Sound Pure's Take
From Lynx Studio Technology
Lynx Studio Technology has announced a revised version of the LT-HD firmware for their Aurora converters. The LT-HD version 10 firmware update for the LT-HD card allows the Aurora 16 and Aurora 8 to emulate the interface characteristics of the Avid HD I/O converter, allowing seamless operation with Avid systems including HDX and HD Native.
The Aurora 16 and Aurora 8 AD/DA converters provide world-class analog to digital and digital to analog conversion in a compact one-rack space format. With sample rates up to 192 kHz, Aurora offers wide, open, uncompressed and unequalized audio for studios, mastering facilities, remote recording, broadcast and production. Lynx’s exclusive SynchroLock word clock offers extreme jitter reduction, providing clean digital audio signals for Aurora and other digital devices in the studio.
Aurora also avoids some of the limitations that other pro level converters have. Aurora does not have a noisy fan, does not lose channel count at higher sample rates and does not require costly analog and digital modules to achieve the unit’s full channel count.
Aurora can be used with any audio content. Equalization and limiting functions, which can color or alter the sound, have not been added. Lynx’s design provides accurate conversion, clear clean audio, wide imaging – the sound you put into Aurora is the sound that you get out of Aurora.
Several interfaces allow Aurora to be used in a number of different configurations. LT-HD allows Aurora to be recognized by and controlled from a ProTools|HD® system. FireWire access is easy using the LT-FW. 16 channels of ADAT Lightpipe I/O is made available with the LT-ADAT. LT-MADI allows up to four Aurora converters to send and receive up to 64 MADI channels. The LT-USB is a USB 2.0 device for up to 16 I/O channels. And Lynx AES16 and AES16e allow interface with a wide range of Windows and Macintosh computers.
The Aurora 16 was nominated for a TEC award in 2005. Aurora with LT-HD was nominated for a 2007 TEC award.
Aurora 16 converters are preconfigured for three voltages. Aurora 115 volt models are available in the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. The 100 volt models are available in Japan only. 230 volt units are available throughout the rest of the world through authorized distributors and retailers.
- Simultaneous 16 Channel Analog I/O and 16 Channel AES/EBU I/O
- 24 Bit / 192 kHz Mastering Quality A/D and D/A conversion
- 192 kHz AES/EBU I/O Supporting Single and Dual Wire Modes
- Single Rack Space Configuration
- Extensive Remote Control Capability via Lynx AES16, IrDA and MIDI
- On-board 32 Channel Digital Mixer Provides Flexible I/O Routing
- Word clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock™ Sample Clock Technology
- Digital I/O DB-25 connectors follow Yamaha pinout protocol
- Analog I/O DB-25 connectors follow Tascam pinout protocol
- RoHS compliant
- Available in 100V, 115V and 230V models
LT-HD Card
Avid has made great improvements with the HDX card and Pro Tools 10. The new LT-HDx firmware update for the LT-HD card allows current and new Aurora owners to get the most out of their Pro Tools HDX or Native equipped studio. Emulation of the HD I/O delay allows the ability to use Lynx and Avid hardware in the same system with sample accuracy.
New features include:
• Two modes of Avid HD I/O emulation: 32-channel mode provides two instances of the 8 x 8 x 8 analog and digital in and out model, 16-channel mode provides one instance of the 16 x 16 analog in and out model.
• Emulation of HD I/O delay times to ensure accurate delay compensation within Pro Tools. No manual adjustments needed.
• Improved internal clock management provides compatibility with changes in Avid hardware.
Thousands of studios worldwide have adopted Aurora converters as their standard, for its pristine audio quality, versatility and value. This update for the LT-HD card gives even more versatility to Aurora.
Lynx has always been committed to long-term support of our customers’ needs. Current owners of LT-HD equipped Aurora converters can update to the LT-HDx functionality at no charge with a simple firmware update. New hardware is not required.
Easily installed in Aurora’s LSlot bay, the LT-HD allows Aurora converters to be used in all current ProTools|HD systems. Connected via Digilink cables to HD Core, Accel Core, HDX or Native cards, Pro Tools recognizes the Aurora converter and controls all input and output functions, clocking, routing and other settings. One LT-HD equipped Aurora 16 can provide up to 32 channels of analog to digital and digital to analog conversion.
This is a truly plug and play system. LT-HD’s hardware and on-board software streamline installation and set-up, bringing Aurora audio quality and channel count to the ProTools system. LT-HD provides signal latency identical to that of the Avid converter for accurate delay compensation within ProTools - no manual delay adjustments are required.
The LT-HD contains one Primary and one Expansion DigiLink port. Aurora supports full channel count at sample rates up to 192 kHz. You do not lose half of your channels at higher sample rates and you do not need to purchase additional expensive modules for full channel counts. Pro Tools users can now benefit from Lynx’s exclusive SynchroLock™ word clock for very low jitter and low distortion of digital signals.
