Lynx Studio Technology Hilo USB

Lynx Studio Technology Hilo USB

Het Hilo Reference A/D D/A Converter Systeem is in essentie vijf producten in één:
– AD converter
– DA converter (3x)
– hoofdtelefoonversterker
– format/sample rate converter
– Real Time Analyzer (RTA)

De 3 stereo DA’s zijn van identieke kwaliteit. Een DA output op balanced XLR; een op balanced 6.3mm jack en een aparte DA voor de hoofdtelefoon. Deze drie DA’s zijn apart aan te sturen middels de interne mixer. Deze interne 32 kanalen mixer kan elke input naar elke output routen.

De connectiviteit van de Hilo laat niets te wensen over. Nieuw ontworpen analoge ingangstrappen en bi-lineaire converter technologie zorgen voor een uitstekende signaal/ruisverhouding en een ongekende transparantie. Met de digitale I/O’s kunt u alle kanten op: AES/EBU, S/PDIF ( coax + optical) en ADAT. De Hilo is standaard voorzien van een LT-USB of Thunderbolt interface waarmee de unit direct op elke computer is aan te sluiten. Met de speciaal ontwikkelde app kan de Hilo worden bestuurd en uitgelezen op een iPad.

Hilo is de eerste converter die volledig te bedienen is via een touch screen. Een van de mogelijkheden van deze display is het weergeven van diverse PPM, Vu meter lay-outs en zoals gezegd een RTA. De Hilo is FPGA gebaseerd wat betekent dat de functionaliteit van de unit middels updates uitbreidbaar is. Het plan is in de toekomst onder meer het aantal meterschalen uit te breiden en de unit te voorzien van diagnose programma’s.

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The Hilo Reference A/D D/A Converter System reengineers and redefines the concept and functionality of the two-channel converter. Essentially three units in one: A/D converter; D/A converter; and headphone amplifier, Hilo offers connectivity, performance and control never before available. Newly designed differential analogue stages and bilinear converter topology provide industry-leading noise and distortion specifications and unprecedented transparency. Digital I/O is extremely versatile with support for AES/EBU, S/PDIF (via coax or optical) or ADAT. The Lynx LT-USB is standard, allowing additional USB I/O and computer connectivity.

Hilo is also the first professional converter with touch screen operation and monitoring. All controls and signal routing is set up using easy to use menus. The setup page shows two stereo input meters and three stereo output meters. Optional screens show two selectable meter sets and even old-style analogue VU meters. Future screens (updatable in the FPGA via download) will include further metering options, diagnostic operations and personalization.

The internal 32 channel mixer allows any input to be routed to any output. In fact there are three stereo analogue output options.
Line Out that supports eight standard trim settings, Monitor Out with a volume control, and a Headphone output, also with a volume control. In fact the headphone output has its own dedicated D/A converter with the option of a different mix than the Line and Monitor outputs.

Key Features and Specifications
o Full-featured, ultra high performance A/D D/A converter
o 12 inputs and 16 outputso Control and monitoring via 480 x 272 LCD touch screen
o Three in one pro-level unit: A/D converter; D/A converter; headphone amplifier
o Latest FPGA technology allows future enhancements and ability to use LCD technology for added metering, diagnostic, measurement functions
o Utilizes Lynx Studio Technology’s proprietary SynchroLock
™ technology to virtually eliminate jitter o Analogue, AES/EBU, S/PDIF (via coax or TOSLINK), ADAT, USB inputs and outputs
o Designed and manufactured in the USA by Lynx Studio Technology, Inc.

Sound on Sound Magazine
S U M M A R Y
A state-of-the-art converter with comprehensive digital I/O including multi-channel USB 2. Major strengths are its internal routing matrix, which allows input signals to be mixed and mirrored to various outputs, and its touch screen interface, which enables almost unlimited potential for future function upgrades.

VERDICT
In terms of pure audio quality, the Hilo is a very impressive flagship product for Lynx, and it is going to be a very interesting product to watch in the coming months. The connectivity should already make the Hilo appeal to anyone wanting a simple but very high-quality line-level interface (there are no mic or instrument preamps) for studio or battery-powered location recording. Its attractive styling (it will also be available in black) should appeal to well-heeled