Lynx Studio Technology Aurora 16 16-Channel Digital Audio Converter

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16 channel analog I/O and 16 channel AES/EBU I/O. 24 Bit / 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion.

The new Aurora line of digital audio converters from Lynx Studio Technology offers unprecedented audio quality and control in single-rack space eight and sixteen channel models. The Aurora 16 features 192 kHz analog to digital and digital to analog conversion with front panel control of all routing and sample rate options. Extended functions in Aurora are accessible via computer with the Lynx AES16 or by infrared using compatible laptops and handheld Pocket PCs. The rear panel has Clock and MIDI In and Out connectors and an LSlot bay, for the optional use of ADAT, Firewire and other audio interfaces.

Features
Aurora 16: 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

Lslot expansion slot for Firewire, ADAT, and future interface options

On-board digital mixer provides flexible I/O routing

Word clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock jitter reduction technology

Aurora 16 is a 16-channel 24-bit/192 kHz analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter in a single-space rack-mount case. Representing Lynx Studio Technology's first rack-mount product, Aurora was developed using the next generation of Lynx acclaimed conversion technology and rock-solid digital interface circuitry.

Aurora provides professional I/O interfacing for ease of installation in most studios read more and live sound applications. The analog I/O is electronically balanced and supports both +4dBU and 10dBV nominal levels. The AES digital I/O is transformer coupled and is capable of driving 500 feet of cable at 192kHz. Both dual and single-wire AES channel modes are supported.

Aurora's ergonomically designed front panel provides easy access to important controls and signal status. Unique to this product class, Aurora also offers extensive remote control capability. All front panel features as well as other low-level options can be controlled from the Lynx AES16 digital interface card on Windows and Macintosh platforms; a Pocket PC or laptop via infrared; MIDI; or an LSlot interface card. Multiple remote set-up configurations can be stored and recalled.

The on-board 32-channel digital mixer provides extensive routing and mixing options. Acting as a powerful patch bay-style digital router, Aurora can easily route signals between analog and digital inputs on a channel-by-channel basis. Mixing capability on each output also provides flexible zero-latency monitoring.

The LSlot expansion port accepts cards that provide compatibility with current and emerging digital interface standards, including Firewire, ADAT, and others. In addition to soon-to-be released LSlot cards, the LSlot port is compatible with existing Lynx LStream cards including the LS-ADAT and LS-AES.

Lynx's proprietary SynchroLock jitter reduction technology, from the AES16, is also included. This exclusive feature provides extreme jitter reduction of up to 3000:1, allowing Aurora to output an extremely clean clock output for driving the digital audio system.

All analog and digital connections use DB25 connectors with industry standard pin-outs which are compatible with off-the-shelf cables from manufacturers such as Mogami, ProCo, Hosa and others.
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Analog I/O
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: 24 ohms

-- Unbalanced mode: 12 ohms

Output impedance:

-- Balanced mode: 100 ohms

-- Unbalanced mode: 50 ohms

Output drive: 600 ohms impedance, 0.2 uF capacitance

A/D and D/A type: 24-bit multi-level, delta-sigma

Analog-in Performance
Frequency response: 20 Hz -- 20 kHz, +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%) @ -1 DBFS

-- -104 dB (0.0006%) @ -6 DBFS

-- 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW

Analog-out Performance
Frequency response: 20 Hz -- 20 kHz, +0/-0.1 dB

Dynamic range: 117 dB, A-weighted

Channel crosstalk: -120 dB max., 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS

THD+N:

-- -107 dB (0.00045%) @ -1 DBFS

-- -106 dB (0.00050%) @ -6 DBFS

-- 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW

Digital I/O
Number/type:

-- Aurora 16 - 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

LSlot Expansion Port
Compatibility: supports Lynx LSlot and LStream expansion cards

Channels: up to 16 input and 16 output simultaneously @192 kHz sample rate

On-board Digital Mixer (via AES16)
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 -114 dB on all inputs and outputs

Connections
Digital I/O ports:

-- Two 25-pin female D-sub connectors

-- Port A: channels 1-8 I/O

-- Port B: channels 9-16 I/O

-- Yamaha pinout

Analog I/O ports:

-- Four 25-pin female D-sub connectors.

-- Analog in 1-8; Analog out 1-8; Analog in 9-16; 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 connectors

Remote Control Options
Function: controls all I/O, levels, monitoring, routing and setting recall

Method:

-- AES16: with PC or Macintosh

-- IrDA: For compatible Pocket PCs and laptops.

-- MIDI: Selected MIDI devices

General
AC power: 110 / 115 / 230 VAC, 70 watts

Size: 1.75 in. H x 19 in. W x 9 in. D

Shipping weight: 10 pounds

Certifications: CE and FCC class B EMI, CE product safety

Optional interface cards for Lslot:

-- LS-ADAT: Provides 16-channel at 48 kHz, 8-channel at 96 kHz, 4-channel at 192 kHz ADAT Optical I/O

-- LS-AES: Provides 8-channel at 96 kHz or 4-channel at 192 kHz AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital I/O

-- LT-FW800: LSlot card. 16-channel Firewire I/O connection

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-545-4700

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (24 ratings)
Submitted September 6, 2010 by a customer from gmail.com

"Lynx Aurora 16 VT with Pro Tools card is way better then you can possibly imagine. Dont look at the price - Aurora is way better"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I think I have found the converter I will be using for as long as 192khz 24 bit is accepted as a format for delivering to my customers. I cannot see I would ever need a better converter. Anyone tried Prism? Is there really any good arguments to buy Prism when you have Lynx Aurora?