LYNX AURORA 16 AND AURORA 8 SPECIFICATIONS
ANALOG I/O
Aurora 8 Eight inputs and eight outputs
Aurora 16 Sixteen inputs and sixteen outputs
Type Electronically balanced or unbalanced
Level +4 dBu nominal/ +20 dBu max, or -10 dBv nominal / +6 dBv max
- Input Impedance Balanced mode
- 24k Ω
- Unbalanced mode
- 12k Ω
- Output Impedance Balanced mode
- 100 Ω
- Unbalanced mode
- 50 Ω
Output Drive 600 Ω impedance, 0.2 µF capacitance
A/D and D/A Type 24-bit multi-level, delta sigma
ANALOG IN PERFORMANCE
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz, +0/-0.1 dB
Dynamic Range 117 dB, A-weighted
Channel Crosstalk -120 dB maximum, 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS
THD + N -108 dB (0.0004%)@-1DBFS
104 db (0.0006%)@-6DBFS
1 kHz signal, 22Hz-22kHz BW
ANALOG OUT PERFORMANCE
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz, +0/-0.1 dB
Dynamic range 117 dB, A-weighted
Channel crosstalk -120 dB maximum, 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS
THD + N -107 dB (0.00045%)@-1DBFS
106 dB (0.00050%)@-6DBFS
1 kHz signal, 22 Hz-22kHz BW
DIGITAL I/O
- Number/Type Aurora 8
- 8 inputs and 8 outputs
- Aurora 16
- 16 inputs and 16 outputs
24 bit AES/EBU format, transformer coupled
- Channels Aurora 8
- * in/out in single wire mode
4 in/out in dual wire mode
- Aurora 16
- 16 in/out in single wire mode
8 in/out in dual wire mode
Sample Rates All standard rates and variable rates up to
192 kHZ in both single-wire and dual-wire modes
ON-BOARD DIGITAL MIXER (VIA AES16/AES16e)
Type Hardware based, low latency
Routing Ability to route any input to any or multiple outputs
Mixing Up to four input or playback signals mixed to any
output, 40-bit precision
Status Peak levels to -114dB on all inputs and outputs
CONNECTIONS
Digital I/O Ports 25-pin female D-sub connectors
- Port A
- channels 1-8 I/O
- PortB
- channels 9-16 I/O (aurora 16 only)
Yamaha pinout standard
Analog I/O Ports 25-pin female D-sub connectors
Analog in 1-8
Analog in 9-16 (Aurora 16 only)
Analog out 1-8
Analog out 9-16 (Aurora 16 only)
Tascam Pinout standard
External Clock 75-ohm BNC word clock input and output
MIDI One input and one output, standard opto-isolated
5-pin female DIN connecters
REMOTE CONTROL OPTIONS
Function Controls all I/O, levels, monitoring, routing and setting recall
- Method AES16-AES16e
- with PC or Mac IrDA: For compatible Pocket
PCs and laptops
- MIDI
- Selected MIDI devices
GENERAL
AC Power 110/115/230 VAC, 70 watts
Size 1.75" H x 19"W x 9"D
Shipping Weight 12lbs
Certifications CE and FCC Class B EMI, CE Product Safety
LSLOT™ EXPANSION PORT
Compatibility Supports Lynx Lslot expansion cards
Channels Up to 16 input and 16 output simultaneously at up to
192 kHz sample rate
OPTIONAL INTERFACE CARDS FOR LSLOT
LT-ADAT Provides ADAT Optical I/O
LT-HD For ProTools/HD/Native
LT-FW Provides up to 16 channels via FireWire 400
LT-MADI Provides up to 64 MADI I/O channels
LT-USB Provides up to 16 I/O channels, USB 2.0
LT-HD EXPANSION CARD SPECS
One Primary and one Expansion DigiLink port
Up to 32 channels of analog and digital I/O per HD Core or Accel Core, HDX or Native card possible with one Aurora 16
Supports full channel count at sample rates up to 192 kHz
Offers audio signal latency identical to that of the Avid HD I/O™ for accurate delay compensation within Pro Tools - no manual delay adjustments required
Allows I/O functions for parameter control to be controlled and monitored within ProTools
Interfaces with HD system using standard DigiLink cables
Allows daisy-chaining of multiple Aurora converters and other DigiLink devices via Expansion port
Lynx proprietary SynchroLock™ technology can be used to reduce jitter when Aurora is a clock slave or to provide stable, low jitter clock to downstream devices
Easily installed into Aurora
RoHS compliant
Designed and manufactured in the USA by Lynx Studio Technology, Inc
Warranty
This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Returns
Not eligible for Try Before You Buy or the 48-hour approval period. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.
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