For those experienced with converters... [Archive]

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Aski

13 Oct 2009, 23:51

AndrewHutchinson

14 Oct 2009, 02:52

Hi,
I'll give you a bump, even though I can't comment directly on your post. I have an Apogee Duet which I love. I've only been engineering for a few years, and only beginning to, slowly, acquire high end gear, and the duet opened my eyes. It was as though I pulled cotton balls out of the grills of my mics, and out of my ears when I was monitoring them back. I hope someone here can help you. Best of luck, and best regards,
Andrew

Aski

14 Oct 2009, 16:36

Thanks Andrew. I had the same experience when I went from my RME box to the Lynx... a huge step forward in overall clarity and realism. I have an 8 channel lynx aurora and I need to add 8 more A/D and D/A in due time... so I was looking for a little direction on where to go.. Or if I should just get a 16 channel lynx and sell the 8?... Thanks again.

Mixwell

14 Oct 2009, 21:27

The only high end converter that I have ever used is a Lynx Aurora. I quite like it. But I am curious as to the others. I have read the Mercenary comparison between the Lynx and the Apogee Rosetta boxes which was helpful...

Could someone please explain the sonic differences between the Lynx and the Apogee AD16x and DA16x system. Can we also through the Lucid 88192 into this discussion. Is the Apogee stuff worth the extra 3k?

I understand this kind of stuff is hard to put into words... but if you had to try I would appreciate it...

And on an unrelated note. This is really a great song for those of you who haven't heard it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1gpEDpL0s4

Sean, release it... I will buy it...

All of these converters are great. There is no wrong answer and the choice between them would be a staunch one, as there is only a slight to moderate difference in tonal quality, stereo perception when used stereo and multi-channel, S/N Ratio and Dynamic Range. 6 am to 6:45 between Aurora and Lucid, 6 am to 9 am between Lucid/Lynx and the Apogee. What time of day depends on where you are in the world. Bottom line it comes down to preference with high end converters. I've cut great stuff with all of these boxes, but I prefer the RADAR since its better than all of them. Is it worth the extra dough? Maybe. Hard question to answer since its relative in nature. The AD/DA16x's are the best of the Apogee offerings, and they sound deep as fuck in the bottom. They also have a softer sounding top end and a bolder sounding midrange. The Lucid is a well thought out converter with a really good clock, but considering the way the Aurora sounds, its probably a better deal when the bits meet the ones and zero's. Though you have ADAT standard on the Lucid. Comparing these boxes to the AD/DA16x's There is more width and depth to the audio on the Apogee. Is it going to change the way you make your record. No. The Rosetta 800 is like a ADA16x wannabe. It sort of sounds like that, but not as BIG. If you want a more dense sound on the bottom, go for the Apogee, but the Lynx is a slamming converter that sounds good enough to make music with. You already knew that though.....

AndrewHutchinson

14 Oct 2009, 22:03

You know, I thought RADAR was a great system, (and still do, just taking the piss,) until I heard the JCF D/A at AES. I've mentioned it to everyone I talk to. Of course, that's a D/A, and I believe the original post is concerning A/D/A or, at least, A/D.

skye

14 Oct 2009, 22:05

hey guys, just joined. i'm looking into converters, and this was the top post on the forum. i want to get some really unique sounds. the jcf audio da8-v looks amazing, but as it's a da only, i was wondering what i should use as an ad. i like the looks of the latte, as i don't know that i'll need more than 2 channels except for drums, but that's the issue. should i get 2 lattes (i'm going with the 2 overhead, 1 kick, 1 snare drum mic setup) or a da8-v and a seperate ad so i'll have the extra channels for when i need them down the road?

Mixwell

14 Oct 2009, 22:43

I am currently praying to Alla, Yahweh and Moses, that Josh will soon start production on the AD9SL [I have and will continue to bug the shit out of him until he does]. This unit is described as an eight channel ADC using with Cinemag transformers right before high speed ADC feeding transformer isolated AES outputs without any BS clock path PLL or fancy DSP nonsense that sounds like running audio through filters. The idea is old and new at the same time. Like all the shit Josh CONJURES in his mad scientist's workshop. I am told that this design is a semi-passive circuit, which basically yields a sound similar to patching all your signals into a vintage console filled with anomalous metals, and using the buss outputs to go to a tape machine. The Frequency curves found in this device, as a result from patching your gear, will make you laugh like a little school girl.

The DA8-V is another realm of reality that you really can't begin to put into words. Its the most apparently different DA on EARTH. No one is building devices like this except for Josh. He is making me so happy to use digital I can't even begin to explain. Anyone want to buy a DA16X and a Manley ELOP? I'm jumping into this box as soon as I can. What that thing does should be illegal. Its not even fair when compared to other converters, which is why its a mixing engineers new advantage. The Audio quality is magical to me.

You can record anything with any AD converter and use the DA8-V and it will make an insane difference based on your tracks. PRINT THE AUDIO LISTENING THROUGH THIS THING!!!! One of my clients is currently re-mixing all his material though it wondering why he paid money for mastering before. He has an Aurora 16, and keeps all his shit patched into it. He MIGHT record two channels at a time, but likes to have many input channels for easy routing. I told him to get a patch bay.

hey guys, just joined. i'm looking into converters, and this was the top post on the forum. i want to get some really unique sounds. the jcf audio da8-v looks amazing, but as it's a da only, i was wondering what i should use as an ad. i like the looks of the latte, as i don't know that i'll need more than 2 channels except for drums, but that's the issue. should i get 2 lattes (i'm going with the 2 overhead, 1 kick, 1 snare drum mic setup) or a da8-v and a seperate ad so i'll have the extra channels for when i need them down the road?

Dude, 2 Lattes? YIKES!!! We should probably discuss this move sometime bro. I'm game to explain, if your game to retain. That's 4 mic amps, and 4 AD converters, and when your not using the mic amps, you have 4 more DACS, that are 3-transistor line amps with CInemag IRON on both input and outputs sides of the circuit. Its a sick machine. Just get a Lynx AES16e or RME AES32 for connection and you're rocking.

At any rate, the Latte is a whole different concept that I can't go into right now due to the fact that my brain feels like pea soup because of the show; so I'll drop this attachment on you.

skye

14 Oct 2009, 23:02

Dude, 2 Lattes? YIKES!!! We should probably discuss this move sometime bro. I'm game to explain, if your game to retain. That's 4 mic amps, and 4 AD converters, and when your not using the mic amps, you have 4 more DACS, that are 3-transistor line amps with CInemag IRON on both input and outputs sides of the circuit. Its a sick machine. Just get a Lynx AES16e or RME AES32 for connection and you're rocking.

At any rate, the Latte is a whole different concept that I can't go into right now due to the fact that my brain feels like pea soup because of the show; so I'll drop this attachment on you.

thanks for the info, adam. i'm trying to get all the research in before i start dropping obscene amounts of cash into this studio. i'd love to discuss it all with you whenever you have some time.

Mixwell

14 Oct 2009, 23:16

Give a call whenever you have some really strong coffee brewed,

I'm sure I'll be on my fifth cup by 3 pm [EST]

skye

14 Oct 2009, 23:22

hehe. that fun, huh? okay. i'll drop a line tomorrow at 3 or 4. thanks again.

tuvokzeta9

23 Nov 2009, 21:42

Man... you guys know too much about audio gear. I am reading and learning every little bit I can. I'd love to have a great 2 Ch AD/DA converter to use with my Roland VS-2480. All I have been doing between here and slutz is reading.