Hey I'm looking to pull the trigger on some conversion for my living room setup. A couple high quality channels fits the needs, and around 1k is the most I'm looking to put into this one. I'm basically gonna track ideas via an eleven rack, and archive all my old stuff with this setup getting it ready for the new custom computer and 384k+ capable conversion. So it's going to see daily use for about a year while I'm drafting plans for my new place and rallying up all my old files.
I like that these are good solid quality converters and the latency specs are low. Having something better than a Scarlett will make it exciting to hear all my old stuff again, and give me a good idea of how my new effects sound. Theres no real mixing or tracking inteded w this system just scratch pad stuff, so the quality doesn't need to be really any better than a $100 interface. I'll likely get a base model Scarlett for my net book. But am considering the Scarlett rack for this living room rig if all else fails.
With the next converters being much more of an investment I figure having a solid idea of RME or Lynx level conversion will give me a good benchmark to compare others to.
Here's the two. I'm leaning lynx due to 2 more channels, selectable/variable trim on the I/o, and cuz it's abasically an aurora with slightly improved caps and other analog components. It comes in 4x4 adda and 2x2, for $1k and $500 respectively. (E44, E22) models.
RME is a bit cheaper and cheaper to expand, and has a solid rep for bullet proof drivers and low latency performance. I will say that in general the RME stuff I've heard non scientifically always seems to sound a bit contained with a little top hype.
there's also he option of the PCI card from RME which came out on '03 but is $500 new. It's latency min is 1.5ms vs the newer PCIe stuff which is .7ms.
Anyway I appreciate any thoughts and alternatives. 1k is a bit to part with for basically a short term thing, but I'm thinking I'll thank myself a month or two in, when I'm still curious/excited about my new sounds and old matertail. Figure whatever I end up w will move into being my mobile setup.
Lynx - $500-1k (pcie)
https://www.lynxstudio.com/products/e44/
RME -$900 (pcie)
http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/hdspe_aio.php
RME - $530 (pci)
Comments
To my tests and what I've read from other peers, PCIe is better
To my tests and what I've read from other peers, PCIe is better performance. I never did a bench test but when I switched to PCIe, my computer seemed smoother. I've heard others say this too. But, this may only be worth the value with 8 or more channels.
2 channel and 4, I don't even know if I would go that route, I'd go simple USB or FW built into the converter.
But, you could use this as your capture ADDA after you setup your main system. Seems like you might as well get something that is really solid and all you need (if this is a scratch converter as well, 96k at most.
The capture ADDA needs to be great but you will likely never need more than 96k.
RME because they are from experience, rock solid, great resale as well. But I forgot you mentioned you are getting a ?? Lynx conversion? So maybe Lynx fits with Lynx ADC.
Hope that helps.
Cool. audiokid, post: 450022, member: 1 wrote: To my tests and
Cool.
audiokid, post: 450022, member: 1 wrote: To my tests and what I've read from other peers, PCIe is better performance. I never did a bench test but when I switched to PCIe, my computer seemed smoother. I've heard others say this too. But, this may only be worth the value with 8 or more channels.
2 channel and 4, I don't even know if I would go that route, I'd go simple USB or FW built into the converter.
Pcie definately better performance. PCI outruled.
I've not found a USB or FW interface that's up to the quality of these cards sonically (from www) or the latency performance.
The RME adi 2 ch pro is USB and I'd have already ordered it but it's 2x the price. Thing does 786khz sample rates. Shiny. I'm very interested in this as a 2ch master converter in the next system.
audiokid, post: 450022, member: 1 wrote: But, you could use this as your capture ADDA after you setup your main system. Seems like you might as well get something that is really solid and all you need (if this is a scratch converter as well, 96k at most.
That's the plan. Capture for src seems like a necessary road to try walking. Even Samplitude isn't rendenring clean as I'd like.
Many potential uses for this thing, mobile, spare/bedroom, home entertainment system.
audiokid, post: 450022, member: 1 wrote: RME because they are from experience, rock solid, great resale as well. But I forgot you mentioned you are getting a ?? Lynx conversion? So maybe Lynx fits with Lynx ADC.
