Lynx Aurora 16 VT/HD

Expanding its line of Aurora 192 kHz AD/DA converters, Lynx Studio Technology has announced the Aurora 16-VT Variable Trim model. Aurora 16-VT allows users to manually set the analog input and output levels within a range of +8.5 dBu to +24 dBu. 32 miniature trim pots are mounted on the primary circuit board to allow the adjustments.

Since 2004, Aurora has established its position as one of leading high end converters for recording studios around the world. Some studios, that wanted to gain the advantage of Aurora’s pristine audio quality and versatility, also required the ability to manually set the levels for optimum performance. The Aurora 16-VT provides this capability, while preserving Aurora’s other features, specifications and signature transparent sound.

One of the Beta testers for the Aurora 16-VT was producer/engineer Fabrice Dumont, a longtime Aurora owner. According to Fab, “After receiving the trimable version of the Aurora I can tell you that I think it's a winner product. I cannot tell a sonic difference between my regular Auroras and the variable trim one. They sound identical to me. Overall, this option makes replacing my old converters truly seamless. It actually feels like a true upgrade since any mix recalled with the Auroras now gain stages the same as my old converters, but sounds noticeably better.”

Aurora 16HD and Aurora 8HD are 16 and 8 channel 24 bit /192 kHz analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converters in a single-space rack-mountable case. The Aurora 16-VTHD adds variable trim pots to all analog input and output channels, for fine adjustment of maximum output levels between +8.5 dBu to +24 dBu. The analog inputs and outputs are electronically balanced. The AES digital I/O is transformer coupled and is capable of driving 500 feet of cable at 192 kHz. Both dual and single wire AES channel modes are supported at sample rates up to 192 kHz.

The LT-HD card has one Primary and one Expansion DigiLink port, which allows daisy-chaining of multiple Aurora converters and other DigiLink devices. Aurora HD models offer audio signal latency identical to that of the Digidesign 192 I/O™ for accurate delay compensation within ProTools - no manual delay adjustments are required.

When used with the Lynx AES16 / AES16e cards Aurora converters can also be used for applications other than Pro Tools. All front panel functions and other low-level options can be controlled from the Lynx AES16/AES16e digital interface cards on Windows and Macintosh platforms. This allows the Aurora HD converters to multi-task, for use with native applications such as Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Sequoia, Samplitude and many others.

Lynx’s proprietary SynchroLock™ sample clock technology is also included, an exclusive feature that provides 3000:1 jitter attenuation for external clock signals. The SynchroLock clock generator’s output is an extremely low jitter clock source that drives the converters inside of Aurora and is available as an output for studio synchronization of other digital devices.

All analog and digital connections use DB25 connectors with industry standard pinouts which are compatible with off-the-shelf cables from manufacturers such as Lynx, Mogami, ProCo, Hosa and others.

• Aurora converters with preinstalled LT-HD, allowing recognition and control by Pro Tools|HD®
• Aurora 8HD: Simultaneous 8 channel analog I/O and 8 channel AES/EBU I/O
• Aurora 16HD: Simultaneous 16 channel analog I/O and 16 channel AES/EBU I/O
• Aurora 16-VTHD: Aurora 16HD with Variable Trim on analog inputs and outputs
• 32-Channel mode allows Aurora 16HD/VTHD models to access all 16 analog and all 16 digital channels
• 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, no fan
• Word clock I/O with Lynx SynchroLock™ sample clock technology