LYNX HILO Reference Converter A/D

Lynx Studio Technology is proud to present the Hilo Reference A/D D/A Converter System. With the pristine, open, transparent audio quality for which Lynx is known, Hilo (pronounced HE-low) provides two channels of mastering quality analog to digital conversion, up to six channels of digital to analog conversion, a secondary monitor output, and a world class independent headphone amplifier in a compact half-rack size. A first for the two-channel pro converter market, Hiloʼs innovative 480 x 272 touch-screen provides a flexible and intuitive interface that can adapt to a particular application and be easily upgraded with enhancements and new features. Front panel controls support extensive signal routing and mixing, sample rate selection, clock source options, levels, metering and diagnostic features.

Hilo completely redefines and evolves the category of the two channel converter. Of utmost importance is the audio signal quality. The completely new design of the analog stages and converter topology for Hilo break new ground in terms of lowering distortion and noise while maintaining transparency for A/D and D/A conversion. Beyond that, Hilo offers extensive I/O capabilities and utilizes the latest FPGA technology with vast resources for control, routing, and signal processing capabilities. Also in development are diagnostic and analysis tools for Hilo. The LCD screen is a natural interface for these functions.

The digital or analog inputs can be routed to three separate analog outputs, Line Output (with 8 trim settings), Monitor Output, and Headphone Output. Each of these output pairs has its own dedicated DACs, allowing each to offer a unique mix. The Monitor and Headphone Outputs have volume controls, accessible via faders on the touch-screen or the single knob on the front (offering control in ½ dB increments). Another innovation, the Headphone section has its own dedicated D/A converter. This supports the creation of 32-channel headphone mixes independent of the main and monitor outputs, as well as providing specifications that rival those of dedicated headphone amps costing $1500 and more.

The digital section offers a wide range of inputs. AES/EBU inputs and outputs have transformer isolated balanced XLR connectors. S/PDIF input and output are available via transformer-coupled coax or optical (TOSLINK) connections. The Optical ports can also be used for up to eight ADAT channels. The ADAT input and output channels are completely independent from the AES/EBU or S/PDIF coax channels. The Lynx LT-USB (USB 2.0) or LT-TB (Thunderbolt) LSlot accessory is also included, for computer connectivity. The LT-HD for Pro Tools HD connectivity is also enabled. Lynxʼs low jitter SynchroLock word clock is included, with Word Clock in and out connections available.

In total, Hilo has 12 total inputs, 16 total outputs plus 32 channels possible via its LSlot port. The unitʼs FPGA powers its internal 32-channel mixer, which allows Hilo to offer the most versatile I/O and routing in the two channel converter genre.

In contrast to the concentrated and intricate back panel, Hiloʼs front panel is elegant in its simplicity. It has a power switch, headphone jack, multipurpose control and a 480 x 272 pixel high resolution LCD touchscreen. This high-resolution screen does a lot more than simply replace the buttons on the front panel of most other converters. Of course it handles the basic settings and routing functions, clocking and level settings.

A second meter screen shows just two larger bar-graph style stereo bar meters. Any input or output set can be assigned to each meter. In addition to bar-graph meters common on most converters, Hiloʼs touchscreen is able to show more traditional metering types, such as old style VU meters. Firmware version 7 added a powerful metering addition, a stereo third octave real time analyzer. As with all other Lynx products, Hilo is FPGA based, meaning new features, capabilities and graphics can be added at any time with a simple download.

Crucial for mastering and critical listening, Hilo offers world class, verifiable specifications. Every unit Lynx ships will meet or exceed these published specs:

LINE IN A/D PERFORMANCE

THD+N -114dB @1kHz, -1dBFS, 20kHz filter

Dynamic Range 121 dB, A-weighted, -60dBFS signal method

Frequency Resp. ± 0.01 dB, 20 – 20kHz

Crosstalk -140 dB maximum @ 1kHz, -1dBFS signal

LINE OUT D/A PERFORMANCE

THD+N -109dB @1kHz, -1dBFS, 20kHz filter

Dynamic Range 121 dB, A- weighted, -60dBFS signal method

Frequency Resp. ± 0.02 dB, 20 – 20kHz

Crosstalk -135 dB maximum @ 1kHz, -1dBFS signal

Hilo can be powered by standard 110-230V AC power or remotely with 9-18 volts DC, allowing the use of standard video battery packs or even auto cigarette lighter connections. Hilo measures 8.50 x 3.25 x 10.00 inches, weighs 6.75 pounds and is available with a silver or black front panel/knob option. Now available in Silver and Black, the US suggested retail price is $2495 with the LT-USB and $2795 with the LT-TB.

It is impossible to compare Hilo to other two channel AD and DA converters. In fact it is a unique product that is, at first, a little difficult to get your head around. Basically, Hilo replaces three different, critical components:

#1 Hilo is an analog to digital converter

#2 It is also a digital to analog converter. With most companies, these are two separate units.

#3 It is an independent headphone amplifier. The headphone section has its own, dedicated D/A converter. This provides two key benefits. First this allows Hilo to offer a headphone output with exceptional clarity and noise specifications. Second, due to Hiloʼs internal 32 channel mixer, any input set can be routed to the headphone stereo output. This means that a mix that is entirely different from the analog outputs and monitors can be applied to the headphones.



