Lynx Aurora - Really Mastering Quality?

[formlabs]

8 channels of AD/DA for a Lynx Aurora is less than 2 channels for Lavry Blue, Apogee Rosetta, etc... Do they really compete?

[It'sJoeAgain]

Originally Posted by formlabs

8 channels of AD/DA for a Lynx Aurora is less than 2 channels for Lavry Blue, Apogee Rosetta, etc... Do they really compete?

It competes but depending on who u ask, it may not always win...

[jayfrigo]

We just had a thread on this a week or two ago:
Lynx Aurora used in Mastering?

[Jesse Graffam]

Indeed. And my comment was Lynx is HIGHLY over-rated, and over-priced. Regardless of price, they got their reputation like 15 years ago (and imo still was over-inflated then), and things have changed since then.

[jayfrigo]

Didn't see your comment in that thread, and I can't say I agree. An Aurora 16 seems quite affordable per channel to me, and while it doesn't live up to things like Lavry and Prism, it certainly competes very well with other things in its class, like Apogee or Benchmark.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by jayfrigo

Didn't see your comment in that thread, and I can't say I agree. An Aurora 16 seems quite affordable per channel to me, and while it doesn't live up to things like Lavry and Prism, it certainly competes very well with other things in its class, like Apogee or Benchmark.

I would agree. Although I need trims on my mastering AD/DA, and unless you get the Aurora 16VT, there are none on the 8 Channel unit. Otherwise, I think they label it a "mastering" AD/DA converter becasue of its distortion specification, and other highly impressive specifications, but it does not have the features you would want/expect/need for the application that is mastering, IMO.

[space2012]

Originally Posted by formlabs

8 channels of AD/DA for a Lynx Aurora is less than 2 channels for Lavry Blue, Apogee Rosetta, etc... Do they really compete?

the Lynx SynchroLock(TM) clock is not AES Grade1.
Mastering quality clocks are Atomic or minium TCXO or OCXO with clean power and silver cables.
page3. Clock Accuracy:
http://www.drawmer.com/uploads/File/...clock-sync.pdf

in the analog circuit design/components:
Universal Audio 2192 much better DA.
Manley SLAM! Digital much better AD.
Burl B2 Much warmer AD.

some Auroras sound strange, maybe the cable, dont know.
but those that sound good, are much better than Lavry, Rosetta,

... hear how good a good Aurora AD sound is against others:...
A-D Conversion Test & Redux

test A/D D/A - without personal bias & without ears!

Found: Lavry Gold AD122-96MKIII vs. Apogee AD-16x

[Sunbreak Music]

Originally Posted by space2012

the Lynx SynchroLock(TM) clock is not AES Grade1.

That's not a term I've heard before (I'm a WC guy myself), but I can't find any reference to it other than Drawmer ads. Who else is or isn't AES Grade 1 in the mastering converter side of things?

I would think few of us are using AES/EBU as a clock source.

[formlabs]

Thanks for the info and links to tests. I'm leaning towards a Mytek 96 or Lavry Blue system, but the Aurora has 8 channels, which is very appealing to me, since I also do mixing work - and would like to get setup for surround eventually.

It seems that the issue with Aurora might be that there is a lack of consistent quality in their gear?

I'm just going to have to find a place that I can A/B in person against other options.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by formlabs

t seems that the issue with Aurora might be...

It takes more than one post on the internet to come to such a conclusion. Do some more searching, and of course do some listening if you can. If you want the best possible stereo conversion for mastering, get a Lavry or Prism. If you want a really good multi-purpose, multi-channel box, Lynx Aurora should definitely considered. It's not a Lavry gold, but I don't think one could reasonably expect it to be.

[Audiop]

I'd say that the Aurora is mastering grade since (especially at high sampling speeds) with most material, most people can typically not hear a difference between what goes in and what comes out.

I have never heard about quality problems before so I have to agree with Jay on that one.


/Peter

[philip]

Originally Posted by Audiop

I'd say that the Aurora is mastering grade since (especially at high sampling speeds) with most material, most people can typically not hear a difference between what goes in and what comes out.

I have never heard about quality problems before so I have to agree with Jay on that one.


/Peter

I thought Aurora didn't pass the LTS F/E test?

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by Sunbreak Music

That's not a term I've heard before (I'm a WC guy myself), but I can't find any reference to it other than Drawmer ads. Who else is or isn't AES Grade 1 in the mastering converter side of things?

I would think few of us are using AES/EBU as a clock source.

From that same document: "A Grade 1 clock is suitable for synchronizing a multi-studio facility... A Grade 2 clock... ...is generally considered adequate for synchronizing equipment in a single-studio facility."

In other words it does not really seem too relevant to this discussion for most mastering studios.

Alistair

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by uncajesse

Indeed. And my comment was Lynx is HIGHLY over-rated, and over-priced. Regardless of price, they got their reputation like 15 years ago (and imo still was over-inflated then), and things have changed since then.

overpriced?

They're cheap as chips - especially for what you get.....

Fantastic value for money - sure not the best in the world. But NOTHING in that price bracket competes for the channel count. Not by a long way.

[ONDRAY]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

I would agree. Although I need trims on my mastering AD/DA, and unless you get the Aurora 16VT, there are none on the 8 Channel unit. Otherwise, I think they label it a "mastering" AD/DA converter becasue of its distortion specification, and other highly impressive specifications, but it does not have the features you would want/expect/need for the application that is mastering, IMO.

