2 Channel DA Convertor For FOH

[Murton]

I'm currently debating the concept of a high end 2 channel DA for FOH duties for the main stereo output and if the increased quality would be worth it over my LS9-16's standard outputs.

The LS9 is already clocked by a Big Ben and hearing the difference my ProFire 2626's DA's improving so noticeably with the clock behind it to my studio monitors I wondered what a dedicated DA like a Mini DAC or a Rossetta 200/800 would do to improve things when driving a live PA.

[hanuman]

It all depends on the chain, but when it is strong, a great DA will make a significant difference. I don't know if you have one but why not spend an afternoon trying several. Personally i am totally blasted (still) by Orpheus. It would be great if they would release a two/in, two-out version.

[Murton]

I'd love to try an afternoon withthe rig setup, a band to use and a bunch of different components to try and see their effect.

I've already done this with the Big ben and the AB test made it clearly worth the purchase. It does make it sound two thousand dollars better.

It's more so the latency involved that I am worried about if going out of the SPDIF or ADAT to the unit if it will incur more latency than the standard DA on the console.

[mixedupsteve]

I've always heard that the clock is the solution on Yamahas. If you try a different DA you would still have the same AD going in but what the heck, try it.

[Remoteness]

You are only as good as your weakest link.
What are you using as your frontend A to D convertors?

[Murton]

I'm using the stock pres in the LS9 aswell as some from m-audio profire 2626's via ADAT to the LS9. I'd love to 16 decent remote pres later on down the track and a Dante card for a digital multicore but thats a fair way down the track.

[Remoteness]

You could research and test if an external D/A will improve your sound.
You could also hold out for better A/Ds.

Even if you don't have the scratch for the A/Ds right now, why not demo that scenario anyway.
At least you will know what works best for you and your situation.

[mixedupsteve]

Give it a try and see. Keep in mind also that speaker processors, crossovers and other goodies downstream from the mixer most likely have their own ADDA built in too.

[Northernaudioman]

Hi,

I use the Benchmark DAC1 or Focusrite 260 D to A on the LS9 and it sounds much nicer. In comparison to the LS9 D to A's the Benchmark has a much better stereo image, much better 'depth', nicer high end, well worth doing. The Focusrite converters make it sound much more 'analogue' - doesn't have the same stereo width, but way better than the internal converters. Also I have a Euphonix MA703 MADI to Analogue converter unit that sounds great - very very clean, on a par with the Benchmark.

I did try a BigBen on the Yamaha M7 but with the stock D to A converters I couldn't notice a big improvement, I was told that Yamaha re-clock everything in the desk anyway, so if you use an external clock then it just sync's the internal clock to this ( rather than actually using the external clock, keeping the jitter etc the same ), so not making a big difference, but maybe the LS9 is different? Maybe lets not open that debate......I will try an Apogee on an LS9 and see if my jaded ears can hear the difference!

Hope this helps.

Oliver.

[aussie_techie]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

Give it a try and see. Keep in mind also that speaker processors, crossovers and other goodies downstream from the mixer most likely have their own ADDA built in too.

If your using a digital processor you best bet is to skip the conversion stages and keep a digital signal from your desk to the processor. I know thats not always possible though.

[Roland]

I would look at your AD end first, DA's these days are all pretty good, even AD's are getting there now, (a number of much better chips on the markets these days I believe). Personally I wouldn't sweat it too much, the LS 9 is a decent sounding console for the kind of money it is.

Regards



Roland

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Murton

The LS9 is already clocked by a Big Ben and hearing the difference my ProFire 2626's DA's improving so noticeably with the clock behind it to my studio monitors I wondered what a dedicated DA like a Mini DAC or a Rossetta 200/800 would do to improve things when driving a live PA.

I would debate the clocking difference, it's reclocked within the desk so an external clock is of no effect. Dave Rat fan some tests on the M7cl with expternal clocking and couldn't detect any difference he (or his guys), could measure or hear.

Regards


Roland

[pmx]

i've had a lot of succes using a hedd with digico's and m7's + ls9's.

[Scott Reiber]

Black Lion makes a 2 channel convertor that is under $1000 that sounds as good as units 3 times the price. Call them and get them to send you one for demo. You will not be sorry.