ART DIO AtoD CONVERTER

DIO - A/D Converter Overview

Designed to help ease the transition to the digital world, the DIO offers high resolution stereo
24-bit A/D-D/A conversion at switchable sample rates from 44.1 to 96kHz. In external sync
mode, the DIO?s intelligent synchronization allows for automatic sync with outboard equipment
at sample rates from 22kHz to 100kHz.
The DIO can be used in a wide variety of applications including recording, project, and home studios.
Let the DIO be the interface for your ?classic? analog signal processing gear in an all-digital production
environment. It?s the perfect interface for any digital workstation or computer based recording system
and gets the A/D-D/A conversion process out of the noisy digital environment.
You can use the DIO as your instrument?s direct-to-digital interface, thanks to its high input impedance.
Upgrade the A/D-D/As on your DAT machine or any older digital I/O equipment with the DIO?s high resolution
converters. Get the most out of your dynamic range on new samples and overdubs. You can even
loop thru the DIO to add ?analog? warmth and musicality to an existing digital track.
The latest refinements in ART?s award winning tube pre-amp design are integrated on the front end,
before the A/D converter, for analog gain and dynamic range control. At the clean setting, the tube
circuitry is virtually bypassed and the A/D sees a ?straight wire with gain? signal. As you increase
the control the signal goes from ultra clean and transparent, thru silky, to smooth, to warm, to fat.
At this end the tube becomes the dominant gain element, enhancing lower and mid level signals
and soft limiting peaks and overshoots before they hit the A/D.
This stereo unit provides superior audio conversion in the same compact package as ART?s famous
TubeMP, and like the TubeMP, the DIO?s performance exceeds that of units costing many times its
price. It?s unique combination of features and flexibility will make it a must-have in any audio toolkit.

DIO - A/D Converter Features:

SWITCHABLE 44.1, 48, 88.2, AND 96kHz SAMPLE RATES
INTELLIGENT SYNC COVERS A WIDE EXTERNAL RANGE
1/4? STEREO ANALOG INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
VARIABLE INPUT GAIN
HAND-SELECTED DUAL TRIODE TUBE
TOTALLY VARIABLE TUBE CHARACTER FROM TRANSPARENT TO WARM

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

Optional 8-channel D/A card with specifications matching those of the A/D section,
turning the Trak2 into a complete digital audio conversion system with two A/D
channels and up to 8 D/A.

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

• Stereo D/A Converter
• Supports up to 24-Bit/96 kHz Resolution
• Dante-Enabled Ethernet Input
• Balanced Analog XLR Outputs
• Adjustable Output Level
• 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Output
• 14-Gauge Steel Enclosure
• Sync and Power Indicators

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