Old Creaware / S|C A16 Ultra Mk 1

[fraz]

Hi,

Were Creamware / S|C the only companies who implemented / used Z-link with their ADAT I/O boxes?

Are there any other companies today who use Z-link on their ADAT I/O boxes?

Reason for asking is I've got a Power Sampler (dinsosaur!) with ADAT expansion plate which feature Z-link - And I'm trying to work out whether I want/need or are actually able to use this or not. If I was to use this then a 2nd hand A16 Mk 1 would be needed or AN other device currently featuring Z-link.

Thanks as always....

[dante]

The only other option is a second hand Luna box.

[Liquid EDGE]

From what I understand and remember is z-link was creamwares own protocol for FireWire.
It looks like sonic core kept this on the xite-1 to still use old creamware audio i/o interfaces but have adopted adat only for future and now audio I/o interfaces like the one from partner ferofish.

[garyb]

MADI is still a real possibility for XITE, as is another Z-Link AD/DA box. it depends on timing and money.

[fraz]

On the Xite-1 I can use the MK 1 A16 no worries there....

[HUROLURA]

Z-link was not implemented on Xite-1 when first announced but it was added due to user demands (who wanted to keep using their A16U, A16 mk II didn't exist at that time).

So Z-link, unlike ADAT can only be used to connect to an external I/O devices either A16U providing 16 I/O by using two Z-link connection (for Xite and Scope PCI) or the smaller Luna 2496 I/O boxes providing 8 I/O by using one Z-link connection (Scope PCI only as the Xite doesn't provide the required power supply that was provided on Scope PCI).

Z-link allows 8 channels 96KHz I/O on a single connector whereas an ADAT pair is limited to 8 channel 48 KHz I/O or 4 channels 96 KHz I/O in SMUX mode.

ADAT is more "standard" but you have to compromise on samplerate or channel counts.
Z-link is specific to CW/SC but provide full samplerate on all channels.
ADAT also allow connection between Xite and Scope PCI for example (the way most of us combine Xite and Scope PCI I guess).

Up to now, Scope PCI systems still provide much more I/O than the newer Xite due to the fact that one can "stack" up to 3 scope board.