ADAT interface hosts, high SQ but cheaper than RME Digiface USB?

[john61ct]

I am looking for an interface "hub" based on multiple ADAT, clean and transparent. I'm not recording / mixing, just for recreational home DSP - crossovers timing delays / phase alignment tuning

Happy to buy secondhand to save money, vintage discontinued no problem.

24-bit, 44.1 / 48kHz is fine, higher NP

must accept at least 3x ADAT 8ch A/D line-level analog I/O converters like Behringer Ultragain ADA8200 (or better?)

I am ultimately looking for 20+ I/O analog channels altogether, 4+ in, 16 out, Combo bal / SE 1/4" ports, ideally Neutrik accepting XLR as well. possibility of growing to 30+ FFR as RME Digiface offers, would be ideal

Must act as master word clock

1-2 mic preamps in the interface hub would be a plus, in case the ADAT I/O converters are "pure line-level" only.

USB preferred or modern PCIe is OK

not PCI nor firewire (unless can be one-time programmable to work standalone, routing preserved after power cycling)

Any constructive feedback, corrections of my misconceptions would be most welcome.

Relevant

As good value for PC I/O as Echo Audiofire 12 ?

Total interface noob here, please ELI5 I don't need to record or mix music in the creative sense, just looking to get multi-channel analog in and out of HTPC type hardware. Primary use case is DIY convolving, loudness contour, bass management, room correction PEQ. The Echo Audiofire 12 unit...

www.audiosciencereview.com

ISO ECHO Darla, Mona, Gina or Layla-24 host adapter cards & cables

From the interface vendor ECHO, specifically the PCI bus (or Cardbus!) cards shipped with the above 24-bit interfaces, also the DB-9 cables Anyone have one or more of these? not those compatible with the OG previous 20-bit versions, nor the later "3G" models. The breakout boxen are commonly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

relevant breakout box, still looking for cheapish ADAT interface, ideally Linux / RPi5 compatible

Yamaha AD824 Converter AD input only

Looking for, with the MY8-TD ADAT version 8-port Mini-YGDAI Expansion Card what I've gathered not an interface, just "breakout box" converter, in my case I'll need an interface with ADAT inputs, e.g. RME Digiface USB zero digital outputs on its own Usually the included Mini-YGDAI Expansion...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

Still thinking of using RME Digiface USB as master interface, USB makes things so much better than PCIe, much less Firewire, PCMCIA / Cardbus or PCI (pre PCIe).

If only they turned up cheaper on eBay!

Rather than a separate thead for ADAT "analog breakout" hardware expansion converter boxen, figured I'll start comparing them here, all feedback welcome!

Looking for units that are cheap per port, secondhand discontinued NP.

No interface to PC / RPi required, but OK, even legacy connection types.

However they must feature "standalone converter mode", I suppose requiring a one-time setup session is OK, so long as they are CHEAP and the configuration survives power cycling.

44.1/48 kHz is fine, I do want 8-port bandwidth per ADAT line.

No preamps at all is preferred. BNC word clocking in/out master/slave is a must.

More ports supported per converter box the better, 24 is ideal for outputs

If inputs only (e.g. Yamaha AD824 is AD-only) then 8-port is plenty.

Support per port for consumer RCA voltages would be ideal, don't mind buying physical adapters. Don't mind "Euro" terminator blocks either even DB-25 if cheap enough.

As a base standard for comparison, Behringer 8200, although it only supports 8-ports in & out and is notorious for (audibly?) low SQ

goes for under $10/port so buy cheap enough maybe just to get by while waiting for better SQ units to show up on eBay.

 

[john61ct]

Units suggested by Google, to be investigated, comments welcome.

Note that 1/4" TRS can accept SE natively via RCA to TS bullet adapter jacks


MOTU 2408 Mk1 but 20-bit max, MkII is 24-bit, outputs balanced

Fostex VC-8

Creamware A16 Ultra – 16 analog I/O, great high SQ rep

Alesis HD24 – 24 analog I/O

Alesis AI3, 8ch

Alesis io|26, 8ch, selectable line-level bypass

Alesis ADAT LX20, only 8ch but 3U!


Frontier Design Tango24, 8ch

Swissonic ADAT24 / DA24, 8ch


M-Audio Profire Lightbridge

...

Google reco'd Echo AudioFire 12 for great high SQ rep

but my understanding is, connection to Firewire host is required every bootup to load firmware + routing config.

As good value for PC I/O as Echo Audiofire 12 ?

Total interface noob here, please ELI5 I don't need to record or mix music in the creative sense, just looking to get multi-channel analog in and out of HTPC type hardware. Primary use case is DIY convolving, loudness contour, bass management, room correction PEQ. The Echo Audiofire 12 unit...

www.audiosciencereview.com