Apogee AD16X and DA16X session with HD

[ToddS]

I have been a loyal Prism user for a long time. I recently got a Big Ben and it gave me a nice improvement in my overall conversion quality, and enabled me to have more clocking flexibility. I needed another 16 channels of D/A and I thought that the DA16X would be a bargain compared to getting more Prisms; on top of that, many people I know have been raving about the new Apogee converters so I thought it couldn't hurt to give it a try.

I got my DA16X and XHD card Tuesday, hooked it up to my PT rig and gave it a listen. Immediately I could hear the difference. The imaging was better and the bottom end really opened up. So much more energy. The bad part is I can now hear some flaws in my mixes that I didn't hear before, so I have to remix. Aside from that, it was impressive enough that I went back to my dealer on Thursday and got an AD16X with an HD card to try in a new session that night.

Hookup was relatively painless, although I did have to update the AD16X firmware for the XHD card. After getting the unit hooked up and calibrated, I did some simultaneous tracking through the Prism and the AD16X (everything clocked to Big Ben). Again, the Apogee had better imaging, much better low end response, clearer mids, the entire sound field was just tighter and more accurate and everything just seemed to come alive.

Today I tried it recording some pre-recorded stuff off of tape to each box, without using Big Ben. The differences were a bit more pronounced; the Prisms sounded a bit thinner without Big Ben. At this point I am seriously considering selling my Prisms and getting an additional AD16x and DA16X for my rig. If anyone is looking for new converters, it would be worth it to check these out.

[Renie]

Are the convertors on the new 16X units the same as the Rosetta 800 and the Rosetta 200?

Come to think of it are the convertors even the same on the R800 and the R200?

Thanks,

[RichT]

Originally posted by Renie
Are the convertors on the new 16X units the same as the Rosetta 800 and the Rosetta 200?

Come to think of it are the convertors even the same on the R800 and the R200?

Thanks,

Renie,

According to Max from Apogee the convertors in the 16X units are better than the Rosetta 800 and the same as the Rosetta 200 (I think).

There was a thread on this in the Apogee forum, dunno where thats gone.

Anyhoo, I'm running the Rosetta 800 with no complaints so the newer models must be good.

I was tempted by the idea of Pro Tools just by picking up an HD card for my 800 and a core card. I'll start saving my pennies...

Cheers,
Rich

[Renie]

That sounds right Rich..thanks,

Nearly got the Rosetta 800 for the new HD system but went with the Digi 192..

[Dean Landon]

ToddS,

Having used both the Apogee AD16X and DA16X on your session, do you think they are a major upgrade to the PSX-100SE, which I was told is similar to the AD8000SE?

If you've recorded with the PSX, in your opinion, do you think the DIGI 192 has better converters than the PSX?

Thanks in advance.
Dean

[krid]

You only need one X-HD card to connect an AD16X and DA16X, right ?
On the Apogee website, they said about the X-HD card : "Expansion port for daisy-chaining multiple Apogee devices (AD-16X, DA-16X, Rosetta 800 & Rosetta 200)".

[tuna]

I think you need a X card on every box, without the card there's no way you can daisy-chaining them.

[ToddS]

Originally posted by Imagine
ToddS,

Having used both the Apogee AD16X and DA16X on your session, do you think they are a major upgrade to the PSX-100SE, which I was told is similar to the AD8000SE?

If you've recorded with the PSX, in your opinion, do you think the DIGI 192 has better converters than the PSX?

Thanks in advance.
Dean

I have not used a PSX100 so I can't really comment intelligently. From using a Trak2 in the past my guess would be that the PSX100SE is better than the Digi 192I/O but not as good as the new AD16X and DA16X. But this is pure speculation on my part so take it for what its worth.

[ToddS]

Originally posted by tuna
I think you need a X card on every box, without the card there's no way you can daisy-chaining them.

Yep. one for each unit.

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by Imagine
If you've recorded with the PSX, in your opinion, do you think the DIGI 192 has better converters than the PSX?

