Prism Dream ADA-8 with 8 Analog D/A and 4+4 AES3 Digital I/O

Eight channels of high-quality 24-bit, 96kHz, D/A conversion;

Flexible digital interfacing options: AES3 (2-speed or 2-wire), TDIF, ADAT, SDIF, with more to come;

Dedicated interface modules for popular workstations;

Built-in Prism Sound ‘SNS’ noise-shapers for ultimate 16-bit reductions;

Built-in Prism Sound ‘MR-X’ word-mapping for lossless recording up to 24-bit, 96kHz on standard DA-88 or ADAT MDMs, or other 16 or 20-bit media;

Built-in Prism Sound ‘DRE’ function gives 24-bit performance on 16-bit media WITHOUT sacrificing tracks;

Stereo monitor, with headphones and analogue AND digital line outputs, can monitor any input or output pair, or a panned stereo mix of all eight channels;

Electronically balanced, transformerless, galvanically isolated XLR analogue inputs and outputs ensure freedom from noise pick-up and crosstalk, with software-controlled balance and line-up;

Ultimate Prism Sound clock-stability and jitter-rejection for crystal-clear imaging, with independent multiple PLLs for A/D and D/A paths;

Prism Sound ‘Over-killer’ selectable on analogue inputs: the best-sounding gentle limiting for louder masters – with no ‘overs’;

Intuitive user interface, provides fast access to all I/O and processing functions; with continuous display of all settings;

Versatile eight-channel LED bargraph / status monitor can access all points in A/D or D/A signal paths;

Expandable DSP ‘processing’ module in each path;

All signal processing functions can be also be carried out in ‘D-D’ mode, including conversion between different interface formats;

Modular construction allows upgrading of all input and output cards (INCLUDING A/D, D/A, and DSP boards); no need to worry about future converter advances or new interface standards;

Internet-upgradeable software – loads from your PC serial port into ‘flash’ memory inside the ADA-8;

Analogue Inputs and Outputs:

The analogue front- and back-ends of the AD-8 have been engineered to a level of quality and functionality previously only found on our flagship AD-2 and DA-2 converters: Analogue input and output sensitivity (and inter-channel balance) are software-adjustable over the entire range with 0.05dB resolution. Inputs and outputs are transformerless, electronically balanced and galvanically isolated (fully floating), to ensure freedom from noise pick-up and crosstalk. Standard XLR connectors are used throughout.

The Prism Sound ‘Over-killer’ function is now included as an option on every input: switch in the Over-killer, and a gentle and progressive limiter guards the input of the A/D converter. The Over-killer soaks up momentary transients, allowing you to raise the level of your master.

Of particular importance in both the A/D and D/A sections is the ability of the ADA-8 to avoid the unpleasant effects of jitter. Independent, ultra-stable, multi-stage PLLs feature unrivalled jitter-attenuation and rock-steady clock generation and recovery, guaranteeing a perfect stereo or surround image – whatever the clock source.

Digital Interfaces:

The ADA-8 has two digital I/O module slots into which a variety of modules can be fitted, including AES3 (2-speed or 2-wire), TDIF, ADAT, SDIF with more to follow. This modularity will allow the ADA8 to deal with new interface standards as they appear. Obviously, since two different digital I/O modules can be fitted, multi format I/O and format conversion are possible.

Dedicated, direct-interfacing modules are available for popular workstations; by fitting another digital I/O module into the second slot, the ADA-8 can provide digital as well as analogue interfaces to your workstation.

Processing Functions:

A versatile array of processing options are available, which can be applied ‘in-line’ with the A/D or D/A conversion paths, or during transfers between digital inputs and outputs (‘D-D’ mode).

The four tried-and-tested Super-Noise-Shaping (‘SNS’) curves are extended to include optimal shaping for the higher sampling rates. The SNS process gives greatly-improved small-signal performance for limited word-lengths, such as CD, and is completely compatible with existing D/A converter products (including consumer and professional CD players).

The MR-X processor is a word-mapper which allows flexible use of multiple 16-bit (or 20-bit) tracks for high-precision recording. For example, MR-X allows six 20-bit or four 24-bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz, tracks to be stored on a standard DA-88 or ADAT tape. Alternatively, MR-X can record stereo 24-bit, 96kHz on the same standard tape, without any data compression. The MR-X format is the most versatile and popular word mapping format, and has been in use worldwide since 1994. Many of the world’s top mastering facilities can accept MR-X format tapes.

The popular DRE function is retained from the AD-124 and AD-2: this allows you to make 24-bit quality recordings on 16-bit recorders such as DAT, but without sacrificing tracks. The DRE (Dynamic Range Enhanced) process must be decoded on playback but, unlike conventional dynamic-range processing, does not compress or add HF noise.

