RME AD-1 vs Lynx Two vs Lynx Two with Lucid GENx6-96 Clock

[eliottjames]

RME AD-1 vs Lynx Two vs Lynx Two with Lucid GENx6-96 Clock
I've been testing AD/DA converters.

First, the RME AD-1 isn't too bad but the Lynx Two was immediately more detailed and revealed details the RME couldn't, both recording and playback (44.1/ 24 down to mp3s) End of story.

The next question was would the Lucid GENx6-96 clock improve the already very good sound of the Lynx Two? In short, yes. Although the difference doesn't impact me as readily as the Lynx compared to the RME AD-1. (The RME AD-1 doesn't have a word clock input so that could not be tested.)

I listened to a new song recorded with the Lynx while clocked to the Lucid, another take of the same song without the Lucid clock (Levels were matched as closely as possible.), And then to older material that I am very familiar with (to judge if there was improvement of the DAC.)

The Lucid clock brings a subtle detail and depth to new recordings and even to playback of files originally recorded without the Lucid clock. I can hear it best with percussion and the depth of a mix, and the placement of instruments. It definitely adds clarity.

I listened to 44.1 / 24 files, 44.1 / 16 files, and mp3s. The difference could be heard in every case.

I often call upon my wife to help me with blind testing and always with what I'm mixing because her ears are much better than mine. I asked her to listen to 44.1 / 24 files of the same song, one with the Lucid clocking the playback and the other with Lynx clocking. She didn't know what might be different about the files or which was which. Repeated playback, random order. She could tell the difference and tell me where the differences were, every time. She described the files played back without the Lucid clock as being "filtered."

Hardly scientific but one man's take on it. I've owned a Mytek ADC Stereo 96 and loved it. And while I don't have one here now to directly compare, I would not say that the Lynx, even with the Lucid, is as defined as the Mytek. The sound stage is better with the Mytek and the details a tad better. But in my memory, the Lynx/Lucid combination approaches it.

For AD/DA with Mytek the investment is about $1900 for two channels. The Lynx Two (A) with the Lucid clock is about $1500, but you get 4 channels (4 in and 4 out.) Unit to unit cost comparison is $3800 to $1500.

Is the Mytek twice as good as the Lynx/Lucid? No. If money is not an issue you would buy the best available, and probably go beyond Mytek. Perhaps Lavry Gold or Prism. But for those with limited funds, the "EJ's Bang for the Buck Award" goes to Lynx/Lucid.

Equipment: Mac G4/1.25, Logic 7.1, Peak 4.02, Lynx Two A, Lucid GENx6-96, KRK ST8 monitors, Pioneer Elite VSX-26X amp, custom built and treated mix room.