Lynx HiLo

Reviews | Lynx HiLo
74
T
he HiLo combines Lynx Aurora
converters and a multichannel
USB interface into a
non-rackmount system for
monitoring, recording, digital
format/sample rate conversion and level
metering which is not only aimed at the
studio recordist, but also at the
mastering and audiophile markets.
Mobile applications are also catered for
via the four-pin XLR 9-18V input,
though you’ll want a power source that
can provide the 30W necessary.
The front is dominated by a 480 x
282 pixel LCD touchscreen display,
accompanied only by the standby
button, headphone socket and stepped
jogwheel. Conversely the rear is bursting
with I/O. Finally you get a choice of a
black or silver front panel.
The HiLo is all about the
touchscreen which accesses the fi ve
menu pages. First is the metering
screen with three options: dual VUs
(dBFS +3), two stereo horizontal
bargraph meters, or All I/O (except
ADAT) via 48 vertical bargraphs. The
fi rst two stereo options can be used to
monitor any non-USB stereo channel
with two taps of the screen. The All I/O
option is a bit too small for any
meaningful monitoring, but enough to
see what’s where. The other two options
are clear, with the horizontal bargraphs
proving the most useful. The second
screen hosts the metering and display
options, including the ‘Return to
Meters’ time setting that saves a lot of
toggling back. The third page shows
digital signal statuses such as input
signal properties and sync state, as well
as hosting digital output settings. An
additional ‘Frequency Counter’
monitors all of the incoming digital
rates. The fourth page is home to the
save/recall buttons for six scene
memory slots. These can’t be renamed
so you have to know what’s in each.
The other noteworthy button here is the
sample rate converter – great for those
who regularly use playback sources with
different rates (DSD recorders).
The fi fth and fi nal page hosts the
sample rate and sync source settings as
well as the output mix page and Line
In/Out trims (see The Trims box). The
WHAT IS IT?
Reference A/D and D/A
converter system and USB
2.0 interface with LCD
touchscreen
CONTACT
Who: Source Distribution
Tel: [phone]
Web: www.lynxstudio.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1 High quality AD/DA
conversion
2 Easy sample rate
conversion
3 Line In/Out level trimming
Lynx HiLo | £2,299
AD/DA conversion, signal routing and format
conversion – all housed in a touchscreen silver
‘brick’. Robbie Stamp feels the quality
INCLUDES AUDIO
l
There’s some software and
hardware-based level
trimming controls to make
sure it fi ts as snugly as
possible into your setup.
The Line In/Out trims can
be adjusted from the
touchscreen with eight
different settings. Not all
analogue equipment
operates in the same way
and differences in
signal-to-noise ratios and
headroom can mean the
best signal quality may be
obtained at very different
voltages. Trimming the
analogue I/O reference
level means your signal
does not have to be
digitally attenuated or
boosted (ie, lose or gain
bits) to match external
equipment. The HiLo
leaves the factory with I/O
calibrated to ±0.01dB,
but to counter the effects
of age and temperature as
well as for those who need
to change it, there are
user accessible trim pots
for adjusting Line In and
Out, Left and Right, by
±0.5dB. PCB jumpers are
also provided to shift the
monitor output level.
The Trims
FMU256.rev_lynx.indd 74 7/19/12 11:46 AM