Sound Pure's Take

Lynx has stayed comfortably ahead of the curve with their Aurora 8 and 16 converter systems. By not settling on one interfacing solution, they’ve in essence future-proofed their design. As computer interfacing standards change (the latest iteration being Thunderbolt), Lynx has adapted and produced top quality expansion cards to meet in industries ever evolving standards (option card for PT HD and HDX systems are available as well). I take solace knowing that the investment I have made in my Aurora is a sound one. The system can adapt and ultimately not leave me feeling like I have to re-invest large amounts of money every time I update my recording computer. 
 
These converters are truly world-class and should be a consideration for any pro tracking or mastering facility. When I track through the Aurora my projects exhibit an unparalleled depth, width, and openness that have often eluded me with previous systems. With Aurora conversion there is no color - just pure, clean, and accurate audio signals straight to my DAW. This allows me to dial in the exact amount of appropriate color through my mics, preamps, outboard processors and plugins knowing that 100% of that sound will be retained and untouched through the Aurora’s pristine and open conversion stage. 
 
As a dedicated converter, the Aurora does not offer any headphone amp or monitor control (outside of their software mixer), however what it lacks in features, it more than makes up for in top notch conversion quality. Combining an Aurora with a Dangerous Monitor ST or Presonus Central Station and you’re equipped with all the monitoring power you need, in addition to a more pristine and accurate converter quality than what you’d find in most “all-in-one” recording interfaces. 

From Lynx Studio Technology

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-ADATLT-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-MADI Expansion Card

The LT-MADI is an L-Slot interface for the Aurora 8 and Aurora 16 A/D D/A converters that provides digital input and output in MADI (Multichannel Audio Digital Interface) format. Up to four Aurora converters (using four LT-MADI cards) can be combined for up to 64 channels of input and output.

MADI is a proven technology for distributing multichannel audio in large venues, live recording and multiroom studios with the convenience of either optical fiber or coaxial cabling.

 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-HD                                For ProTools/HD/Native

   LT-MADI                            Provides up to 64 MADI I/O channels

   LT-USB                             Provides up to 16 I/O channels, USB 2.0

 

LT-MADI Specs


  • Two MADI Optical and two MADI Coaxial ports
  • Supports 64 channels at 44.1 / 48 kHz; 32 channels at 88.2 / 96 kHz; 16 channels at 176.4 / 192 kHz. All bidirectional.
  • Coaxial I/O supported for up to 100 meter distance
  • Optical I/O supported for up to 2000 meter distance
  • Allows daisy-chaining of up to four Aurora converters and other MADI devices on a single MADI link
  • Lynx proprietary SynchroLock™ technology virtually eliminates jitter when Aurora is a clock slave or used to provide stable, low jitter clock to downstream devices
  • Easily installed into Aurora
  • Controlled from the front panel of the Aurora converter or by Aurora remote control software via MIDI
  • RoHS compliant
  • 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

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