Need High End A/D D/A Converter

[Nostalgic]

I need a better converter, plain and simple, but I want to keep it in the 2K budget... so a used score is going to be ideal.

I need this to be..

- Use-able on PC
- Use-able with Pro Tools M-Powered 8
- At minimum 8 channels..

I've looked at Myteks, Lynx and Apogee brands.. even RME but I've heard it's not the same...

The digidesign pro tools hd is out of the question right now... but I'd want something I can use with pro tools hd later, (within 6 months)

[RDSQR]

i really like my lucid 88192.

[Nostalgic]

how does it connect to my PC?

[doulos24]

nostalgic why do people like you with no recording knowledge whatso ever keep forking over tons of money in high end equipment you dont know how to use? the lucid is not a audio interface, but a converter analog to digital or digital to analog. For input you go in the analog in and come out the digital out to the digital in of your interface for output you go out the digital out of your interface into the digital in of the lucid and out the outputs of the lucid you need a interface that has adat optical in and out this is clearly what we call overkill. This piece is not really ment for your prosumer interface for example every aes/ebu would be for decoration as you have nothing that works with the format.

[doulos24]

I'll give you 4 good reasons to buy a lucid are you ready?
1 your tracking 8 inputs through quality outboard preamps or a console.
2 sending 8 outputs in and out of a mix at the same time through hardware compressors eqs etc on mix down.
3 Your stem mixing through an analog board you like the sound of say a drum mix through 8 compressors etc or 8 busses out to a stereo channel
4 you need acurate output for surround mixing 5.1 6.1 7.1 etc

with what you have right now i suggest a 2 channel ad da converter unless your upgrading your interface as well to something like a digi 003 or similar interface. A good 2 channel upgrade for you would be a rme ad1-2 it's 800 bucks but will improve your conversion quality 2 in and 2 out. The 2 out is more important imho because it gives you a much better ability to mix then prosumer converters wider sound stage less mud in the low end it's easier to hear your mix rather then hear your converters everything seems to sit better when your listening back on quality converters that's my 2 cents

[Nostalgic]

Originally Posted by doulos24

nostalgic why do people like you with no recording knowledge whatso ever keep forking over tons of money in high end equipment you dont know how to use?

^ Arrogant and inaccurate..

No recording knowledge???

I have PLENTY of recording knowledge, plenty of countless, sleepless nights of studying, plenty of school, plenty of experience, plenty of trail and error.

I simply am new to learning A/D and D/A converstion stuff... I'm was entirely new to it last week..

I own a Digi 003 rack btw.

I'll ignore that ignorant statement... but thanks for your input.

[FadersmakmeHappy]

I think your best bet might be to have Black Lion mod your 003. Seems that most people are pretty happy with the mod. I don't think it will cost you a ton of money either.

FWIW- You can score a Lynx aurora for around 2k also. Pretty neutral converter with good definition.

Do you have a PCI card slot on your computer or are you going in FW?

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by doulos24

nostalgic why do people like you with no recording knowledge whatso ever keep forking over tons of money in high end equipment you dont know how to use? the lucid is not a audio interface, but a converter analog to digital or digital to analog. For input you go in the analog in and come out the digital out to the digital in of your interface for output you go out the digital out of your interface into the digital in of the lucid and out the outputs of the lucid you need a interface that has adat optical in and out this is clearly what we call overkill. This piece is not really ment for your prosumer interface for example every aes/ebu would be for decoration as you have nothing that works with the format.

It's just a converter question....

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

I need a better converter, plain and simple, but I want to keep it in the 2K budget... so a used score is going to be ideal.

I need this to be..

- Use-able on PC
- Use-able with Pro Tools M-Powered 8
- At minimum 8 channels..

I've looked at Myteks, Lynx and Apogee brands.. even RME but I've heard it's not the same...

The digidesign pro tools hd is out of the question right now... but I'd want something I can use with pro tools hd later, (within 6 months)

The Apogee Rosetta 800 can be purchased brand new for $2300, if you shop around.
I know there are many comparison threads out there, and the Apogee may be streching your budget a little bit, but it is quality sounding converter, and built to last for a long time. I also like the soft limit option "just in case". I have mine as the master clock and 8 a/d to a 003 with just 1 lightpipe cable.

Good luck Brotha!

[Nostalgic]

Originally Posted by FadersmakmeHappy

I think your best bet might be to have Black Lion mod your 003. Seems that most people are pretty happy with the mod. I don't think it will cost you a ton of money either.

FWIW- You can score a Lynx aurora for around 2k also. Pretty neutral converter with good definition.

Do you have a PCI card slot on your computer or are you going in FW?

I was going to absolutely do the black lion audio mod to me 003 rack. I heard about it yesterday and did some research and it seems awesome... definitely may replace the converter route in its entirety.

