Lynx HiLo

SPECS
Inputs: 2x XLR (Line),
1x XLR (AES/EBU), 1x BNC
(word clock), 1x Toslink
optical (S/PDIF or ADAT),
1x RCA (S/PDIF)
Outputs: 2x XLR (Line),
2x ¼-inch TRS (Monitor
out), 1x XLR (AES/EBU),
1x BNC (word clock),
1x Toslink optical (S/PDIF or
ADAT), 1x RCA (S/PDIF)
Other connectivity: 1x USB
2.0 socket
USB Audio: 32 channels
I/O up to 96kHz; 16
channels I/O up to 192kHz
Compatibility: OS X 10.6.4
or higher on Intel Mac or
Windows 7, XP or Vista
Sample Rates: All standard
rates up to 192kHz
Sync Source Options: Word
clock, AES/EBU or
S/PDIF inputs
LCD Display: 480 x 282
pixel LCD touchscreen
Dimensions:
216 x 254 x 83mm
Weight:
3.95kg
Lynx HiLo | Reviews
75
output mix page is where the routing
magic happens; each output pair,
including USB Record and ADAT out,
has a master fader and input selectors/
faders for the USB Playback, Line In
and Digital input channels. Each fader
is accompanied by a level meter and
can be set via the touchscreen (tricky)
or the jogwheel (far easier) which
adjusts in 0.5dB steps. Most of the
buttons on the touchscreen are large,
and laid out so that operation isn’t
fi ddly – although those with sausage
fi ngers may fi nd otherwise. Like many
LCD screens, viewing angle is a slight
limitation, especially for the VU meters
and a few white-on-grey sub-menus.
The Lynx effect
The LSLOT expansion port at the rear
comes with the LT-USB card pre-
installed to turn the HiLo into a
32-channel USB 2.0 interface. The
USB I/O shows up on the HiLo as stereo
pairs which can be routed to/from any of
the hardware I/O. Beyond basic
playback this allows the HiLo to capture
a variety of mixed sources for
post-production or stem mixing.
The converters used in the Lynx
Aurora product range are featured in the
HiLo and in combination with the
analogue line I/O and headphone
amplifi cation the results are excellent.
Firstly the frequency and transient
response is top notch on playback
(monitoring, line out and headphones)
giving a crystal clear reproduction of the
source. The stereo imaging is a match
for this performance and combined
make monitoring a real pleasure (when
the source is good, that is). Small shifts
in a source/mix are easily picked out
and adjusted without overcooking, a
problem that often occurs when
conversion and analogue signal paths
are compromised.
The line input and AD conversion
has the same story to tell and makes for
a very trustworthy path for mixes,
masters and any kind of tracking. The
headphone amping is impressive and
you could spend hours picking out the
ear candy in your favourite recordings,
but in practice it makes mix/master
checking a whole load easier than with
the often questionable headphone
provisions on most interfaces. Though
we could perceive subtle differences
between the HiLo and the Lavry
AD10/DA10 combination, these were
defi nitely in the subjective category and
were also source dependent.
The HiLo is oddly peerless in its
feature set and orientation, being part
interface, part
monitor controller
and part
mix/mastering
high-end stereo
AD/DA. Separate
AD and DA
converters of a
similar quality cost
a tad more, and yet it still has a whole
host of features to go, from the metering
and format conversion to the DAW
interfacing. Though a good quality
interface package at this price will get
you more channels, possibly some
preamps and DSP, we’ve never used
one with quite this level of sound
quality. The HiLo is a bit of an oddity,
but it’s one that should quickly fi nd
favour with a range of users.
Most of the buttons on the
touchscreen are large, and laid out
so that operation isn’t fi ddly
VERDICT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
VERSATILITY
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RESULTS
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The HiLo offers a unique blend of
features with an equally unique
price/quality ratio.
ALTERNATIVES
Lavry AD11 & DA11
£2,676
Both units have USB
connectivity, as well as the
AES, S/PDIF coax and
optical connections, and
possess pristine AD/DA
and signal path quality.
That said, they don’t offer
anything else.
www.lavryengineering.com
Benchmark ADC1
USB & DAC1
£2,219
On a par (apparently) with
the Lavry ‘black’ range, but
as separates they don’t
provide the system
solutions of the HiLo.
www.benchmarkmedia.com
Universal Audio
Apollo Duo
£2,149
More channels and features,
and comes with UAD DSP
power. Sounds better than
most interfaces, features
sample rate conversion for
the S/PDIF input, though not
quite as ‘mastering’ pristine
in the AD/DA department.
www.uaudio.com
FMU256.rev_lynx.indd 75 7/19/12 11:46 AM