The ???? was for any alternatives to the lynx or RME.
Basically it's mytek, Burl, antelope, DAD, or maybe purism, for the next step. At least so far anyway.
So this current thing is what I'll use in the meantime for a year or so, and to compare the flagship converters with.
It makes no financial sense to go out my way to try these at the sub 1k tag so I it's a gamble either way. good point about resale value.
Either way future scalability and value is lowest priority on this one, although welcome.
I wish I could develop some sort of consensus on the actual sound qualities of both. Even GS didn't have much info available. RME is by far more popular pcie, and probably overall. The hangup is basically is the lynx 'a little better' or does is tendencies lend towards something I'd like better.
audiokid, post: 450028, member: 1 wrote: wow 768 sorry lol. But
audiokid, post: 450028, member: 1 wrote: wow
768 sorry lol. But that's why I wanna keep this round in the 1k range, cuz the next level stuff is crazy cool!
This is such a close call between these two cards. It's a little rough since the RME is from '09, and the lynx was relased in '15, but it's basically an updated design from the aurora which is gotta be like 10 years old by now at least.
It's like an extra 1k gets the 786k capable RME that came out this year. Granted it's USB, so latency it different but still.
If I can't get any more clarity on these cards after exhausting the www this last time, I may have to just order both and return whichever doesn't best. Or I could just use the eleven rack as the interface for the time being.
seems like overall lynx is a better sonic unit, RME is better price and expandibility. lol I'll probably just try both and hear which one I like.
To be honest from a re-sale perspective I'd probably be better off with the adi-2 pro for 2k since it literally came out this year. If I go to sell it next year I can probably get 75-90% back. The cards are probably more in the 50-70% back.
I might stand to loose less actual $ amount if I put more money out up front. Figuring I'll loose 2-300 vs 3-400.
I'm concerned about latency via USB even when it's only 2 tracks I don't think it gets lower than 3ms which is still low.
Couldn't find one Lynx card used... the RME card is selling arou
Couldn't find one Lynx card used... the RME card is selling around 600 used from what I can tell, and there's a few out there.
So it seems like if I get the lynx I have to plan on keeping it. And if I take a $300 hit on RME would it be better if it was on the state of the art adi pro, or the 8 year old but pcie based, hdspe card. If one of them made sense long term as a keeper it's the more expensive adi pro.
That adi sure would make one heck of a capture daw converter though wouldn't it?? What's also interesting is with 4 outs I can have dedicated feeds to a summing rig and monitors, if I kept the adi pro as a main daw DA.
http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/adi_2-pro.php
I guess if its financially a wash, it's basically pcie speed / latency, vs USB speed but higher spec conversion.
The other concern is, is the adi pro, just an old adi w newer spec chips but similar overall design.
audiokid, post: 450049, member: 1 wrote: I've never been a Lynx
audiokid, post: 450049, member: 1 wrote: I've never been a Lynx fan. And they use Yamaha pinout, so goofy. Check that before you buy Lynx anything. You can't use the same cabling, at least with older Lynx.
Yeah good point. Eventually I'd do custom cables either way, stock cables for either lynx or RME is $80.
audiokid, post: 450050, member: 1 wrote: Wow, I don't know if we really need that much SR but it sure is smoking. I can't imagine the CPU stress and HD space needed.I'm thinking, right on... this is going to drive the price of 192 converters down. Just what I have been waiting for.
Yeah high SR is my shiny thing. lol I'm just trying to explore if sample rate effects digitals traits relative to tape. Like smoothness or something.
Since I'm designing my next workstation the 384k would be a great stress test on this Lenovo. Lol reaper is the only daw I know of that will go 768k!! I'm sure there's others.
lol you've been waiting for 192 to drop, I've been waiting for +192 to come to market/realistic pricing.
I dunno considering wether it's a $500 Scarlett, pcie card, or adi-2 pro (or similar) it's a $300 loss if I go to sell. So it's the same $300 to 'rent/use' any of them. It's a matter of how much to tie up.
Lynx's lack of resale and general popularity and 8ch digital out are putting it in last place right now. At least the RME card could feed a home theater receiver adat.