    Hilo is a 4 in one unit – A/D converter, D/A converter, Monitor Controller with a dedicated D/A converter and a Headphone amplifier with a dedicated D/A converter.
    There are three unique sets of analog outputs: main analog output, monitor output (with analog volume) and headphone output (with analog volume)
    The flexible digital I/O section offers the choice of AES/EBU, SPDIF by coax or TOSLINK optical, or ADAT formats
    The innovative design of the analog stage and converter topology allow ultra low noise and distortion specifications
    A 480 x 272 pixel LCD touch screen for operation and monitoring
    A 32 channel internal mixer in the updatable FPGA
    12 total inputs, 16 total outputs plus 32 channels possible via LSlot.
    AC powered with Battery operation available
    Open ended software for future measurement, metering, diagnostic and personalization features using the touch screen LCD.
    Size - 8.50” wide x 3.25” tall x 10.00” deep (half rack, two spaces)
    Weight: 6.75 pounds

The KORE 64™ ROM option represents a complete expansion and reimagining of the PC3 and PC3K's sonic potential (not for the PC3LE). Pushing the limits of V.A.S.T. synthesis for both realistic and experimental electronic sounds, KORE 64™ adds over 300 new programs, including stunning new Synths, Electric Guitars, Horns, Drums and Percussion. With KORE 64™ installed, the PC3/K built-in program library now totals over 1400 presets!

    New Setups:

        50 new setups featuring the KORE 64™ sounds.
        Over 200 new drum grooves in multiple styles.
        New Dance and Hip Hop setups for triggering and controlling beats in real time.

    New Synths:

        New samples modeled after the Oberheim SEM, ARP Chroma, TX802, CZ1, and dozens of legacy waveforms from the K series.
        Over 100 new synth programs.
        Sounds for popular electronic music styles like House, Trance, Dubstep, Drum&Bass, Glitch, Electro Hip Hop, and more.
        More real time controls, beat-synced modulations and envelope control transform sounds without hitting the edit button.
        Atmospheric and cycling pads voiced for performing, producing, and scoring.

    New Guitars:

        New samples modeled after the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster.
        Palm muted and sustained articulations playable in a picked or legato style.
        Instant-shredder arpeggiator patterns, whammy bar effects, and realistic feedback emulations.
        Preset sounds from Rock, Country, Rock-a-Billy, Metal, Funk, and more.

    New Brass/Woodwinds:

        New alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, and trombone samples.
        New programs include solo instruments and custom sections with many combinations of the different instruments.
        Articulate with pressure on several new programs.
        Sections cover styles from Big Band, Soul, Funk, Latin, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock and more.

    New Drums

        Drums from Yamaha, Ludwig, Pearl, DW, Rogers, and Gretsch recorded as full kits.
        Full cymbal arrays recorded with Zildjian, Paiste, and Sabian cymbals.
        72 new Drum Kits and 62 percussion instruments and templates.
        10 times the samples and 30 times the data of the existing PC3/PC3K Drums.
        All drum kits have mixer functioning on the sliders to change the level the kick, snare, toms, hats, and percussion independently.
        Unsurpassed realism and playability for sampled drums.
        Full complement of Electronic and Processed Drum samples.
        Scratches, hits and Industrial Sounds.
        Wide variety of traditional and processed Percussion sounds.

Download the full preset Objects List under the Downloads section

User Installable.

Requires:  PC3K OS v2.20 or better
                  PC3 OS v2.20 or better

All specifications subject to change without notice.

The Rosetta 200, Apogees successor to the PSX-100 and Rosetta AD namesake,
delivers the quality of the popular Rosetta 800, in a 2-channel AD/DA solution. Like
the Rosetta 800, the 200 features premium Apogee A/D and D/A conversion, 192k
sampling rates (standard), optional Pro Tools HD, Mix and FireWire expansion cards
and core Apogee technologies such as UV22HR, and SoftLimit. And while the
Rosetta 200 shares much of its feature set with its cousin, it throws in some irresistible
extras such as the new, CODA, Audio Finishing Module, full channel metering, and
MIDI and S/PDIF input and output. Flexibility and features galore make the Rosetta 200
an outstanding option for professional and project studios, mastering engineers, and
audio archivists.

Features:
Channels of premium 24-bit AD/DA conversion
Sample rates up to 192kHz with Apogee's "Intelliclock"
2 channels of AES, S/PDIF (coax & optical), and ADAT/SMUX I/O MIDI I/O
Optional FireWire expansion card for compatibility with OS X, and
Windows XP (X-FireWire card)
Optional expansion card for direct connection to Pro Tools HD & Mix systems
(X-HD card, X-Digi-Mix card)
“Soft Limit" for maximum digital level without overs
CODA: The Aptomizer Level Normalizer, Sample Rate Conversion (SRC), and
Apogees UV22HR for superior dither to 16-bit
Full channel metering

The Tascam LA-40 MKIII has been primarily designed to provide matching capabilities between professional equipment and semi-professional or consumer equipment. It consists of four RCA inputs and outputs (–10 dBV, unbalanced) as well as four XLR inputs and outputs (+4 dBu/–20 dBu, balanced) which enable the user to connect for instance four tracks of a multitrack recorder (ins and outs) to a balanced mixer ensuring optimum level and impedance matching. Also, a switch matrix allows channels to be linked, utilizing the converter as a distribution amplifier for splitting signals to multiple recorders, or for multizone sound routing applications.

