WTB: 24 bit ADAT converters. (and maybs S/Pdif too)

[no-fi]

Hy all, looking to upgrade my fireface's extra inputs.
Has anyone got anything they are selling? (or can recommend a good unit to buy?)

I'd prefer outs on the converters as well as ins.
I want balanced signals, even though I'll probably run them unbalanced for now.
No preamps required (and need to be bypassable for standard line in, if they are there)


I have an alesis AI3 which is alright apart from not being 24 bit, and only syncs it's clock to an incoming ADAT optical signal (which isn't a real problem, except I have a nagging feeling it'd work better with a proper clock signal)

I also have a fostex thing with RCAs I'd like to stop using.


I'm also be interested in S/Pdif converters. A decent stereo output would be nice(will have to use the headphone out to my monitors when I put aside my mixer, otherwise) Another stereo in might also be tempting.

thanks!

[Kurt]

Does ADAT work with 16 or 24 bit?

I have a couple of ADAT interfaces and they don't have settings for bit depth, the bit depth is decided by the thing they interface with? My soundcard has ADAT I/O and it doesn't mention bit depth anywhere either.

But I can record incoming signal at 16 or 24 bit (maybe 32 as well, never looked) in Sonar.

[no-fi]

I believe ADAT optical can carry 8 x 24/48k channels (which is all good, I record in 24/44.1k) and you only get 4 channels/cable when you go to 96k.

From my understanding, earlier ADAT boxes run 18 bit converters. in which case, yeah if the audio interface they're connected to sends 24 bits per sample to the PC you get 24 bits per sample, but the last 6 bits are all going to be blank. Then the setting in your DAW is just the bit depth that gets recorded.

[Alistair]

Hey Julian,

Will be selling one of these in the next week or so. Just waiting for the replacement to come in, and then it'll be out of the rack and up for sale. Let me know if you're interested-

http://frontierdesign.com/Products/Tango24

[mylesgm]

look around for a creamware converter or a sonic core. The other option is apogee ad16/da16 2x units for 16 I/O, excellent sounding, external clock, 16 channels per unit, aes as well as adat. I use the ad16 with my fireface800 for location work and I think its excellent. Did use a creamware a16 ultra for awhile and they too are flexible boxes with 16 i/o adat balanced.

[no-fi]

Oooh, tango 24 looks like what I was looking for. I thought it was going to only be the sonic core/creamware ultra that did what I wanted.
Definitely interested.

I googled the apogee, only to find I just missed one on this very forum the other month.... Damn! That would have been amazing. And for that level of ad I'd live without extra da parts...

[chribble]

funnily enough i'm looking for a cheap box to do this the other way around.

8 ADAT in to 8 1/4" or XLR out.
Any ideas?

[Kurt]

be!@#$%^&

[audioio]

look around for a creamware converter or a sonic core.

For those who don't know, Creamware became Sonic Core.

Did use a creamware a16 ultra for awhile and they too are flexible boxes with 16 i/o adat balanced.

Which I bought from Myles (thanks). It's an 18-bit (24-bit out I think), 44.1/48k. I subsequently got a more recent one which goes to 96k.

The only problem with the latter (and the Sonic Core update version, and some of the Auroras) is that if you want 16 channels of high-res, you need two of them, because they have only two lots of ADAT I/O: that's all 16 converters lo-res, or only the first 8 at hi-res.

You might wait a long time, because these don't come up on ebay often.

[Alistair]

Considering Julian and a few others have asked for info....I'm gonna run a mini FS right here- The tango is 24bit, but only up to 48kHz. As mentioned, ADAT can only do 8x 48 or 4x 96, and this only has one ADAT in and one ADAT out. All on 1/4" inputs, no extras (SPDIF etc). Does have a wordclock in, and an external power supply, which is unfortunately a Europe plug- I bought it 2nd hand from Perth with an US supply, that was damaged in shipping. I got Frontier to send me a nice new one, but they don't make AU supplies, just Euro and US. No stepdown etc needed, just a little converter plug I'll include.
It's a nice sounding little unit, but a little quirky.
It needs some careful attention with wordclocking- If not running off it's internal clock, it needs to be terminated correctly, otherwise there are occasional drop outs. Pretty standard stuff and easy to deal with, but a lot of newer units are self terminating etc. Happy to throw in a T bar and terminator.
The power supply can also cause an increase in the noise floor if too close to other units- luckily it's a long cable to I just run the power supply a meter or so away from my rack.

I'm upgrading to an older RME ADI- still only 48khz, but a few more options.
I guess I'm looking for about what I spend on the unit and power supply- it's in good condition, just missing a few screws on the top cover. Around $350 plus shipping I guess, but happy to consider offers.
Happy to take some pics if anyone is interested.