The adi-2 pro has a sample rate conversion function, which I'm not sure how it works, but ideally I'd be able to go i/0 of the eleven rack via its spdif, in realtime at sample rates higher than the eleven's 96k max..
This adi-2 pro is looking very appealing tonight.
120db+ dynamic range on the adda
4 selectable digital gain sensitivity levels for the I/o and plus 6dbs in .5db steps. Which is a great level of digital trim reslolution.
768k lol
Not loving the USB or half rack/desktop format.
It seems the lynx card and RME adi USB both do realtime upsampli
It seems the lynx card and RME adi USB both do realtime upsampling, still trying to find out about the hdspe. It's doesn't seem listed in the manual.
RME is touting pcie like performance from the USB drivers on a good pc. I know the numbers for the babyface latency were low. Maybe even 1.5 ms.
If the RME card does upsampling, it's the most practical choice. Connecting the eleven digitally keeps the 2 analog ins open. Otherwise I have to just tie up the analog ins w eleven. Not the biggest deal. With the lynx cards 4 analog I/o it's not an issue, and it upsamples. But the lynx lacks full 8 ch adat, and midi.
The whole upsample thing is kinda more for experiment since I always planned to record the eleven analog out and in. I dunno, I just like less technical limitations. Plug and play is cool.
So as of now it's the RME pcie card is choice one, unless it doesn't do upsample, then the adi-2 pro is first choice or tied for it. The state of the art allure and digital gaining, as well as potential resale really make it one of the best all around values I can find. Third is the lynx card, which really is only if I find upsampling essential.
Steve via still uses aurora, along w his new burls, so there's no question of the lynx quality level. They just released the new aurura (n) interface. Even though the RME pcie card is potentially a slight step down in quality it's feature set seems to justify it, which isn't the case in all things, ehem, backie mig knob...
But damn. The adi-2 just seems like the cats grass ya know? I'm mentally negotiating what I want to give up for it. The new guitar, the tube mic, hmmm. More likely than not it'll effect when the computer workstation happens.
Also I'm in a living room with Yamaha hs5's so, does state of the art matter.??
I keep trying to not want the adi-2... it's not working right.
Anyway I attached a couple tidbits from the manuals about latency and upsampling fwiw
Lol this thread is kinda dull, I get it. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of choices for high quality I/o. There's always add on features. How about fast, high quality I/o, nothing else. No dsp, no thunderbolt, who cares about headphone amp quality really? For ibuds??
Basically the pcie cards are perfect, for my needs, just kinda at the tail end of their life span, but still at a point where they're commanding full price.
If the RME pcie card does upsample it's tough to justify anything else. If not I'm undoubtedly shooting for the Adi for its high specs and easy (projected) resale in 2018 if needed.
Also if USB drivers from RME don't perform well enough for me, none will, and that will be a clear indication I need pcie bus speeds in the flagship converters.
Attached files 
Well looks like I'm aiming at the adi-2 pro. I figure I'll grab
Well looks like I'm aiming at the adi-2 pro. I figure I'll grab it now, sell it in a year or so for 1700, and maybe the new RME pcie card will be out by then and I'll grab it that for around $900 if they stick w the same pricing.
I'm worried about the resale value of a 9 year old card since they already sell %40 off the new price. I can't imagine the next gen is too far off.
The lynx just seems to have too few users and anon existent used market presence, to be a 'safe bet' financially.
All in all the adi pro is the most upfront but stands to de value the least both in actual dollars and % wise. That's my best speculation anyway.
So this adi will show me quality, and allow me to audition USB latency these days (vs ten years ago when I had my old FW interface) so it will help determine if pcie based speeds are necessary for me or not. The HDSpe card would show me raw speed and decent connectivity, but not the same level of quality or sample rate functionality.
So last call here
pcrecord what are your thoughts as an owner of both, on mytek vs RME
Boswell having looked at the lynx hilo, prism Lyra, is there anything you know of that makes these surpass the adi pro? Is there another better altertianve I missed?
