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Hi,
I have been doing a search for "high-end " converters.

I came across the Mytek Stereo 96 AD DA series. Anyone else using them?

I have already given up from the Apogee Rosetta 200, Aurora 8 and the 192 I/O.

Also, do you guys use mixed brands for the a/d d/a? For example, use a more expensive a/d like Lavry Black and a simpler D/a from Apogee, Mytek?

Comments

bent Sun, 07/06/2008 - 18:58

At RC we have an Apogee AD8000 for tracks 1-8 and three Digi 888/24's for the remainder.

Old, yes - but I really do dig the Apogee.

I haven't used Mytek gear, but the specs look good, and I'm pretty sure it has received good reviews here...

Cucco probably has some good info he could share on this topic.

anonymous Mon, 07/07/2008 - 03:56

Depends on budget. The Mytek sound a bit more transparent (IMO) than my Apogee, in turn the Lavry Gold sounds more transparent than the Mytek, again IMO.

I don't do mastering but, comparing the Mytek with my Apogee PSX-100 SE in my studio I have heard the following:

I recorded the same 5 minutes of music playing on of my hand-made classical guitar, various acoustic instruments, some synths and vocals. The Mytek A/D conversion was 'cleaner' overall but, arguably a bit anemic for certain sounds. With the classical guitar track, bass notes were a bit clearer, each note in a chord a bit more distinguishable, perhaps with a nicer space between notes. Same was true for some other acoustic instruments such as shakers, hats, etc...

Electric bass sounded better on the Apogee as did drums in general, electric guitar (clean and distorted) synths and vocals. The mids in general were 'nicer' IMO on the Apogee. But, that would depend on the style of music too, personal taste, particular instrument, etc...

In other words, as far as production work goes, each converter may have a certain sound that is more appropriate or preferred for a particular track. I use all three (Apogee, Mytek and Lavry). If I were forced to use one it would be the Lavry Gold.

In Mastering you have different requirements altogether.

So, for the money, the Mytek may well be the best sounding A/D/A converter for your purpose.

Also, do you want to upsample? If so, do you do it in software or in real time, through a converter? Mytek has an upsampling unit too but, I have never auditioned that one.

TrilliumSound Sat, 08/23/2008 - 08:14

Alécio Costa - Brazil wrote:

Also, do you guys use mixed brands for the a/d d/a?

Hi Alécio,

I also like different converters and yes I like to mix different ones. I like the Rosetta A/D for Rock / Metal etc... I frequently switch the A/D's from the Rosetta and the Lavry Black (more neutral) and I always keep a Benchmark DAC-1 for monitoring, I am used to it, like it a lot and translate very good in my setup.

Richard

Massive Mastering Thu, 11/13/2008 - 02:29

Not AC, but I'll throw in - Had both - Dropped the Apogee quickly after auditioning the HEDD. Just better across the board - and not as subtle as I thought - 100% blind A/B.

From what I hear (no pun intended) the Rosetta turns into a different unit when clocked from the Big Ben... But the HEDD already has a great clock. Plus those wonderful Pentode and Tape functions...

anonymous Thu, 11/13/2008 - 19:42

Thanks Massive, as usual very knowledgeable - but let me re-phrase my question to you: what sort of direct state of being in proportion to the phase shift to frequency over the frequency range in comparison to the Apogee do you hear?

From what I hear (no pun intended)

No pun intended to the Apogee Electronics Corp or to a nb comp? :D

Best regards,

anonymous Fri, 11/14/2008 - 12:08

Now now guys. We all know you are making things up. There is no difference in ADCs. It's all in your minds.

It's silly making things up, then talking about it. Don't express yourself, don't share your thoughts or impressions because a scientist may come along, blindfold you and trick you into not knowing your arse from your elbow.

{old-link-removed}

/sarcasm

Massive Mastering Fri, 11/14/2008 - 14:57

music_guy wrote: Thanks Massive, I know now that the Apogees have come to pass {RIP}.

Depends on the application. I still love Apogee AD's for tracking. For mastering purposes, I want more "purity" (for lack of a better term). Plus with the HEDD, you have a lot of freedom to add color (a LOT if you want) or keep the path as pure as possible. Plus, a great clock.

anonymous Mon, 11/17/2008 - 01:28

Massive Mastering wrote: [quote=music_guy]Thanks Massive, I know now that the Apogees have come to pass {RIP}.

Depends on the application. I still love Apogee AD's for tracking. For mastering purposes, I want more "purity" (for lack of a better term). Plus with the HEDD, you have a lot of freedom to add color (a LOT if you want) or keep the path as pure as possible. Plus, a great clock.

Yes, but I 've been hearing too many times how great the HEDD sounds. I am going to need a new converter that I can use for both tracking and mastering - I assume that the Spider 8 will do it all. Correct me if I am wrong.

Regards,

Massive Mastering Mon, 11/17/2008 - 05:22

Dave actually talked me out of using the Spider and into the HEDD. There's just too much in the path.

As a front end or summing mixer though... We put some PT mixes summed digitally against the same mixes summed through a Spider - It wasn't even a fair fight. Great preamps too -- But I'd still go after a Flamingo (perhaps the greatest preamp I've ever used) or two *and* a HEDD and have the best of both. Although I suppose you'd still need some individual AD's...

anonymous Tue, 11/18/2008 - 23:35

Massive Mastering wrote: Dave actually talked me out of using the Spider and into the HEDD. There's just too much in the path.

Holy Cow! Thanks for that piece of advise. I'll wait a little longer to make sure I get a killer combo or get separate units. You'd think that there would be the same Crane Song consistency by adding 8 I/O's but I guess the pre-amp section and all those channels can't be transparently by-passed to act as a discrete two in and outs. I am sure is a great unit for tracking and live recordings though.

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