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USB2 Recording Interface 2in/4out with Prism Sound's World-class converter and clocking tech
$2,479.00
The Lyra family of USB audio interfaces offers Prism Sound performance at its most affordable ever. They are based on the Orpheus audio path and clock circuitry, but in a smaller package for those who don't need eight channels of analogue I/O. There are two models Lyra 1 and Lyra 2.
Lyra is based on an ARM Cortex processor design which offers class-compliant USB and the possibility for future Ethernet AVB interfacing, plus DSP and local mixing capacity beyond that of the present Orpheus platform.
Analogue and digital input channels are available as inputs for your audio workstation software through the host computer's audio driver. Similarly, analogue and digital outputs and stereo headphone outputs can be played independently.
Verifile is a radical new proprietary technology exclusive to Prism Sound which allows computer audio streams and recorded files to be quickly checked for a wide range of clicks, errors and dropouts, without any compromise in the audio content or any additional metadata.
Lyra makes no compromises on audio quality. It is the result of years of research and development into digital audio conversion and extensive dialogue with Prism Sound's customers.
The Lyra design brief was: Prism Sound quality at an even more accessible price point. Lyra has the same no-compromise analogue front and back ends as its brother Orpheus, with the same fully-balanced-throughout architecture and the same isolation barriers protecting the analogue from digital and computer interference.
For Lyra, we have created a unit that is compatible with the widest range of computer hardware by using a USB2 interface. This is a UAC2 (USB Audio Class 2) interface supported natively in Mac, Linux and Android, and in Windows via a driver.
Our professional users wanted a highly integrated solution with stereo inputs serving as line, instrument or microphone inputs, and line outputs that could be used for stereo monitoring, mastering and/or foldback to performers. Lyra offers up to four monitoring outputs, digital inputs and outputs as stereo AES3 or S/PDIF or up to 8 channels of digital I/O on the ADAT optical format, plus stereo headphones.
Our customers also identified a need for a unit that could provide low latency foldback to performers, particularly when tracking and overdubbing. In answer to this need, Lyra has a built-in digital mixer that can be configured from the host computer to provide foldback feeds to performers, each with their own stereo mix of workstation playback and any of the inputs.
The digital output is equipped with the four Prism Sound SNS noise-shaping curves and includes Prism Sound's renowned synchronous sample-rate conversion (Lyra 2), allowing outputs to various external devices at other sampling rates. The sample-rate converter can be used at the outputs as well as the inputs, so as well as dealing with unsynchronised or wrong-rate digital inputs, Lyra can also generate, say, a live 44.1kHz output from a 96kHz session. Since Lyra also includes the full suite of the famous Prism Sound 'SNS' noise shapers, you can also reduce to 16-bits for CD at mastering-house quality. Lyra 1 supports sample rate conversion on the input only.
In the 1990s Prism Sound pioneered testing of sampling and interface jitter and as a result our digital audio products deliver unsurpassed jitter rejection. Prism Sound digital audio products lock up fast and re-generate ultra-stable clock outputs. Another aspect of the traditional Prism Sound converter that is retained was the clocking - it's just as important as analogue-path considerations sound-wise. Lyra uses the same CleverClox dual digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) circuitry as Orpheus so whether it's providing a high-quality master clock for the rest of the room (Lyra 2 only), or dealing with a jittery clock from outside, Lyra is as rock-steady as its forbears.
LYRA 2 FRONT PANEL |
Instrument Inputs | 2 x 6.3mm mono jack sockets, auto-select to analogue inputs 1 & 2 when plugged, software override |
Headphone Output | 1 x 6.3mm stereo TRS Jack with illuminated volume control |
Master volume | Assignable encoder / push switch with halo indication |
