LYNX AURORA FW vs SSL MaDI Sx ...

[malice]

Ok, I need practical experience on these ones ...

So far I had a MOTU 192 and a 2408 MKIII (that I used mainly for extra digital connectivity, believe me or not), clocked by a set of Lavry Blue.

I need more than 14 usable tracks for a project I'm doing on location. I cannot use the 2408 MkIII converters because it's against my personal religion.

I thought for a moment to get another 192, but at some point, I said to myself : wtf, I'm old, I can offer myself some nicer converters.

I thought about RADAR, because I really dig the sound, but frankly, I cannot justify the expense for guerilla recordings, and I can have access to that kinda gear when I work in studio, so ...

I picked an RME Madi interface for my G5 (2X2.7GHz) in case I chose the SSL. I bought it cheap so I can resell it if I go the Lynx path.

Btw, I need some AES/EBU for my avocet, reverbs, Lavry etc ...

The Lynx Aurora 16:

Pros : I like the converters when clocked to the Lavry, The FWire interface is nice if I use my laptop for some reasons, it's a little less expensive and upgradable with a PCIe interface when I'll change my desktop. It leaves another PCI slot for a UAD card.

Cons: 18 ins is the absolute limit, I might have to find a couple converters to rent, the FW might tax power to the system, I never tested the setup with a G5


The SSL Madi SX (with RME HD Madi card) :

Pros: I like the converters as well, I worked with Soundscape (Sydec Belgium). They are rather "neutral", maybe a little less exciting. I'm not in love with SSL though, but well ...
I'm not sure at what point the converters are similar as I know the SSL guys somehow 'improved" the Soundscape's blue prints.
They have 8 more ADDA in the box.
The RME card won't tax power on the computer, even with 64 channels kiking, plus I have proper metering apparently

Cons: I don't know much about these, and the moment I'll change for a new Mac (or PC), I will need another card. Furthermore, there is a daughter board tied to the card that takes a PCI slot, unless you fix a dodgy connector out of the Mac and let it hang like that outside : not sure I'm all for that.
Slightly more expensive as well.


Do I miss anything important ?

Anyone has experience with theses ?

tx

malice

[ATTICus Finch]

Dr.Bob will fill yahh in soon I'm sure. Shoot him a PM.

[Swafford]

Do I miss anything important ?
tx

malice

Well, as the local Metric Halo Fanboy, have you given a pair of 2882's a thought?

[otek]

I like the converters as well, I worked with Soundscape (Sydec Belgium). They are rather "neutral", maybe a little less exciting.

It's been a couple of years, but I do recall the Soundscape converters sounded loads better than the Pro Tools ones at the time.....

I got a quick demo of the SSL converters the other day and I have to say I'm pretty impressed, given the price point. Granted, I didn't do any serious type of testing and certainly no A/B, but at first glance......


otek

[ffaudio]

I have an SSL Alpha Link and it is very nice and natural. Not hyped anywhere and as you said, not very exciting. I don't track at my place anymore so I'm selling it off when I eventually find a UA2192 for the right price.

If you need 24 tracks then go for it. You can definitely make good sounding recordings with it. I'm sure the same could be said for the Lynx. I don't think either will be a limitation (other than the track counts).

[RWC]

I asked someone at mercenary about this since I was considering both units, for when my boss moves to a new location, and they said the lynx was far superior.

I gotta hear these both someday before I believe it though, because the SSL is an amazing deal..

[ffaudio]

I asked someone at mercenary about this since I was considering both units, for when my boss moves to a new location, and they said the lynx was far superior.

I gotta hear these both someday before I believe it though, because the SSL is an amazing deal..

Does Mercenary sell the Alpha Link? Because I see SSL on their page, but not that product...

[RWC]

Does Mercenary sell the Alpha Link? Because I see SSL on their page, but not that product...

no, they cited its performance as the reason they don't stock it.

[malice]

no, they cited its performance as the reason they don't stock it.

well, I tried the soundscape (sydec) version of the SSL's, and, while certainly more "neutral" than the the Aurora's, I wouldn't call them any lesser converters than the Lynx's.

Anyway, I decided to give them a try as I like the flexibility (24 i/o and 12 AES/EBU channels)

malice

[Holm]

no, they cited its performance as the reason they don't stock it.

Probably it's the price/performance ratio that makes them less worthwhile for shipping them over to the States. They have an American made Lynx product that is apparently comparable in quality already in stock. They'd have to add shipping costs and probably taxes to the UK price and that would make the SSL instantly not as cheap an option. Not so with the Lynx.

For instance ADAM monitors are also quite expensive at Mercenary compared to the euro prices.

The opposite is true as well, anything made out of the EU gets instantly slapped on 20% sales tax when it comes here and that gets added to the combined cost of the goods themselves and the lump sum of transportation costs.

[otek]

The import costs are definitely noticeable. Here in Sweden, the MSRP for the Aurora 16 is only marginally lower than that of the SSL.

When taking into account the added features and I/O of the SSL, the Aurora has to offer pretty obvious sonic advantages to be a contender.

Since I haven't A/B:ed the boxes, I can't say if this is the case.


otek

[RWC]

I am wondering if anyone has A/B'd the boxes against each other, or against any other converter since?

The cool thing about the SSL for me is the MADI. To my knowledge there is no reputable company making an AES expresscard interface, but RME's HDSPe MADI card looks promising. I'd much prefer a macbook for the new recording platform so I have a computer no one but me fucks with(multiple rock band musicians in their 20s using studio comp for own work = annoying unwanted surprises (http://thewombforums.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=8199)), also so I don't have to worry about "logic at work, reaper at home 'cause home is a PC"

[Sam Lord]

OK, sorry I haven't heard either, so why post??

Well I'm looking at converters that have *don''t* use DSubs cause I use them on location. Got a fine 8ch Mytek, selling because its analog I/O is Dsub-only, too many headaches anymore for location. Sooo...

Probably will get an Orpheus, but this RME
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_adi_8_qs.php
the ADI8 QS intrigues me. The QS has completely different circuitry than any others in RME lineup, price is good, and MADI optional along with daisy-chaining. And it has BOTH TRS and Dsub I/O, and even AES I/O are XLRs. Somebody I do trust has heard them, says they're another world from any previous RME. Just a thought. BTW Sweetwater sells both SSL and RME.

[TubaSolo]

Well, as the local Metric Halo Fanboy, have you given a pair of 2882's a thought?

+1

Those have really good converters. Seriously.

[Weasel9992]

I am wondering if anyone has A/B'd the boxes against each other, or against any other converter since?


I have. I bought the SSL not because it sounded any better (it didn't, really...just different), but because I needed the other 8 channels and it was a deal I couldn't pass up. The Aurora sounds fantastic, no doubt. Either one is record worthy.

I usually fall right in line with the guys at Mercenary, but I totally disagree with them on this one. I think the XLogic sounds fantastic, especially considering the price.

Frank

[synthetic]

Is anyone using an Alphalogic with a summing mixer? That seems like a killer combo.