Lynx Studio Technology Aurora 8 8-Channel Digital Audio Converter

Product Description

The Aurora line of digital audio converters from Lynx Studio Technology offers unprecedented audio quality and control in single-rack space eight and sixteen channel models. The Aurora 8 features 192 kHz analog to digital and digital to analog conversion with front panel control of all routing and sample rate options. Extended functions in Aurora are accessible via computer with the Lynx AES16 or by infrared using compatible laptops and handheld Pocket PCs. The rear panel has clock and MIDI in and out connectors and an LSlot bay, for the optional use of ADAT, Firewire and other audio interfaces.

Features
Aurora 8: simultaneous 8 channel analog I/O and 8 channel AES/EBU I/O

24 Bit / 192 kHz mastering quality A/D and D/A conversion

192 kHz AES/EBU I/O supporting single and dual wire modes

Single rack space configuration

Extensive remote control capability via Lynx AES16, IrDA and MIDI

Lslot expansion slot for Firewire, ADAT, and future interface options

On-board digital mixer provides flexible I/O routing

Word clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock jitter reduction technology

Aurora 8 is a 8-channel 24-bit/192 kHz analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter in a single-space rack-mount case. Representing Lynx Studio Technology's first rack-mount product, Aurora was developed using the next generation of Lynx acclaimed conversion technology and rock-solid digital interface circuitry.

Aurora provides professional I/O interfacing for ease of installation in most studios and live sound applications. The analog I/O is electronically balanced and supports both +4dBU and 10dBV nominal levels. The AES digital I/O is transformer coupled and is capable of driving 500 feet of cable at 192kHz. Both dual and single-wire AES channel modes are supported.

Aurora's ergonomically designed front panel provides easy access to important controls and signal status. Unique to this product class, Aurora also offers extensive remote control capability. All front panel features as well as other low-level options can be controlled from the Lynx AES16 digital interface card on Windows and Macintosh platforms; a Pocket PC or laptop via infrared; MIDI; or an LSlot interface card. Multiple remote set-up configurations can be stored and recalled.

The on-board 32-channel digital mixer provides extensive routing and mixing options. Acting as a powerful patch bay-style digital router, Aurora can easily route signals between analog and digital inputs on a channel-by-channel basis. Mixing capability on each output also provides flexible zero-latency monitoring.

The LSlot expansion port accepts cards that provide compatibility with current and emerging digital interface standards, including Firewire, ADAT, and others. In addition to soon-to-be released LSlot cards, the LSlot port is compatible with existing Lynx LStream cards including the LS-ADAT and LS-AES.

Lynx's proprietary SynchroLock jitter reduction technology, from the AES16, is also included. This exclusive feature provides extreme jitter reduction of up to 3000:1, allowing Aurora to output an extremely clean clock output for driving the digital audio system.

All analog and digital connections use DB25 connectors with industry standard pin-outs which are compatible with off-the-shelf cables from manufacturers such as Mogami, ProCo, Hosa and others. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Lynx Studio Technology products.

Analog I/O
Aurora 8: eight inputs and eight outputs

Type: electronically balanced or unbalanced

Level: +4 dBu nominal / +20 dBu max. or -10 dBV nominal / +6 dBV max

Input impedance:

-- Balanced mode: 24 ohms

-- Unbalanced mode: 12 ohms

Output impedance:

-- Balanced mode: 100 ohms

-- Unbalanced mode: 50 ohms

Output drive: 600 ohms impedance, 0.2 uF capacitance

A/D and D/A type: 24-bit multi-level, delta-sigma

Analog-in Performance
Frequency response: 20 Hz -- 20 kHz, +0/-0.1 dB

Dynamic range: 117 dB, A-weighted

Channel crosstalk: -120 dB maximum, 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS

THD+N:

-- -108 dB (0.0004%) @ -1 DBFS

-- -104 dB (0.0006%) @ -6 DBFS

-- 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW

Analog-out Performance
Frequency response: 20 Hz -- 20 kHz, +0/-0.1 dB

Dynamic range: 117 dB, A-weighted

Channel crosstalk: -120 dB max., 1 kHz signal, -1 dBFS

THD+N:

-- -107 dB (0.00045%) @ -1 DBFS

-- -106 dB (0.00050%) @ -6 DBFS

-- 1 kHz signal, 22 Hz - 22 kHz BW

Digital I/O
Number/type:

-- Aurora 8 - 8 inputs and 8 outputs

-- 24 bit AES/EBU format, transformer coupled

Channels:

-- 16 in/out in single-wire mode

-- 8 in/out in dual-wire mode

Sample Rates: All standard rates and variable rates up to 192 kHz in both single-wire and dual-wire modes

LSlot Expansion Port
Compatibility: supports Lynx LSlot and LStream expansion cards

Channels: up to 16 input and 16 output simultaneously @192 kHz sample rate

On-board Digital Mixer (via AES16)
Type: hardware-based, low latency

Routing: ability to route any input to any or multiple outputs

Mixing: up to four input or playback signals mixed to any output, 40-bit precision

Status: peak levels to -114 dB on all inputs and outputs

Connections
Digital I/O ports:

-- Two 25-pin female D-sub connectors

-- Port A: channels 1-8 I/O

-- Yamaha pinout

Analog I/O ports:

-- Four 25-pin female D-sub connectors.

-- Analog in 1-8; Analog out 1-8

-- Tascam pinout standard

External clock: 75-ohm BNC word clock input and output

MIDI: one input and one output. Standard opto-isolated, 5-pin female DIN connectors

Remote Control Options
Function: controls all I/O, levels, monitoring, routing and setting recall

Method:

-- AES16: with PC or Macintosh

-- IrDA: For compatible Pocket PCs and laptops.

-- MIDI: Selected MIDI devices

General
AC power: 110 / 115 / 230 VAC, 70 watts

Size: 1.75 in. H x 19 in. W x 9 in. D

Shipping weight: 10 pounds

Certifications: CE and FCC class B EMI, CE product safety

Optional interface cards for Lslot:

-- LS-ADAT: Provides 16-channel at 48 kHz, 8-channel at 96 kHz, 4-channel at 192 kHz ADAT Optical I/O

-- LS-AES: Provides 8-channel at 96 kHz or 4-channel at 192 kHz AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital I/O

-- LT-FW800: LSlot card. 16-channel Firewire I/O connection