That's a good point, I guess mastering grade AD/DA's should have adjustable trims. What other features are a must in a mastering AD/DA that the aurora doesn't have? One thing the Aurora doesn't have is a nice segmented LED for level inputs, would you say this is as important

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by space2012

some Auroras sound strange, maybe the cable, dont know.
but those that sound good, are much better than Lavry, Rosetta,

??????? what are you talking about??? QC issues???
why one should sound so different from each other...from strange to amazing?
Can you please explain that?
Thanks!

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by ONDRAY

That's a good point, I guess mastering grade AD/DA's should have adjustable trims. What other features are a must in a mastering AD/DA that the aurora doesn't have? One thing the Aurora doesn't have is a nice segmented LED for level inputs, would you say this is as important

Bingo!

Metering!!

[alcopop]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Bingo!

Metering!!

I could be wrong about this but I thought Lynx updated the software so that you can record in mono/stereo or monitor the master buss with the 8 leds (x2) moving horizontally providing 8 segment stereo metering ?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by alcopop

I could be wrong about this but I thought Lynx updated the software so that you can record in mono/stereo or monitor the master buss with the 8 leds (x2) moving horizontally providing 8 segment stereo metering ?

I think you are right, and I am entirely wrong.

[alcopop]

God , if I could only hear those words out of my girlfriends mouth !

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by alcopop

God , if I could only hear those words out of my girlfriends mouth !

It can be done. Does she ask you about mastering?

[alcopop]

She said the next time i mention it she's going for the kitchen knives

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by alcopop

She said the next time i mention it she's going for the kitchen knives

Tell her, stabbing you would be the only application for the knives if you couldn't master records and put some grub on the table.

[alcopop]

[quoted comment deleted by mod]

I agree, totally uncalled for !
I happen to use the Lynx Aurora. All my clients have been very happy with my work and I don't feel in anyway that it prohibits me from getting the job done .
Maybe I just got one from the good batch !

[space2012]

Originally Posted by AMIEL

??????? what are you talking about??? QC issues???
why one should sound so different from each other...from strange to amazing?
Can you please explain that?
Thanks!

taking out the wordclock variable.
ive heard diferent auroras, some sound "bad",
but some sound incredible better.
search gearslutz, there are same tests done with diferent auroras.
...
i have 4x roland mmp-2,
measuring with RMAA, 2 have the exact same flaw +/-2dB in the freq. response, but thats not enough to make them sound diferent.
could be a bach of component failure,
bad quality cappacitors, or resitors.

but the most logical conclution ive thinked so far its the digital cables.
digital cables are verry sensible to bad quality copper, EMI, RFI, CM.

Lynx digital cables are unknown quality. some get lucky some dont.
also could be AC power, its diferent everywhere.
thats what i think, it could be.

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Sunbreak Music

That's not a term I've heard before (I'm a WC guy myself), but I can't find any reference to it other than Drawmer ads. Who else is or isn't AES Grade 1 in the mastering converter side of things?

I would think few of us are using AES/EBU as a clock source.

AES11-2003 is the AES.org standard for quality.
AES/EBU is the interface, digital interconection.

some measurements by TC Electronics with the 3 most advanced measurement systems,
LeCroy, AudioPrecision and Aeroflex,
show Wordclock vs. AES/EBU vs. S/PDIF vs. TOSLINK vs. ADAT clock diferences.
and also between diferent clocks, clock B is one of the best.

AES.org sell those papers "standards".
http://www.aes.org/tmpFiles/aessc/20...s11-2003-i.pdf
AES11 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Standards In Print Search Results

if you want to read all about it, you must purchase the .pdf from AES.org
The:
AES11-2003

other interesting to read:
http://www.tcelectronic.com/media/fr...lay_aes116.pdf
http://www.tcelectronic.com/Media/fr...ocks_tc(1).pdf
Jitter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
jitter | PS Audio

[Sunbreak Music]

I'm an AES member, so getting the pubs isn't a prob--thanks for the links. I'll check them out.

But really....who's clocking in a mastering facility w/ AES connections? There's no shortage of data explaining the perils of sending audio along w/ the clock.

[e-cue]

Originally Posted by formlabs

8 channels of AD/DA for a Lynx Aurora is less than 2 channels for Lavry Blue, Apogee Rosetta, etc... Do they really compete?

Yes. I own Lynx, Benchmark, and Weiss convertors. I think the weakest thing when comparing them in a mastering stage is how they perform when in the red's. They are good, but not as good as, say, the Db Tech/ Lavry's when slammed with some soft sat being used. When you aren't clipping, they do sound great and are on par, regardless of cost.

A mac version of the metering software would also be well welcome, although less an issue for most of the PC dominated mastering crowd.

I tend to side with my ears over a youtube link. I'm kookie like that.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by space2012

t

Lynx digital cables are unknown quality. some get lucky some dont.
also could be AC power, its diferent everywhere.
thats what i think, it could be.

Which Digital cables? I mean , in my case I am using the analog 16 Out of the Aurora into my Dangerous 2 Bus...

In the event you are Mixing ITB all is internal and at the end you monitor thru D/A.(analog cables to you Monitor Section)

So in which situation do you mean digital cables? and also if the digital cables are not good , that is not fault of the Aurora 16.

Probably if you use those mediocre cables with a Lavry will have same effect don't you think???


I am just trying to understand what are you saying, so if you can give us a precise explanation.

and thanks for your previous info.

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by space2012

[quoted comment removed by mod]

And if the only explanation you can think of for different sounds in questionable tests done by people that you don't know is that some Aurora's must be broken, you are in the wrong forum. And, frankly, the wrong medium.

Anyway, I've never listened to an Aurora and I don't trust tests with no proper test methodology given. One must be a complete lunatic to base one's judgement on such unqualified tests.

So about this 2012 thing...

Alistair