An additional DSP processing module is incorporated to allow future software ‘plug-in’ options.  An early upgrade is planned to incorporate an eight-channel version of the acclaimed Synchronous Sample-Rate Converter from the AD-2.

Stereo Monitor:

The fully-featured stereo monitor section can be switched to either the A/D or D/A path, pre- or post- processing. The monitor has  ‘cut’, ‘invert’, ‘mono’ and ‘swap’ buttons and a volume control.

As well as a front-panel headphone jack, the ADA-8 stereo monitor feeds a pair of line-level analogue outputs and an AES3 digital output on the rear of the unit. These may be programmed to be fed pre- or post- the volume control. As well as monitoring simple channel-pairs, a stereo monitor mix can be set up with panned and level-adjusted contributions from all channels.

User Interface:

It’s not always easy to operate equipment with multiple channels and many functions. Neither a ‘menu for everything’ or a ‘button for everything’ approach is ideal.

The ADA-8 has an intuitive front panel, which shows the status of all major functions continuously, including a routeing display with a clear indication of all stages of the signal path. Each function or stage has an ‘access’ button which takes the menu display straight to the menu for that function.  The result: instant access to any control.

For ‘per-channel’ indications, an eight channel bargraph / status display can be assigned to either the A/D or D/A path, pre- or post- processing. Meter assignment and modes can be switched with a single key.

In normal operation, the power and flexibility of the ADA-8 is realised through the Configuration Stores. A wide range of factory and user stores, with descriptions, can be quickly browsed and recalled. The entire configuration of the ADA-8 can be switched from task to task in an instant.

Modularity:

Digital audio sampling rates, word lengths and formats are always on the move. Home delivery and surround formats are in flux. New formats and interfaces vie for acceptance. Better and better converter chips and DSPs are evolving. Today’s state-of the-art box can become tomorrow’s doorstop.

With the ADA-8, the risk is minimised since all of the major system components are field-upgradeable; this applies to the A/D and D/A boards as well as the digital I/O modules. The unit’s firmware is held in FLASH memory which can be upgraded by connecting the ADA-8 to a PC. Even the DSP engine is an upgradeable module, so the power of tomorrow’s DSPs can be harnessed with a firmware upgrade from the web.

This modularity brings other benefits. If you don’t need the D/As, don’t buy them – you can have 16 channels of A/D instead if you need them. Or vice-versa. Or perhaps you need four digital I/O modules but no converters?  With the Prism Sound ADA-8 the choice is yours.

Technical Specification:

Analogue Inputs:Transformerless electronically-balanced XLR inputs with software-adjustable line-up level (0dBFS = +5dBu to +24dBu in 0.5dB steps, per-channel software-adjustable trim in 0.05dB steps) Dynamic range: 112dB typical, rms unweighted, measured at -60dBFS THD+n: -105dB (0.0004%) typical, rms unweighted at -1.0dBFS Over-killer function provides soft-knee limiting preventing converter overload up to 12dB beyond nominal full-scale DA-88-compatible DB25 connector option availableAnalogue Outputs and Analogue Monitor Outputs:Transformerless electronically-balanced XLR outputs with software-adjustable line-up level (0dBFS = +5dBu to +24dBu in 0.5dB steps, per-channel software-adjustable trim in 0.05dB steps) Dynamic range: 110dB typical, rms unweighted, measured at -60dBFS THD+n: -104dB (0.0004%) typical, rms unweighted at -1.0dBFS DA-88-compatible DB25 connector option availableDigital I/O Modules:AES3/4XLR-F input module provides eight channels or four in two-wire mode
AES3/4XLR-M output module provides eight channels or four in two-wire mode
AES3/DB25 I/O module with external XLR ‘squid’ provides eight I/O channels or four channels in two-wire mode (fit two modules for eight-channel two-wire I/O)
TDIF/DB25 (DA-88) module provides eight I/O channels
Lightpipe (ADAT) module provides eight I/O channels
SDIF2/DB25 provides eight I/O channels (IF88-SD compatible connector)
Workstation module in /S or /D variants with dedicated SCSI-3 connectorsNote:Format conversion and processing possible between any of the above modules Split96 processing function provides two-wire AES I/O, but also works with any other I/O format to allow 96/88.2kHz high-rate recording on 48/44.1kHz recorders

Signal Processing Functions:Dithering and Super-Noise-Shaping (choice of four SNS curves) MR-X encoding and decoding (word-mapping for extended resolution recording on 16-bit and 20-bit media) DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement) encoding and decoding for extended dynamic range on 16-bit and 20-bit media without loss of tracks Synchronous sampling-rate-conversion, between any two of 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz and 32kHz (future software upgrade)Synchronization:Internal: 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz or 32kHz
Ref sync inputs: AES11 (XLR or coaxial), Wordclock, Video
Ref sync outputs: AES11, Wordclock
Note: converter paths can operate sync’ed to external reference but at a different sampling rate