Convertors in Masterlink

StuartMac · 11th February 2004

What is the next step up from the A/D convertor in a Masterlink? I lust after a Cranesong HEDD after having heard it used on one of my albums (cheers, Jazzius!!) but what's out there for less £££s that will be a SIGNIFICANT improvement?

I've heard it said (or read) that the Masterlink's ADC is as good as the PSX-100, and a dealer who could easily have sold me the Apogee also claimed this. So how much do I need to invest to improve my convertors?

Skeetch · 11th February 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Kent
Just a thought here. You might want to contact Audio Upgrades in order to see what they can do for your Masterlink.

www.audioupgrades.com

I've had the ML mod done by Jim. The converters themselves don't get changed out as they're SM'd to the board IIRC. However, a number of components that both lead and follow the converters are changed out and the results are quite good.

ZEUSS · 11th February 2004

You would figure that Alesis would have come out with a MK2 version by now sinse it has been a rather succesful product. I used to use mine all of the time but now I just run the mix back into PT. They need to put a removable drive and a scrub wheel on it. Firewire port would be nice. Put a DVD/CDR combo writer in it. Maybe even a GUI program to run it remotely? Wordclock input would be good.

ajcamlet · 11th February 2004

Alesis isnt exactly in the pro audio business anymore. Bought out by Numark. You can see where there product line has headed since then.

Dont expect to see any changes to the masterlink.

Ted Nightshade · 12th February 2004

Selling a HEDD BTW. See Classifieds. Could be less than you think. And the DSP tube & tape trip can be just the ticket sometimes- I got lots of real tubes and tape so it's not necessary around here.

I would advise against making a small jump- go for something classy and really well-made.

The Masterlink converters are from hell, IMHO- the DAC will make you think things are wrong with your audio that are not wrong with it, even if you use nice converters on the way in. Could well be though that the audio upgrades route is worth it.

Bernd G · 12th February 2004

Suggest LAVRY convertors and/or external clocking. Also, let Jim Williams (audioupgrades) change some of the cheap and slow opamps and caps.
That should do it: $ 3000 later.

11th February 2004	#1
StuartMac Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 893 Thread Starter	Convertors in Masterlink What is the next step up from the A/D convertor in a Masterlink? I lust after a Cranesong HEDD after having heard it used on one of my albums (cheers, Jazzius!!) but what's out there for less £££s that will be a SIGNIFICANT improvement? I've heard it said (or read) that the Masterlink's ADC is as good as the PSX-100, and a dealer who could easily have sold me the Apogee also claimed this. So how much do I need to invest to improve my convertors?

12th February 2004	#6
Bernd G Gear addict Joined: Dec 2002 Location: NY Posts: 337	Suggest LAVRY convertors and/or external clocking. Also, let Jim Williams (audioupgrades) change some of the cheap and slow opamps and caps. That should do it: $ 3000 later. __________________ BG

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11th February 2004	#3
ZEUSS Gear addict Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 379	You would figure that Alesis would have come out with a MK2 version by now sinse it has been a rather succesful product. I used to use mine all of the time but now I just run the mix back into PT. They need to put a removable drive and a scrub wheel on it. Firewire port would be nice. Put a DVD/CDR combo writer in it. Maybe even a GUI program to run it remotely? Wordclock input would be good.

11th February 2004	#4
ajcamlet Lives for gear Joined: May 2003 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 519	Alesis isnt exactly in the pro audio business anymore. Bought out by Numark. You can see where there product line has headed since then. Dont expect to see any changes to the masterlink.

12th February 2004	#5
Ted Nightshade Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: state of jefferson Posts: 1,328	Selling a HEDD BTW. See Classifieds. Could be less than you think. And the DSP tube & tape trip can be just the ticket sometimes- I got lots of real tubes and tape so it's not necessary around here. I would advise against making a small jump- go for something classy and really well-made. The Masterlink converters are from hell, IMHO- the DAC will make you think things are wrong with your audio that are not wrong with it, even if you use nice converters on the way in. Could well be though that the audio upgrades route is worth it.