Standby button | with standby indicator (also flashes when unit is in 'identify' mode) |
Indication: | |
Level Meters | 4 x multi-segment, multi-colour bargraphs with overload indication, 2 for analogue, 2 for digital, assignable to inputs or outputs, analogue outputs switchable 1/2 or 3/4. |
Input selection | Indicate mode of analogue inputs as Mic / line / inst & plus phantom power indicator for mic mode |
Overkiller | For analogue inputs, lit when Overkiller limiters are acting |
Digital Input | indicators for digital input unlocked and SRC (sample-rate converter) selected |
Digital Output | indicator for SRC (sample-rate converter) selected |
Sync | Master indicator, lit when interface is in local sync |
LYRA 2 REAR PANEL |
Mic inputs | 2 x XLR sockets |
Line inputs | 2 x 6.3mm TRS jack sockets (balanced or unbalanced) |
Line outputs 1-4 | 4 x 6.3mm TRS jack sockets (balanced or unbalanced) |
Digital inputs | 1 x RCA 1 x TOSLINK for S/PDIF or ADAT Optical input; (RCA can operate as AES3 input using XLR-RCA adapter supplied) |
Digital output | 1 x RCA 1 x TOSLINK for S/PDIF or ADAT Optical output; (RCA can operate as AES3 output using XLR-RCA adapter supplied) |
Wordclock | 2 x BNC sockets, output and input (75Ω) |
USB port | 1 x USB type B receptacle |
Network port | 1 x RJ45 AVB ethernet port |
Mains power | 3-pin 6A IEC inlet |
SOFTWARE SUPPORT |
Mac OS Support | OS X 10.5 or later Intel platform |
Windows OS Support | Windows Vista, 7, 8 or later (32 or 64 bit) |
Mac audio driver | Core Audio device |
Windows audio driver | ASIO device, WDM coming soon |
Linux audio driver | Lyra is a UAC2 class compliant device - no driver needed on recent distros |
Control Panel applet | Graphical user interface for control of Lyra unit under Mac OS X or Windows |
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ANALOGUE LINE INPUTS |
Configuration | Electronically balanced, with fully-balanced analogue signal path |
Input Sensitivity | Switchable '+4dBu' (0dBFS = +18dBu) or '-10dBV' (0dBFS = +6dBu) |
Input Impedance | 14.5kΩ |
Unbalanced Mode | Automatic |
Total harmonic distortion | -117dB (0.00014%, -0.1dBFS) |
THD+N | -111dB (0.00028%, -0.1dBFS) |
Dynamic Range | 116dB (-60dBFS) |
Gain Accuracy | ±0.05dB |
LF roll-off | -0.05dB at 8Hz; -3dB at <1Hz |
HF roll-off | fs = 44.1kHz: -0.05dB at 21.1kHz; -3dB at 22.0kHz fs = 48kHz: -0.05dB at 23.0kHz; -3dB at 23.9kHz fs = 96kHz: -0.05dB at 32.0kHz; -3dB at 47.9kHz fs = 192kHz: -0.05dB at 32.0kHz; -3dB at 78kHz |
CMRR | 20Hz..20kHz: >70dB |
Inter-channel cross-talk | 1kHz: <140dB; 20Hz..20kHz: <-120dB |
Inter-channel phase | 10Hz..5kHz: ±0.25°, 5kHz..20kHz: ±1.0°, 20kHz..50kHz: ±2.0°, |
Overkiller | Progessive limiter, auto-aligning, selectable per channel |
Impact Filter | High-pass filter, -3dB at 80Hz, 40dB/decade (selectable for channels 1-2; whether in line, mic or instrument mode) |
RIAA de-emphasis filter (Lyra 2 only) |
Response accuracy: ±0.22dB at fs=44.1kHz; ±0.14dB at fs=48kHz; ±0.015dB at other sample rates |
M-S matrix (Lyra 2 only) | Allows direct connection of mid-side mics, or non-matrix mic-preamps |
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MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIERS |
Configuration | Electronically balanced, with fully balanced analogue signal path |
Gain | 10dB to 65dB in 1dB steps (0dBFS = -56dBu to -1dBu) plus switchable -20dB pad |
Gain accuracy | ±0.05dB |
Input impedance | 5.5kΩ |
THD | +10dB gain: -116dB at -0.1dBFS (0.00016%) +40dB gain: -110dB at -0.1dBFS (0.00032%) |
THD+N | +10dB gain: -108dB at -0.1dBFS (0.00040%) |
Equivalent input noise (EIN) | +30dB gain: -128.5dBu (0Ω source); -126.3dBu (150Ω source) +40dB gain: -130.9dBu (0Ω source); -127.6dBu (150Ω source) +50dB gain: -131.2dBu (0Ω source); -127.7dBu (150Ω source) +60dB gain: -131.4dBu (0Ω source); -127.8dBu (150Ω source) |
LF roll-off | -0.05dB at 20Hz, -3dB at 5Hz |
HF roll-off | As per analogue line input data (dependent on fs) |
CMRR | 50Hz/60Hz: >110dB at all gains 1kHz: >100dB at all gains 20kHz: >90dB at all gains |
Phantom power | +48V, switchable per channel |
Pad | -20dB, switchable per channel |
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INSTRUMENT PREAMPLIFIERS |
Configuration | Unbalanced, high impedance buffer |
