the unit looks like new, display is so bright that camera cant take proper photo.

this is less likely to be due to the display than to the seller

It has new CPU fan, new backup battery and new hdd (unfirtunately not cf or ssd) just new old type spinning disk

Do you want to earn money with it?
If so, don't bother with such old devices, unless you love the excitement of a fault.

If not and you enjoy such devices, including troubleshooting and repair, then go for it.

You have to decide for yourself whether these devices are worth €3300, the costs that the seller has invested are less than €100.
Does he give you a guarantee?
Do you have a link to the seller?

[Raziel92]

I need it in my audio repair shop, so yes it will work for itself.

6 months guarantee
https://www.ebay.pl/itm/295108283772?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=4908-175131-2357-0&ssspo=QCqqpFnQRPC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=kklvbqjftda&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[DaJMasta]

I don't know what the European market looks like for UPLs, but that's probably at least 1.5x the price of what I'd expect in the US.  It's an old unit, as mentioned before its successor of something like 15 years has already been discontinued.  That said, it's got pretty good options and if it's got a guarantee and will be used for a business, maybe it's worth what they're asking.

The trouble with the AP units before they went with USB is that their APIB interface needs a special PCI card or converter box, both of which are expensive and limit you to older host machines (or at least VMs on a newer machine), so while capable units, probably not so usable.

There is also a good bit of service information/uploaded firmware/etc from hobbyists online, so if something happens to it and you're willing to work on it, there is reasonable chance of repair.

[Raziel92]

There are custom apib-usb interface for system one and system two
AMD the ATS-2 wbich i consider had oem interface usb

As for the UPL prices, ofc ther are a lot of units for the price approx 2000-2500 dolars, but they are older with clearly signs of thousands hours of usage

[DaJMasta]

Yes, and the USB adapter is often $300+ and may not work on a modern OS (still needs drivers).  It can probably be done in an XP VM, but it's another layer of complexity to the system at a fair percentage of the price for the unit, so it's at least worth considering.

Not sure why you think this UPL is newer - they haven't made them in 20 years.  Expect it to have just as many hours and a similar age to other units - if you get a Windows 95 based unit, you have a new one, a good number were DOS.  That said, from the lack of yellowing from the plastics, this one probably wasn't kept near a window.  Yes it looks nice and was probably well cared for (wouldn't be surprised if the LCD or backlight is just a new replacement), but that doesn't mean you're getting a newer instrument.


Not sure if there's availability, but the Prism Sound dScope III is a pretty capable USB Audio analyzer that probably still has its software package downloadable from the manufacturer.  I think the overall specs are a little lower, but if you're considering the host computer route, it's somewhat newer and has a much smaller bench footprint.  The QA403 is a reasonable choice, especially for the price, and its software is pretty fully featured.  I could be wrong, but I believe the UPL and AP analyzers support higher input voltages, so for some kinds of testing they may be a better choice than the other units.  It could also be worth identifying any specific measurements you need that may not be usual - I remember an audio tech complaining about the UPV for removing some of the record player specific measurements that the UPL had, and especially if you don't want to be trying to do your own scripting, having those built in could be a big value proposition.

[Raziel92]

1996 was the launch date, and they were produced till 2008, im getting information about them since few weeks.

About the AP, software is downloadable from site, and the interface is working under win 10 and 11
I have already tested in demo mode, what is also advantage of AP is the automatic tests, "HST" which are all measurments made 1 by 1 and reported in similiar way to RMAA soft.

I work on a lot of hi-end stuff like Krell power amps, Mark Levinson power amps so the capability of high voltage input is welcome.

[Raziel92]

Bought UPL with B1 option

[Raziel92]

Hello i just bought the UPL from a test equipment company, they tried to change the disk for ssd but it doesnt work.

They had transcendar 64GB ssd and from what I read these discs were not working.

I ordered CF adapter and 4GB card, after I receive unit I will make disc image from this ssd to CF and hope it will work.

The original spinning disc is 20GB fujitsu from 2003 year