CreamWare A16 AD/DA Converter

[ryanojohn]

Any thoughts comments? Only thread I found in a search talked about the XLR version... what would you say it's comparable to?

[Chipster]

This is something I'm curious about as well. I've heard a lot of good things about the Creamware A16 Ultra, but I've been looking at the Lynx Aurora 16. Of course I know there's a big price difference, but I still wondering about the sound difference. I can't see the Creamware being on the same playing field as the Lynx when the A16 is $849us and the Lynx is $3000us I had orignally looked at the MOTU HD192, but someone had mention that I need to take a look at the creamware, but I don't know.

[wowi]

Compared to the Price (Here in Germany you can get one for at least 400-500$) its OK, but no Bang for the Buck.
I use one for 1 year now, and i am gone change it to RME adi8 (one is already in use). The sound compared to RME is a lot more shallow, special in the high Area. The cooler of the A16 is real crap and makes a lot of noise. I tried to change it, but i diddn't found a matching one.

So if you really need 16 Channels of AD/DA simultanleously, and you are not able to change in the next Price-Level, its a good choice.

But: For at least 600/700 $ you can get a used RME or compareble.

This would be the better choice.

wowi

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by wowi

The sound compared to RME is a lot more shallow, special in the high Area.
wowi

It's all in the clocking - I use the Black Lion Audio Micro Clock to clock the A16, RME Octomic and (I hate to say it) a Behringer ADA8000 with excellent results.
In fact I did some A-B tests with my Mastering guys ears and he preferred (wait for it) the sound of the behringer converters clocked with the Black Lion Audio as A-D than the RME (6 times the price) clocked with it's own RME clock. Wow - you could have knocked me over with a feather.
That proved to me how important Clocking is - Buy the A16 but also buy the http://www.blacklionaudio.com/microclock.html - you won't look back.

[Chipster]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

It's all in the clocking -
That proved to me how important Clocking is - Buy the A16 but also buy the http://www.blacklionaudio.com/microclock.html - you won't look back.

I've heard some great things about the A16. Warren, over at Front End Audio, turned me on to them. I've not heard one yet, but it is so tempting to pick one up. Email Black Lion to see if I could get it moded. They said they've done one, but they're not taking on new ones at this time. In fact, they're not taking on any new work till the middle of March, or at least that's what I understood. The email said they are still moding all models listed on their website.

I've thought about maybe getting a MOTU 24IO and having it moded by them and pick up a Audio Micro Clock while I was at it. I have heard great things about their new clock, and also about the 24IO they've moded.

[Fluxpod]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

It's all in the clocking - I use the Black Lion Audio Micro Clock to clock the A16, RME Octomic and (I hate to say it) a Behringer ADA8000 with excellent results.
In fact I did some A-B tests with my Mastering guys ears and he preferred (wait for it) the sound of the behringer converters clocked with the Black Lion Audio as A-D than the RME (6 times the price) clocked with it's own RME clock. Wow - you could have knocked me over with a feather.
That proved to me how important Clocking is - Buy the A16 but also buy the http://www.blacklionaudio.com/microclock.html - you won't look back.

Its a very nice unit for the Price.Not too sure about this clocking madness tho.

[Stevil]

i understand there were problems with the original a16 that were corrected in the a16ultra. overheating, loud fan, ect.

CW gear gets alot of flack around here for some reason, i think it has to do with the prevailing, "bypass the 'midgrade' & save yer money for fewer 'top of the line' pieces" mentality.
CW also has some trustworthy supporters as well. i'm looking to pick up an a16 ultra in the near future as an upgrade from ada8000's.
for more favourably biased opinions check Planet Z :: Index

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by Fluxpod

Its a very nice unit for the Price.Not too sure about this clocking madness tho.

Seriously dude - no joke my mastering guy def. heard a big difference - in reverb tails getting grainy etc. & imaging.
A good clock is critical - if you are going to go digital and not tape machine.

[F5D]

Creamware is called Sonic Core these days. The Sonic Core A16 Ultra has a better paintjob imo. Welcome to SONIC CORE

Anyway, could somebody open the A16 Ultra (creamware or sonic core) and check what the converters are? Are they AKM? I just ordered a motu 828 mk3 and I am planning to add an A16 Ultra and BLA Micro clock.

[warhead]

I've got tons of use out of the "Ultra" version, the talk about fan versions etc are the old units by the way and they were upgraded. Incredible box for the money. Is there better out there?

Not in that price range for 16 I/O...!

It even has simple metering on board which is helpful.

I was using mine ADAT to an RME Digiface.

War

[Purusha]

:-)

[Purusha]

I am selling my Creamware system HERE

I can say only good things about these converters. I made some really kick ass albums with them.
I would not even sell them, but I got loads of money lately, so I went with Lavry AD10 + Apogee DA16X.
BTW, Z-LINK is the best clocking option from Creamware (Sonic Core) and it would be fun
to compare it with clocking to some other external clock.

[ledabfidah]

Originally Posted by F5D

Creamware is called Sonic Core these days. The Sonic Core A16 Ultra has a better paintjob imo. Welcome to SONIC CORE

Anyway, could somebody open the A16 Ultra (creamware or sonic core) and check what the converters are? Are they AKM? I just ordered a motu 828 mk3 and I am planning to add an A16 Ultra and BLA Micro clock.

I send an mail to soni-core and ask of the are bring any improvements to te a-16 and ask also the brand and model of the build in converters in uhe a-16 ultra.

Hello,

our A16 doesn't contain a fan. And the A16 ultra contains the grat AKM converters AK 4524VF
245A0803N .
Moreover there is a XLR version available.

cheers
ralf bach
Sonic Core GmbH

[F5D]

It seems that it is not the best akm converter they use. The specs for the a16 ultra seem to be taken directly from the converter data sheet.