Sound
Revolutionized my studio...and I had Digidesign 192 before this Lynx Aurora 16. Improvements were: 1- My Blue Sky surround system and my Event AS8 speakers suddenly sounded much more the same. With 192 they were very different. I am sure there is an explanation, have some ideas myself, but for now - just a huge improvement. 2- My Oram BEQ series 8 have been useless with 192, all outputs except the 8 truly balanced group outputs and the 2 main outputs have been just full of noise. Sad - because every 24 channels have a direct output with individual level control. Thought the mixer was badly buildt, but turns out it was the 192. Now with Aurora 16, I can use every single output from the mixer, no noise whatsoever. 3- 192 has some incredibly slow relays that click on and off every time you change sample rate. Takes to three seconds. In Soud Forge this have driven me mad. Becaus when you hit play the relays click, wait three seconds, then sound, but not the first few secs of the tune is played. Then add a plugin, hit preview...click...wait three seconds...open file on disc...click...wait three seconds...etc etc. With Aurora 16 - all clicks are gone, files and read more plugs and previews just play with no delay whatsoever. 4- All my mixes on 192 have been to bright. Didnt think it was possible, but it seems to be because 192 just sounds extremely muffled in high freq. No "shimmer" could be heard, no depth (add a reverb and wonder if its really on..??)...etc. With Lynx Aurora - all probs gone. Sound is solid, controlled, detalied, full of depth, high freqs are there...suddenly my monitors sound really good! And they should...they are not bad monitors. Especially the Blue Sky system is supposed to be rather high end. 5- Lynx has hazzle free connections. Not like with Digi 192 where you actually have to read the manual before you can dare to connect anything. Use wrong cabling on 192 - that is standard cables - and it might burn your AD card. Happened to me...2 channels died, maybe because of some cabling issue, or maybe because 192 is just very poorly buildt. 6- Digi 192 has an unbelievable noisy fan!! Not be believed! No way it can be mounted in your control room. Totally freekin jumbo jet!! Lynx Aurora of course is without a fan...now mounted half a meter in front of me...looking good, no noise either accoustically or electronically...just sits there and convert audio going in and out, sounding very close to one of the better 2 inch reel maschines we used to have. Fantastic sound. Fantastic. Amazing. Just mount it with a rack space over and nder it free...it gets a bit hot. Best converter I have heard. And the only ones I havent heard are Prism, Mytec, DAD. I have heard the best RADAR System...that was good. I think Aurora might be better. I will NOT hear Avids new interfaces, seems that they are just revamped 192. Never again an Avid or Digidesign AD DA or hardware at all in my studio. They have degraded my sound and quality at work for many years. Ill ceek the HD3 system because I have PT card in the Aurora...but who knows for how long. If Avid makes more mistakes, like trying to be fantastically rude and greedy (they have a tradition for this over at Avid Digidesign) when they eventually make an upgrade package for the HD3 to the new system that is coming,Ill just buy a firewire card for the Aurora, maybe 300 USD, throw the whole Digidesign system in the ocean or destroy it with a hammer just to feel the thrill of revenge, and start up Sonar and get back to making music again!:-) That will be very very very good. Avid - GOODBYE!! Lynx, welcome!! And thank you for making the product so hazzle free that I actually enjoy working in my studio again. Just make sure you get that firewire card really stable and troubble free in the near future - and I am a customer for as long as you and I stay in the audio business. Lynx Aurora saved my studio. Makes me feel like I am back in the old days, say 1985 to 1995 when studio gear could be trusted. We used to make music back then, not read stupid manuals and surf the net all day for solutions on how to make costly gear we bought work like the seller promised...:-)

Features
I would like a SPdif or AES stereo input/output on coax. Not important. Ill find some box with adat and spdif/aes in/out on it, with aes multichannel digital on it, and hook it up to the Aurora. Aurora has 16 analogue in. 16 analogoue out. 16 AES digital in. 16 AES digital out. All of them can be used in one go. No turning off analog ins to use digital ins like on the 192. Nope - all ins and outs are active all the time. Aurora 16 replaces 2 Digidesign 192s....sounds better...works better...got it new for half the price of a new 192. Unbelievable. Fantastic.

Ease of Use
Its perfect. No learning curve. Hook up, turn it on, make music, get happy cutomers, make money, buy house where the sun shines. Become happier - see how that makes your family happier.

Quality
Before buying this new one, I got an offer to buy a second hand unit that had been used for three years on remote recordings. That is - on the road for three years with no problem. Unit like new. Bought the new one because model is a tiny bit upgraded. Variable trim pots and some say with a slightly better headroom. Never heard anyone have issues with their Lynx stuff, cards, converters, nada. No probs. And I know quite a few users that have had their Lynx stuff for years. Silly me who didnt join the club earlier.

Value
No single product in the entire business will come close to give the same value for money as the Lynx Aurora 16 VT with PT card. NOT CLOSE. Its a Rolls Royce priced as a Ford Fiesta. Or Chrysler Neon for you US guys.

Manufacturer Support
I hope thay are as good as I claim, but I do not think I will ever need them. Read a lot about issues with FW card for Aurora...seems to have been some probs there and support people seemed to have a stronge urge to find foults in the customers computers and everything else except in their Lynx FW card. I hope this is history?? Anyway - the support people at Lynx seemed to have tried to help. The geezers at Digidesign support never could do anything else for me than try to help me pronounce my serial numbers and registration data better. Funny.

The Wow Factor
Have it. Will buy another a bit later on.

Musical Background:
Recording Engineer, sound designer, musician since 1987.

Musical Style:
Antything else than Hip Hop, Trance, Rap, the new socalled R&B....
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No longer available at zZounds

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