Switches on the bottom panel allow to select a nominal level of +4 dBu or –20 dBu for each channel and ±12 dB trim pots on the front panel make perfect level matching easy. LEDs on the front panel indicate signal presence for each channel. The LA-40 MKIII has also ground lift switches for each channel and a combined master switch to avoid ground loops.
Main Features

    * 4 channels with unbalanced RCA inputs and balanced XLR outputs
    * 4 channels with balanced XLR inputs and unbalanced RCA outputs
    * XLR nominal level selectable between +4 dBu and –20 dBu
    * Trim pots for each channel on front panel (±12 dB)
    * Signal LED for each channel

    * Ground lift switches for each channel and master switch
    * Distribution amplifier functionality: One mono input signal can be routed to all four output channels, or one stereo input signal can be routed to two channels each (RCA to XLR and XLR to RCA)
    * Internal power supply, no AC adapter needed
    * 1 U rack-mountable chassis

Specifications
Inputs and outputs (unbalanced to balanced)
Inputs         4 RCA jacks (unbalanced)
  Input impedance         23 kOhm (when all INPUT LINK switches are OFF)
5.7 kOhm (when all INPUT LINK switches are ON)
  Nominal input level         –10 dBV, ±1 dB
  Maximum input level         +4.8 dBV
  Indicator detection level         –36 dBV or more (OUTPUT LEVEL switch set to +4 dB or –20 dB)
Outputs         4 XLR-type connectors (balanced, Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = hot, Pin 3 = cold)
  Output impedance         94 Ohm
  Nominal load impedance         10 kOhm
  Minimum load impedance         600 Ohm
  Nominal output level         +4 dBu, ±1 dB (OUTPUT LEVEL switch set to +4 dB)
–20 dBu, ±1 dB (OUTPUT LEVEL switch set to –20 dB)
  Maximum output level         +23 dBu
Inputs and Outputs (balanced to unbalanced)
Inputs         4 XLR-type connectors (balanced, Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = hot, Pin 3 = cold)
  Input impedance         54 kOhm (when all INPUT LINK switches are OFF)
13.5 kOhm (when all INPUT LINK switches are ON)
  Nominal input level         +4 dBu, ±1 dB (INPUT LEVEL switch set to +4 dB)
–20 dBu, ±1 dB (INPUT LEVEL switch set to –20 dB)
  Maximum input level         +30 dBu (INPUT LEVEL switch set to +4 dB)
+8 dBu (INPUT LEVEL switch set to –20 dB)
  Indicator detection level         –22 dBV or more (INPUT LEVEL switch set to +4 dB)
–46 dBV or more (INPUT LEVEL switch set to –20 dB)
Outputs         4 RCA jacks (unbalanced)
  Output impedance         200 Ohm
  Nominal load impedance         10 kOhm
  Minimum load impedance         1 kOhm
  Nominal output level         –10 dBV, ±1 dB
  Maximum output level         +18 dBV
Audio performance
TRIM range         ±12 dB
S/N ratio (at nominal levels)         90 dB(A) (20 kHz LPF)
87 dB(A) (20 Hz HPF and 20 kHz LPF)
Total harmonic distortion
(1 kHz, at nominal levels)         0.005 % or less
Frequency response (at nominal levels)         20 Hz – 100 kHz, ±3 dB
Crosstalk
(1 kHz, nominal levels, 600 Ohm load)         –90 dB
Other specifications
Power requirements         100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption         6 W
Dimensions (W x H x D)         483 mm x 44 mm x 280 mm
Weight         3 kg

Input MADI: 1 x BNC, 1 x optical
Output MADI: 1 x BNC, 1 x optical
Input ADAT optical: 8 x TOSLINK, 24-Bit, Bitclock PLL
Output ADAT optical: 8 x TOSLINK, 24-Bit
Input word clock: BNC, Signal Adaptation Circuit (functional from 1.2 Vpp input signal), switchable termination
Output word clock: BNC, low-impedance driver stage, 4 Vpp into 75 Ohms, short-circuit-proof
MIDI input and output: via two 5-pin DIN jacks
Sync sources: MADI, ADAT optical, word clock, internal
Varipitch: by input signal or word clock
Sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, variable (Sync/word clock)
Sample rate range: MADI: 32 kHz - 96 kHz, word clock: 27 kHz-105 kHz, ADAT: 33 kHz - 57 kHz
Jitter: Internal clock Jitter suppression on external clock: circa 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
Jitter sensitivity: all PLLs operate even at 100 ns Jitter without problems
Power supply: internal switching mode ps, 100 V-240 V AC, 50-60 Hz, 10 Watts
Dimensions: 483 x 44 x 200 mm