Gain | 10dB to 65dB in 1dB steps, 18dB pad (0dBFS = -38dBu to 17dBu) |
Gain accuracy | ±0.05dB |
Input impedance | 1MΩ |
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ANALOGUE OUTPUTS |
Configuration | Electronically balanced, with fully-balanced analogue signal path |
Output amplitude | Switchable '+4dBu' (0dBFS = +18dBu) or '-10dBV (0dBFS = +6dBu) |
Output impedance | 100Ω balanced, 50Ω unbalanced |
Unbalanced mode | Automatic, with bootstrapping level compensation |
Total harmonic distortion | -107dB (0.00045%, -1dBFS) |
THD+N | -106dB (0.00050%, -0.1dBFS) |
Dynamic range | 115dB (-60dBFS) |
Gain accuracy | ±0.05dB |
LF roll-off | -0.05dB at 8Hz, -3dB at <1Hz |
HF roll-off | fs = 44.1kHz: -0.05dB at 21.4kHz; -3dB at 22.0kHz fs = 48kHz: -0.05dB at 23.2kHz; -3dB at 23.9kHz fs = 96kHz: -0.05dB at 32.0kHz; -3dB at 47.8kHz fs = 192kHz: -0.05dB at 32.0kHz; -3dB at 76kHz |
Output balance | >50dB |
Inter-channel cross-talk | 1kHz: <-135dB; 20Hz..20kHz: <-120dB |
Inter-channel phase | 10Hz..5kHz: ±0.4°, 5kHz..20kHz: ±0.25°, 20kHz..50kHz: ±0.5°, |
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DIGITAL INPUTS |
Formats supported: Lyra 1 | S/PDIF TOSLINK |
Formats supported: Lyra 2 | S/PDIF (RCA or TOSLINK), ADAT, ADAT S/MUX (TOSLINK), AES3 (XLR via supplied adapter cable) |
Sample rates supported | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz |
Sample rates supported: ADAT (Lyra 2 only) |
ADAT (8 channel): 44k1, 48k ADAT SMUX (4 channel): 88k2, 96k |
Channel Status: | Ignored |
Word-length | 24 bit |
AES3 Operation (Lyra 2) | Via S/PDIF RCA, using XLR-RCA adapter (supplied) |
Sample-rate converter (SRC) | Selectable at S/PDIF input; allowing input at any sample rate |
Bit transparency | Maintained (allows recording of Dolby or DTS streams) |
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DIGITAL OUTPUTS |
Formats supported: Lyra 1 | S/PDIF TOSLINK |
Formats supported: Lyra 2 | S/PDIF (RCA or TOSLINK), ADAT, ADAT S/MUX (TOSLINK), AES3 (RCA) |
Sample rates: S/PDIF/AES3 | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz |
Sample rates: ADAT (Lyra 2 only) |
ADAT (8 channel): 44k1, 48k; ADAT S/MUX (4 channel): 88k2, 96k |
Channel Status | Full implementation, Consumer (S/PDIF) or professional (AES3) |
Word-length | 24 bit, or reduction to 16 bits using flat TPDF dither or Prism Sound SNS (Super Noise Shaping - four alternative shapes available) |
AES3 (AES/EBU) operation (Lyra 2 only) |
via S/PDIF RCA, using RCA-XLR adaptor (supplied) and AES3 mode (2V p-p, 110Ω and AES3 channel status) |
Sample-rate converter (SRC) (Lyra 2 only) |
Selectable at S/PDIF output; output rate can be referenced to Wordclock, DI or local clock at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kHz |
Bit transparency | Maintained in 24 bit mode (allows playback of Dolby or DTS streams to external decoder) |
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SAMPLE-RATE CONVERTER (SRC) |
THD+N | <-137dB (0.000014%, -0.1dBFS) |
Dynamic range | >138dB (0.000013%, -60dBFS) |
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SYNCHRONIZATION |
System sample rates | 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192kHz |
Sync sources: | |
Master | local, Wordclock (Lyra 2 only), DI (S/PDIF input) or ADAT (Lyra 2 only) |
Local clock accuracy | ±50ppm |
Jitter rejection | >60dB / decade above 100Hz |
Internal mixer delay (total analogue in to out) |
fs = 44.1kHz: 0.57ms; fs = 48kHz: 0.52ms; fs = 88.2kHz: 0.2ms; fs = 96kHz: 0.18ms; fs = 176.4kHz: 0.09ms; fs = 192kHz: 0.08ms; |
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PHYSICAL |
Form factor | 2/3 width, 1u 19inch rack mountable (Rack ears available as an option) |
Dimensions | Table top (inc. feet): W: 285mm D: 242mm H: 50mm Rack-mount (inc. optional ears): W: 483mm D: 242mm H: 44.5mm |
Power: | 90-250VAC, 50-60Hz internal power supply IEC 6A connector |
Power consumption | 15W |
Fuse rating | 0.5A(T), 20mm, glass |
Weight: | 2.1kg |
Operation ambient conditions | 0 to 35°C, 85% maximum relative humidity |
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SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES |
CD with software and manuals | x 1 |
IEC mains lead | x 1 |
USB Lead type A to B | x 1 |
XLR-F to RCA-M adaptor (S/PDIF/AES3) (Lyra 2 only) |
x 1 |
XLR-M to RCA-M adaptor (S/PDIF/AES3) (Lyra 2 only) |
x 1 |