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Post by Mister Chase on Sept 4, 2017 15:34:24 GMT -6
So my original aurora needed a cap job and I decided to get it refurbed and put it towards and N before the old one gets any older.
Not much out there on the (n) but I will surely let you guys know.
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Post by Mister Chase on Sept 19, 2017 21:35:26 GMT -6
Finally, it will show up on Thursday. I'm really curious as to what I will hear. I've been without my old Aurora for a month now so a comparison won't really be possible but I'll do my best.
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Post by Mister Chase on Sept 26, 2017 13:42:38 GMT -6
Well, the original Aurora is probably pretty hard to top as far as transparency goes.(please note I have never tried Prism, Lavry etc) I think that device was ahead of it's time when it launched in 2006. The Aurora(n) sounds more transparent to me but it is probably the features that I enjoy the most about it over it's predecessor. It's tough to hear a lack of color compared to trying to hear color. So it's hard for me to really be sure if I am hearing yet more transparency versus a device that was already very clean. I would say though that the (n) is more transparent with clearer imaging and depth. Though it's not night and day to my ears.
It is, however, totally modular but not end-user upgrade-able. I am starting with 8 analog in/outs for now. If I choose to, I can have more 8/8 channel modules added, both analog or digital, as well as preamp channel modules which are in the works. It continues the L-Slot obsolescence-defeating heritage with four options currently - Dante, Thunderbolt, USB and Pro Tools|HD. MADI is no longer being offered.
It sports two headphone monitors right on the front, each with it's own volume control. This is incredibly handy if you ask me.
The recording to SD card is a nice option if I am doing something like a jazz or classical gig(or any other genre, but that's just how I would use it). You can record simultaneously to the DAW and SD card for a confidence recording.
It sports a little LCD screen with metering and options. The buttons are large and slightly soft and function well. The menus are fairly easy to navigate and aren't confusing, which is nice. A couple of other big pluses - the unit is much lighter(mine isn't full of modules as my Aurora 16 was, but it's significantly lighter)and doesn't hardly put off any heat at all. It almost makes me a little sad. I welcomed the old Aurora's heat in the winter time. Honestly, less heat is fantastic for part life cycles.
It uses a switching power supply that is still enclosed in the unit. It is more than likely based off a much higher power cycle rate than the older linear transformer of the original Aurora(there was a huge toroid in there!)
I wish I could provide clips comparing the two units, but I cannot. I also moved to a new room while I was without any converters so my ears are adjusting to that, too.
Anyway, not a ton to report here. It would be very useful to compare side by side. I still think for the price it is a nice converter/interface setup while being cheaper than other modular designs like Merging Tech. I wish I could compare to their Hilo since they borrowed a lot of tech from that unit to make this one.
Anyways. That's what I think so far!
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Post by Mister Chase on Oct 23, 2017 21:43:52 GMT -6
A little update. There seems to be a bug with the headphone outs. At least the first one. They already have included it in their FAQ section. After a while, there will be no sound from the headphone out. You restart the Aurora (n) and it works fine. Not a huge deal as it is occasional, but still slightly strange on a top dollar AD/DA. Launch bug I am guessing.
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Post by sozocaps on Nov 22, 2017 22:00:56 GMT -6
Hmmm sounds bigger and warmer then the Avid... reminds me of the AD on the Symphony MKII clips
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 22, 2017 23:04:34 GMT -6
So the question is, is it bigger and warmer due to coloration(I doubt it) or due to the fact that we can hear even more of what the mic and preamp are trying to get across(I suspect so).
Tis a great converter either way.
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Post by sozocaps on Nov 23, 2017 10:23:09 GMT -6
I agree... probably much closer to the live feed when compared like the Symphony had demonstrated years ago when they had the live Jazz band playing in the studio and you could switch between the desk and the converted signal.
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 23, 2017 21:13:53 GMT -6
Very cool. I missed that.
And after listening to the video, I would agree. Larger, clearer, but somehow smoother. Probably more pure signal. Pretty amazing. I think I made a good choice. The AVID A/D sounds brittle in comparison.
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Post by spindrift on Nov 23, 2017 21:16:47 GMT -6
I’m running a RADAR Nyquist but am anxious to pit it against a Symphony I/O MKII and this new Aurora(n).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2017 21:56:22 GMT -6
It seems 8 channels is the lowest channel count for this new unit.
I wonder if they will release a simple AD / DA version with the added headphone monitors feature like Prism do with the Lyra.
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Post by LesC on Nov 24, 2017 18:10:10 GMT -6
Isn't the Lynx Hilo similar to the Prism Lyra? And it's supposed to be higher quality conversion than the Aurora (n).
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 25, 2017 19:38:20 GMT -6
It seems 8 channels is the lowest channel count for this new unit. I wonder if they will release a simple AD / DA version with the added headphone monitors feature like Prism do with the Lyra. That would be the Lynx Hilo mastering converter. 2ch ad/da if I am not mistaken. |
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 25, 2017 19:39:26 GMT -6
Isn't the Lynx Hilo similar to the Prism Lyra? And it's supposed to be higher quality conversion than the Aurora (n). That is correct. The Aurora (n) was based off of the Hilo converter technology. However, it would be very cost prohibitive to make a box capable of 32 channels of actual Hilo conversion. So they got as close as they could to that sound and tech but with the constraints of higher channel counts. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 20:12:08 GMT -6
Interesting, thanks for info..
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Post by Quint on Nov 25, 2017 20:42:04 GMT -6
One of these may be in my future.
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 25, 2017 23:20:26 GMT -6
Interesting, thanks for info.. Sure! The guys at Lynx are quite good for support. I have talked to Paul Erlandson many times via email for any questions I've had. |
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 25, 2017 23:21:36 GMT -6
One of these may be in my future. Cool! It's a very nice unit. Best conversion I've heard to date! Not that I've auditioned bunches, but I've worked on AVID HD and I have visited a studio with Merging Tech and I owned the previous Aurora. |
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Post by Quint on Nov 25, 2017 23:46:06 GMT -6
One of these may be in my future. Cool! It's a very nice unit. Bed conversion I've heard to date! Not that I've auditioned bunches, but I've worked on AVID HD and I have visited a studio with Merging Tech and I owned the previous Aurora. How is the sound of new Aurora? Is it attempting to be clean and transparent like the old Aurora or does it have a little bit of color to it like the Symphony and previous Apogee stuff? I'm curious to hear how it compares to the Symphony MKII in sound. |
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Post by Mister Chase on Nov 26, 2017 16:51:52 GMT -6
Lynx claims that this is another leap forward in the quest for ultimate transparency in a converter. The thought of capturing as perfectly as possible the analog gear we use to record is a good one, I think. As you can hear in the clip above in the comparison video, I think they did a great job. I always dug the Avid HD and the old Aurora, but something about the sound is more transparent and true I think, yet smoother(probably because of this?)
Anyhow, I think it sounds just fantastic. So good, I never think about it, if that makes sense.
I worked on a Symphony mkii at a friends place for just a day, and it was lovely, too. Hard to compare. I think Symphony has always had a touch of color that people enjoy.
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