Sound Pure's Take
From Lynx Studio Technology
Expanding its line of Aurora 192 kHz AD/DA converters, Lynx Studio Technology has announced the Aurora 16-VT Variable Trim model. Aurora 16-VT allows users to manually set the analog input and output levels within a range of +8.5 dBu to +24 dBu. 32 miniature trim pots are mounted on the primary circuit board to allow the adjustments.
Since 2004, Aurora has established its position as one of leading high end converters for recording studios around the world. Some studios, that wanted to gain the advantage of Aurora’s pristine audio quality and versatility, also required the ability to manually set the levels for optimum performance. The Aurora 16-VT provides this capability, while preserving Aurora’s other features, specifications and signature transparent sound.
One of the Beta testers for the Aurora 16-VT was producer/engineer Fabrice Dupont, a longtime Aurora owner. According to Fab, “After receiving the trimable version of the Aurora I can tell you that I think it's a winner product. I cannot tell a sonic difference between my regular Auroras and the variable trim one. They sound identical to me. Overall, this option makes replacing my old converters truly seamless. It actually feels like a true upgrade since any mix recalled with the Auroras now gain stages the same as my old converters, but sounds noticeably better.”
Bob Muller of Dangerous Music was another Beta Tester. “I think the VT is a great feature, and particularly essential to any facilities that are going to be using Auroras in a mastering setup. A lot of mix rooms are branching out into mastering and like to avail themselves of their mix rig I/O converters for both applications. I was able to calibrate the whole unit to -18dBFS = +4 dBU in under 10 minutes.”
Aurora 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.
Features of the Aurora converters include:
- Analog input and output levels can be set between +8.5 dBu and +24 dBu
- 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, FireWire and MIDI
- On-board 32 Channel Digital Mixer Provides Flexible I/O Routing
- Word clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock™ Sample Clock Technology
- Connectivity via PCI, PCI Express with AES16 cards, ADAT, ProToolsHD, FireWire, MADI and USB 2.0
LYNX AURORA 16 AND AURORA 8 SPECIFICATIONS
ANALOG I/O
Aurora 16-VT Sixteen inputs and sixteen outputs
Type Electronically balanced or unbalanced
Level Continuously variable between +8.5 & +24 dBu via internal trim pots
- 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 16 inputs and 16 outputs
24 bit AES/EBU format, transformer coupled
Channels 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
- Port B
- channels 9-16 I/O
Yamaha pinout standard
Analog I/O Ports 25-pin female D-sub connectors
Analog in 1-8
Analog in 9-16
Analog out 1-8
Analog out 9-16
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 12 lbs
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
Free 3-Year Warranty
Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →
Returns
This item is not eligible for the Try-Before-You-Buy 48-hour audition. Standard return policy applies — see Terms & Conditions, Section 18 for details.
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