Any thoughts from anyone else are appreciated. Looking to make the call, and lay it down for a month or so, while keeping my eyes open the whole time for a sale. Thx
kmetal, post: 450064, member: 37533 wrote: You had an Orion for
kmetal, post: 450064, member: 37533 wrote: You had an Orion for a while right?
Yes, I really liked the Orion but its not the best but it is the best 32 ADDA at that price.
kmetal, post: 450064, member: 37533 wrote: There's also the antelope pure 2 which they say hasn't the same clocking and conversion tech as the Orion. audiokid do you think 2k for a 2ch antelope unit is the best choice?
I think the Pure 2 is likely very good (I've been debating buying it too) but I think its a good time to sit and watch the market for a while. If a new crop of converters are coming, I would wait for prices to drop and buy used. But I don't need anything more that 96k. Thats all I'm into until the internet improves.
audiokid, post: 450065, member: 1 wrote: Yes, I really liked the
audiokid, post: 450065, member: 1 wrote: Yes, I really liked the Orion but its not the best but it is the best 32 ADDA at that price.
I think the Pure 2 is likely very good (I've been debating buying it too) but I think its a good time to sit and watch the market for a while. If a new crop of converters are coming, I would wait for prices to drop and buy used. But I don't need anything more that 96k. Thats all I'm into until the internet improves.
Thanks chris. Since the pure 2 and Orion are based on the same conversion and I'm guessing analog topology I'm gonna pass on it.
I totally agree with you about the new crop of converters. The new 8ch/384k mytek is due out in the fall, I've been waiting since last year.
Most of my stuff is in 44.1. I'm interested in higher sample rates for experimental and archival purposes.
I think the adi pro is the most bang for the buck out there from what I can find.
I think I'm gonna grab it, use it for a year, and sell it for most of what I paid. I'll probably get within $300 of the new price. Basically this extra 1k is coming from the computer account. When it comes time to build the computer and get the new interface fall/winter, I'll ditch the adi possibly for a pcie card from RME which will hopefully be next gen.
Basically I think, that the adi will hold its re sale better than a pcie card model from '09. lol I just sense a new card dropping in the next year or two.
I'm not sure if my thinking makes sense or not. Seems like it's a matter or having the money tied up in the bank or on the converter for some time. The converter sounds more fun.
I'm excited for the new crop of conversion, i want to have something of quality to compare the new ones with, since I'm probably going to buy several converters and keep one.
Used, currently my only option is the HDSpe card. Lynx and the adi don't seem available used yet.
Lol as long as people keep gushing over on GS about the adi, I'll be able to sell it no sweat. Fingers crossed.
We re at a crossover point where the old stuff is still full price and the new stuff is about to be released at those same price points. I'm gonna try and buy and sell high, and come out close to even as possible. I don't mind taking a little bit off the top for the luxury of having a brand new one. I think the trick is to just read the market well so you either get a great intro price, or grab that first price drop. Then sell while it's still in the same price point. Seems like comverters stay roughly the same for a couple years then drop maybe 10-25% if at all over time.
If this thing is half as cool as the hype and reviews, it's quite good. Seems up there w cranesong and mytek and prism, people are even favoring it over those. Although newer can seem better...
I'd still like to here Marco and bozs thoughts, but as of now I'm shopping adi, as first choice, and the RME card as second. The lynx is likely cool, even maybe slightly better than the RME card, but there's too little info about it. So that's pretty much ruled out.
audiokid, post: 450069, member: 1 wrote: I'm excited for you. Co
audiokid, post: 450069, member: 1 wrote: I'm excited for you. Converters are really important. The ADI pro is likely awesome.
Cheers man, I'm shooting for the end of June. Lol lord knows you guys will hear about it.! Don't think I can do any better than adi pro at the current time/price point.
As dorky as it sounds, I'm most looking forward to doing sample rate and codec a/b's, since the adi does absurd numbers. Between Samplitude, sonnox, and isotope, and waves, I'd be shocked if we all didn't hear noticeable differences in the processing/design.
Since it's taking people a while to catch on to the two daw thing, i think same rates and codec differences are a relavnt area to pursue for most engineers.
Lol we can also see if my financial projections for re sale pan out, or fall flat.
RME.
RME.