How do you guys rate the a/d converters on the Alesis ADAT HD24?

[Aloha]

Compared to stuff by aardvark, motu, the digi002, or rme?

[ajcamlet]

The converters in the XR version are a bit better, and certainly functional for the price....however, its no RADAR. Its comparable to the four you list in your post.

[Tim L]

Originally posted by ajcamlet
... Its comparable to the four you list in your post.

I haven't compared the HD24 directly with the one's mentioned above but I have comp'd them with The Lucid converters. I find they hold up surprisingly well next to the Lucid stuff @ 24/48k. Not quite as nice but pretty decent just the same. Barring the fact it says 'Alesis' on it, it's a pretty darn good machine... at least mine's been for the last two years anyway!

[Xestenz]

In a non-scientific direct comparison to the MOTU 2408II converters, both my studio partner and I preferred the 'stock' (non-XR) HD24 in every application we tried (voice and bass through a UA 6176 or acoustic guitar through a Phoenix Audio DRS-1, multed through both units converters into DP, then burned directly to CD or monitored through Masterlink DA's). The HD displayed slightly better midrange resolution and seemingly tighter overall bass reproduction, with a 'wider' image overall. These tests are difficult and fraught with peril (no double blind, monitoring variances, etc.) so YMMV.

Mind you, there are much better converters out there and the 2408 is no benchmark, but it was instructive to learn that the HD seemed to offer slightly better sonics than the MOTU stuff.

The XR version is supposedly significantly better, both in terms of specs and sound, and offers pretty great value for 24 sets of AD/DA with a hard disk recorder thrown in for under 2 grand.

Check out the HD24 users group for more info at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hd24/

[De chromium cob]

Just did my first tracking session with the EC-2 upgraded converters yesterday and I have to say I was very pleased with the sound....Session was tracked at 24/44.1 and the sound had more depth and clarity then the sessions I'd done with the stock unit. They sound WAY better then the converters in the 002 rack and better then the MOTU Mk3 96K converters....Much closer to the RADAR converters...
Session had top quality front end-
Early 60's Gretsch 4 piece kit with-
AKG D112 on kick through a Quad Eight 310 Mic pre/eq
Shure 57 on snare through a Quad Eight 310 Mic pre/eq
Neumann TLM 170 on rack tom/crash ''
Sony C37a on Floor tom/ride ''

Elec. bass with DI into Neve 1272 pre with Ampeg B-15 miced with a Neumann U67 into a Electrodyne 710 Pre/eq.

Breedlove Acoustic Guitar mic'd with a U67 into a Electrodyne 710 Pre/eq and a Telefunken 221B into a Demeter Tube pre amp.

Room mic was a Old Russian Tube stereo mic prototype into a Demeter stereo tube mic pre.

Everything was tracked both to the HD24 directly and to a Sony/MCI 1" 8 track which then was sent to 8 tracks of HD24 so once lined up, either the digital or analog tracks can be used for mixdown....
Anyway, I'm very happy with the results of the upgrade and think its well worth the $750 I paid (last one they had so they were blowing it out)for the EC-2 upgrade.....

[frist44]

I was thinking about actually replacing my rme adi-8 units for the XR version. It'll give me the 24 tracks of conversion that I need. I've been told you can put it in monitor mode and just use the converters and bypass the hard drive, which is what I would do. I also read that jim williams does a worthwhile money if you would like to further upgrade. he mentioned he preferred the sound to the radar system. I've never heard either. but I think his upgrade is around $800. Might be worthwhile, if the difference is that good. Based on what everyone says, it seems like starting off on with the XR version would be a good start on its own.

Brandon

[Bobalou]

hey Brandon,

Are those the ADI-8 pro's? what are you looking to sell em for? I'm in the market for one unit, how much?

[frist44]

Bobalou,
check your pm.

[Xestenz]

If you want to upgrade your regular HD24 with the EC-2 boards, better hurry! The word from my dealer is that this upgrade is going to be discontinued by Alesis, and only available to stock on hand. This has not yet been confirmed by Alesis (why would they?), and I'm attempting further research. Just a heads up!

The HD24XR will apparently still be sold.

[ajcamlet]

I would wait till after the NAMM show. My guess is the prices will dump even further on all those units in the next week or so. Call it a hunch....

[Coldsnow]

Yea I really like the upgrades version as well. Sounded better than the outboard RME converter I sold after buying it. I still use Apogee's on some things and the Alesis on others. I like the grit that the Apogee gives me at times and other times I like the warmer Alesis converters. I've heard (from a guy who has taken them apart and makes chips for Mytek, that the converter chip in the new HD24 is the same as the ones in the RADAR stock converters, doesn't mean they sound alike, but they do use good some good stuff in them anyways.

[woods]

Anybody using the HD24 with high quality external converters?

If so could you comment on a comparison with Radar in this case?

Woods

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by woods

Anybody using the HD24 with high quality external converters?

If so could you comment on a comparison with Radar in this case?

Woods

If you are using a high quality external converter (i.e. Mytek, Lavry, Apogee, Crane Song, etc) then the digital storage device (the Alesis HD24 in this case) isn't going to produce a 'sound' of it's own at all. It's really just a computer (albiet a specialized one). The only thing that will influence the sound of the unit is the converters themselves.