SSL Alpha Link AX vs. Lynx Aurora 16 and Apogee AD16x?

[MicSlut666]

Anyone have experience how the SSL Alpha Link AX sounds compared to Lynx Aurora and Apogee AD16x?

Can the SSL hold up against these two?

I only found one thread where the SSL was compared to an Apogee Rosetta 800, but the Rosetta was clocked external and the SSL internal because of some syn issues - so not a fair comparison i think.

[MicSlut666]

bump

[kittonian]

The SSL sounds great, as does the Lynx Aurora (both are wonderful converters and are being used in major studios every day). The question is more along the lines of what software will you be using with it? If you are doing a PT|HD rig, go with the Aurora16+LT-HD card. If you are running native software and require more than 16 channels, the SSL might be a good fit.

For native solutions that require a large number of channels (i.e. 72 channels of analog i/o) the SSL/RME MADI based solution end up being slightly less expensive (by a few hundred dollars).

For smaller situations where 16 or 32 channels of i/o is required, the Lynx Aurora16/AES16 solution is less expensive (however, remember that when using the Lynx solution natively you will either not have any digital i/o OR will need to purchase an additional AES16 card in order to gain 16x16 AES/EBU - this is because the connectivity to the computer is via the AES/EBU ports on the rear of the Aurora16 which in turn connect to the AES16 card). The SSL/RME MADI solution gives you that digital i/o as well as the 24 channels of analog i/o simultaneously.

Also, bear in mind that the Lynx goes to 192khz whereas the SSL goes to 96k.

Hope that helps!

[emfrank72]

Joshua,
How is the Aurora 16 with the LT-FW card?

[Kees de Visser]

Originally Posted by emfrank72

Joshua,
How is the Aurora 16 with the LT-FW card?

I'm not Joshua but I own an Aurora 16 LTFW connected to a MacBook. Works fine with both OS X and XP (Bootcamp). The Aurora has several "channel modes" which can be set by the remote control software: 8chAnalog, 8chAnalog+8chDigital, 16chAnalog, 16chAnalog+16chDigital (last mode max.96kHz). With the last mode it is possible to have 32 channels in total. FireWire bandwidth might be getting tight at 96kHz though.
Great reliable machine with excellent specs. How it sounds is up to your ears.

Kees de Visser

[kittonian]

Originally Posted by emfrank72

Joshua,
How is the Aurora 16 with the LT-FW card?

Well, Kees nailed it right on the head. The LT-FW is great if you're in need of a FW based solution. Personally I don't recommend FW for pro studios simply because the FW spec doesn't allow for serious track counts at high sample rates. However, if you're keeping things to a minimum I believe the LT-FW outperforms most any other FW solution available. Plus, as mentioned you can set it to 32-channel mode and achieve the same 16x16 analog and 16x16 aes/ebu as the LT-HD advanced routing mode does in PT.

I've actually sold a few to people who are using the Aurora in the studio but also want the flexibility to take the Aurora on remote recordings. They just pop in the LT-FW and away they go (that is, if they are using an LSlot card already, if not, it's there when they need it).

[MicSlut666]

bump