Expanding its line of Aurora 192 kHz AD/DA converters, Lynx Studio Technology has announced the Aurora 16-VT Variable Trim model.
The
Lynx Studio Technology 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 Dumont, 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."
Analog input and output levels can be set between +8.5 dBu and +24 dBu24 Bit / 192 kHz Mastering Quality A/D and D/A conversion192 kHz AES/EBU I/O Supporting Single and Dual Wire ModesSingle Rack Space ConfigurationExtensive Remote Control Capability via Lynx AES16, IrDA, FireWire and MIDIOn-board 32 Channel Digital Mixer Provides Flexible I/O RoutingWord clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock Sample Clock TechnologyConnectivity via PCI, PCI Express with AES16 cards, ADAT, ProToolsHD, FireWire and MADI (mid 2009)
Analog I/O
Aurora 16-VT: Sixteen inputs and sixteen outputsType: Electronically balanced or unbalanced,Level: Continuously variable between +8.5 dBu and +24 dBu via internal trim potsInput Impedance: Balanced mode: 24k , Unbalanced mode: 12kOutput Impedance: Balanced mode: 100 , Unbalanced mode: 50Output Drive: 600 , impedance, 0.2 F capacitanceA/D and D/A Type: 24-bit multi-level, delta-sigma
Analog In Performance
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.1 dBDynamic Range: 117 dB, A-weightedChannel Crosstalk: -120 dB maximum, 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFSTHD + 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 dBDynamic Range: 117 dB, A-weightedChannel Crosstalk: -120 dB max., 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFSTHD + 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: 16 inputs and 16 outputs, 24 bit AES/EBU format, transformer coupledChannels: 16 in/out in single-wire mode, 8 in/out in dual-wire modeSample 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 latencyRouting: Ability to route any input to any or multiple outputsMixing: Up to four input or playback signals mixed to any output, 40-bit precisionStatus: Peak levels to -114 dB 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 standardAnalog 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 standardExternal Clock: 75BNC word clock input and outputMIDI: 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 recallMethod: AES16/AES16e : With PC or Macintosh, MIDI: Selected MIDI devices
General
AC Power: 100 / 115 / 230 VAC, 70 wattsSize: 1.75" H x 19" W x 9" DShipping Weight: 12 poundsCertifications: CE and FCC Class B EMI, CE Product Safety
LSlot? Expansion Port
Compatibility: Supports Lynx LSlot expansion cardsChannels: 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/OLT-HD: For Avid ProTools | HD / NativeLT-MADI: Provides up to 64 MADI I/O channelsLT-USB: Provides up to 16 I/O channels, USB 2.0LT-TB: Provides up to 32 channels