[ensoniq]

2,5 K ! get 8 channel Lynx Aurora.

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

I was going to absolutely do the black lion audio mod to me 003 rack. I heard about it yesterday and did some research and it seems awesome... definitely may replace the converter route in its entirety.

When I bought my 003, I also considered getting the BLA mod.
There seems to be many people who really like it, I am sure it is a quality upgrade....just consider that if you put money into a mod 003, you probably wont get that investment back when you decide to sell it.
On the other hand, if you choose to buy a quality converter / clock like the Aurora or Apogee, they hold their value pretty well.

Good luck!

[Nostalgic]

^ thats true... I see people trying to sell their 003 racks with the mod and it's just a toughie unless it's what someone is specifically looking for.


But if the BLA mod is as good as they say it is, it's possible I may have it for a very long time...

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

^ thats true... I see people trying to sell their 003 racks with the mod and it's just a toughie unless it's what someone is specifically looking for.


But if the BLA mod is as good as they say it is, it's possible I may have it for a very long time...

I can see going the BLA route...
One last 2 cents;
If you purchased a good outboard converter used, you may get 100% of your money back when you sell.
I recently sold alot of outboard gear here on GS, craigslist. and ebay to fund new purchases, and some of the quality used pieces like my apogee 2 channel and lexicon reverbs sold for more than what I paid.
I took a bath on the Soundcraft Ghost, but that is another story. lol

Good luck with your music.

[GYang]

Lynx Aurora looks like apparent choice.

[ddageek]

The point Yetti made is valid , I'm not dissing you here, but if value down the road is that important, put your money in the bank! In the US as lonng as it's less than 100k it's safe, if your payin for tools or toys, your investment is about what it brings to you!
To the OP the guy who responded to your question about hookup was a bit brisk, but when you list your gear on hear like a badage of honor, one assumes you have read the manual and understand the connections (BTW why did you want something that works with M-Powered when you currently have a LE based system?)
Now you want better conversion, OK How many channels do you need? What sample rates do you want to work at? Why are you tied to Digidesign? You do realize that as far as sonic magnitude the DA and AD are going offer a very small amount rather than say a differnt mic or preamp?
If you are married to PT the BLA mod would be my first choice, 8 channels of up to 96k converters 8 mic pres that are comparable in quality to a large soundcraft or say my DDA, these not Neve Or API vibe esc pres.
2 channels maybe a pick your favorite combination. On a budget used 2 ch lucid AD/DA use one of the lucids as the master Clock!
Going the light bridge rout is an option, but for everyone who has made it work there is one who has had problems.
And your latency is going to go up !
Adding an 8 ch box via Adat light pipe to a 003 works, but nothing higher than 48k, If I went this route the cuuernt lucid or older 48k Lucid 8 ch would be fine very underrated.
I have a client who uses an old apogee ad8000 with adat card and the 8 ch da card great sounding rig at 44.1 or 48.

[jerulm]

THE ROSSETTA 800 IS A GREAT PIECE OF GEAR BUT CONNECT IT TO A BIG BEN WORD CLOCK IT IS THEN PHENOMENAL. THE INTERNAL CLOCK IS GOOD NOT GREAT SPEND ANOTHER 1.4K AND YOU WILL HEAR THE DIFFERENCE. ALSO TIE IN YOUR LUCID INTO THE WORD CLOCK ALSO. WE HAVE BOTH TO THE WORD CLOCK SHAZAM MAGIC HAPPENS. HE'S RIGHT THE LUCID IS NOT AN INTERFACE BUT A HIGH HIGH END AD/DA CONVERTER VIA LIGHT PIPES IT IS THE BOMB AND ONE OF THE BEST WE HAVE HEARD ESPECIALLY SYNC TO AN EXTERNAL WORD CLOCK AND THATS WORD.

[D Becks]

Hi, say s it the same problem towards a increase of lantency connecting a 2-channel interface to spdif? I dont mind working 44.1 its just that I want 88.2 for my setup. And a wise guy said once do not let go to principels

[ChuncleMalone]

Yup get a ULN-8

[Magucci]

Originally Posted by ChuncleMalone

Yup get a ULN-8

It'd be my suggestion as well or the Lio-8, but OP wanted a PC solution.
MH units are mac only.

Lynx Aurora is a very good solution.
Prism Orpheus is very nice, too.

[Pliplo]

Lynx Aurora

[audiokid]

Well I use RME ADI-8 QS' and they are very sweet. They have controls that you might discover come in handy once you start digging into hybrid.

No one mentioned the new UA Apollo though. that's exactly within his budget.

Two track high end, hmmm Lavry Blacks are great.
Orpheus is indeed great and simple.

hope that helps.

Cheers!