A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

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st1
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A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by st1 »

Hi,
I can see that people also consider their A16s with affection.
But do those boxes have any SCOPE-specific features that are not available on more modern equivalents from MOTU, Presonus or even Behringer?
(Coincidentally, some of the latter even have their own DSPs for effects!)
Liquid EDGE
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by Liquid EDGE »

They use z-link. 🤷‍♂️
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Bud Weiser
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by Bud Weiser »

^^^^
this !

:)

Bud
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yayajohn
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by yayajohn »

I think the original A16 (blue) did not have Z-link. So from what I've read it is just a really good reliable ADAT converter - no special features.
The A16 Ultra has the Z-link
st1
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by st1 »

Ok, thanks for info.
AFAICT, the Z-Link doesn't improve or detract from an ADAT connection type.
It basically does the same thing over a different transport.

I have plenty of Z-link-capable cards, but also good numbers of ADAT-connections.
So for me, both options would be equal, connection-wise.
And given that analogue circuits wear out (especially those pesky electrolytes), I see no audio or functional value (beyond nostalgic purism / religion) in using the A16 <ultra> boxes for signal conversion instead of a 2021-produces box.

Thanks for clearing this up.
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Bud Weiser
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by Bud Weiser »

st1 wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:32 am ... the Z-Link doesn't improve or detract from an ADAT connection type.
Z-Link doesn´t need SMUX for the higher sample rates above 48KHz.
You´d still get 16 channels I/O @96 Khz when using Z-Link,- vs ADAT 8 channels only @96Khz.

:)

Bud
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valis
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by valis »

^ that
dawman
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by dawman »

Z-Link plus dip switches for using Hardware FX Pedals like Strymons….

28E9E682-3A2A-4914-9938-F53EF75F23CF.jpeg
28E9E682-3A2A-4914-9938-F53EF75F23CF.jpeg (1.04 MiB) Viewed 1629 times
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yayajohn
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by yayajohn »

st1 wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:32 am Ok, thanks for info.
AFAICT, the Z-Link doesn't improve or detract from an ADAT connection type.
It basically does the same thing over a different transport.

I have plenty of Z-link-capable cards, but also good numbers of ADAT-connections.
So for me, both options would be equal, connection-wise.
And given that analogue circuits wear out (especially those pesky electrolytes), I see no audio or functional value (beyond nostalgic purism / religion) in using the A16 <ultra> boxes for signal conversion instead of a 2021-produces box.

Thanks for clearing this up.
No nostalgia here just functional value 8)
Did you also know that Scope can use both ADAT and Z-Link at the same time? I am currently using all of the I/O's on my Xite-1.
Most people do not covet their A16U's for the ADAT just so you know.
If you aren't going to use the Z-link on your Scope cards then I would suggest offering them for trade or at least trade the plates. There are always people looking for Z-link plates. (and sync plates even more)
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Bud Weiser
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Re: A16 vs other ADAT A/D/A converters

Post by Bud Weiser »

Yeah,- another Z-Link plate and Sync plate would be welcome here.

I can trade a guaranteed to work Classic 20 plate (2x ADAT I/O) which I already swapped for a Z-Link plate.

:)

Bud
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