I'm not Todd, but I have used all of what you're talking about and have found that the A/D-D/A 16 sound worlds better than the ShitiDesign hardware, and bury the PSX-100 and the AD-8000SE in no small way. The earlier Apogee's get quite a bit better when driven with a Big Ben... but not as good as the newer stuff IMNTLBFHO.

I'm quite surprised to hear about the differences discovered between the Prism stuff and the Apogee stuff... I have yet to try the Prism's but have heard nothing but wild praise from the users with whom I have spoken.

Go figure.

[chap]

I have lot's of Apogee gear and have used Prism only a handful of times. Prism users have posted on improvements to their sound from attaching Big Ben. Hmmmmmm.....
I am biased towords Apogee's (I beta tested the X series and found them amazing). I find the Prism's to be quite good but.......polite, with good highs, not the butt kicking lows found in the X series. My new Apogee's are on order and I can't wait. Imagine, getting excited about converters.
Really, we should all get live's (and new converters)
best,
chap


the X series is equipped with the Big Ben clock but not the bells and whistles on an actual Big Ben.

[zimv20]

i've been eyeing the Rosetta 800, but have this felling that, as soon as i buy it, Apogee will release an update (800x or something) w/ the 16x converters and some Big Ben built in.

anyone else have this feeling? or actually know something about future products?

[Dean Landon]

I'm not Todd, but I have used all of what you're talking about and have found that the A/D-D/A 16 sound worlds better than the ShitiDesign hardware, and bury the PSX-100 and the AD-8000SE in no small way. The earlier Apogee's get quite a bit better when driven with a Big Ben... but not as good as the newer stuff IMNTLBFHO.

I'm quite surprised to hear about the differences discovered between the Prism stuff and the Apogee stuff... I have yet to try the Prism's but have heard nothing but wild praise from the users with whom I have spoken.

Go figure.

Fletcher,

I do have a Big Ben. Knowing that, am I better using the Digi 192 or PSX-100SE as a front end? The reason I ask is if the 192 w/BB is better in the overall sonic quality, then there's no reason to keep the PSX. Is there?

Thx
Dean

[Simon Lomax]

I have been looking to get some new converters and both prism and the new apogee x series are on my shootout list. I find it interesting that people find an improvement using a big ben with the prism unit, I will make sure that I give this a try as well.

People who have used both, would you say the prism gives a more natural sound and that the apogee has more of a sound about it?

I haven't heard either unit yet, but am interested to know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Simon

[ron florentine]

Murphys law man............I bought the original Apogee ad16 about 9 months ago....timing everything...........is the AD 16 x a big leep in sound quality compared to the original ad16......should i sell mine and take my losses or maybe just add big ben to my setup and that will get me close.....nowhere in town has this stuff so its a hard call without being able to compare myself between the two versions. Thanx

Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[Cluster]

Does ADC work in the same way with the Apogee as in does with the Digi boxes? I'm on Mytek (8channels in) and 192 and debating weather I should move to the Apogee.If these do sound as good as Prism then we're in for a treatat a fraction of the $$$, have to hear it to believe it.

[ToddS]

Originally posted by Fletcher
I'm quite surprised to hear about the differences discovered between the Prism stuff and the Apogee stuff... I have yet to try the Prism's but have heard nothing but wild praise from the users with whom I have spoken.

Go figure.

I was surprised too. I preferred the Prisms over the AD8000, but the Ad16X and DA16X are all that and more. They're definitely the best I've heard.

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by ron florentine
Murphys law man............I bought the original Apogee ad16 about 9 months ago....timing everything...........is the AD 16 x a big leep in sound quality compared to the original ad16......should i sell mine and take my losses or maybe just add big ben to my setup and that will get me close.....nowhere in town has this stuff so its a hard call without being able to compare myself between the two versions. Thanx

Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

I think I'd try the Big Ben route first. The differences are pretty large, but the Big Ben should get you a good bit of the way there.