Lynx AES16e AES/EBU PCI Express Audio Interface Reviews
The Lynx Studio Technology AES16e multi-channel interface is the ideal way to integrate digital consoles, multi-channel A/D and D/A converters, and hard disk recorders with PCI Express-equipped computer-based workstations. Using exclusive SynchroLock technology, jitter is eliminated for the purest conversions possible, and the AES16 supports sample-rates up to 192kHz. Large, on-board buffers ensure glitch-free recording and playback, aided by an extremely efficient zero-wait state DMA engine. These features provide tolerance to system latencies and significantly reduce load on the host CPU. The AES16e is a great centerpiece of a digital studio.
Lynx Studio Technology AES16e 192kHz Multi-channel AES/EBU PCI Express Interface at a Glance:
- Supports up to 16 channels of 192kHz audio I/O
- Exclusive SynchroLock technology assures jitter-free performance
- Low-latency performance and reduced CPU load
- Mastering-grade sample rate conversion
- Onboard digital mixer
The AES16e offers unprecedented AES/EBU channel capacity and routing flexibility in a single PCIe card format. With support for up to 16 channels of input and output at sample rates up to 192kHz, the AES16e turns your computer into a powerful digital router or patchbay with extensive flexibility with minimal cabling. Most importantly, the AES16e supports the single-wire 192kHz standard and is compatible with existing dual-wire AES/EBU devices. Up to four AES16es can be installed in a single computer. (Windows)
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Most Recent Reviews
Works, pretty flawless
Installing the driver for this was the most flawless thing I've ever done. I am interfacing a Topping D90 and a Lynx Hilo and they "just work" with this card. Haven't had any issues, lag, dropouts, ticks, etc. Sound quality has been excellent. I went with this card because USB has been flaky on my workstation with audio devices. This just works and will allow me to connect more professional converters down the road with ease. Looking at the PCB quality of the board, you can definitely tell this is Made in the USA. It's expensive for us normal people but I will be using this for a long time..
PCI-Express Low-latency Solution
So, here's what: I've been using IEEE1394 and USB audio interfaces for a few years now, but I could never achieve the low latency and stability I wanted with my virtual instruments as I once did with my old PCI Delta something-something by M-Audio, now an obsolete dinosaur thanks to no legacy PCI support on recent PC hardware with well-behaved (low DPC) drivers. I don't want to be burned by USB3 and Thunderbolt shenanigans, and I didn't like the cost and reputation of RME, so I went with Lynx this time around because I already had an Aurora and that's been pretty good.
WHAT'S GOOD: It's better than not bad! Just install the card, hook up your favorite DAC with AES, and install the driver. Pow, it works, no config needed. The drivers install without any issues on Win7 64-bit and Win10, and the software mixer is easy to wrap your head around if you're familiar with any DAW mixer. There may as well be no noise floor at all, this card's outputs are so clean at even ridiculous gain, so no worries there. Doesn't pick up any interference from surrounding expansion cards, like the graphics and raid controllers, so I'm led to believe it's fairly well-shielded. Now, the main reason I bought the thing was for playing virtual instruments live, so can it do that? Well, I can record my voice and play my favorite piano library, the Ravenscroft, at less than 5ms latency with some verb and light accompaniment supplied by Kontakt. Honestly, I feel like I'm using a decent workstation again. Yep, that's mission accomplished.
WHAT'S JUST OK: No cables included. You have to buy the "CBL-AES1604" break-out cables separately, and you will need at least one, but they're not too pricey. If you have to sync via wordclock around your studio, you'll likely need two cables, since each cable supplies only either wordclock in or out depending on which port you attach them to.
WHAT'S NOT GOOD: This could just be me, but the Lynx driver resets Windows audio levels to max after every reboot. If you run into this issue, I'd advise to setup your gain staging so you aren't relying on the digital output from this card being anything but full tilt. Sure, it's better that way anyway if you want the lowest possible noise floor, but just be aware - this part of your signal chain cannot be relied upon unless you're handy with powershell and can whip up a startup script to set nominal levels for you. You'll forget to do it otherwise.
Works Great
I really like the card. I think an upgrade-able version would be nice. What do I mean, the ability to add the source conversion at a latter date would be nice. But this card works great and so far does everything I've asked of it.
fantastic!
In combination with the Lynx Aurora 16 this is an amazing card. The only limitation is the number of tracks recording at once, but for us, recording more than 16 at a time almost never happens. The sound is amazing. As good as I've heard. The Lynx clock makes this sound as good as ProTools HD. Highly recommended.
GREAT INTERFACE
Works great with aurora converters. you can record with absolutely no latency with the lynx software. I also had this hook up to the cpu with a apogee rosetta 200 with aes cables from lynx and it worked like a dream. No more firewire issues because it hooks directly in cpu via pci-e slot.. I will never go back to firewire interfaces. I use this card with studio one pro and it works like a dream. Remember absolutely no latency when recording using lynx mixer software. I can use buffer settings at 64 or larger and it doesn't matter because you can track with no latency.
