This is a review and detailed measurements of the Lynx Hilo 2 Audio Interface (ADC & DAC). It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $4,139 ($3,599 as tested).
As you see, the unit sports a large, touch sensitive display. Alas, I find the design both dated and unrefined. I was hoping that the oversized display would make it easier to find options and manipulated them but it is not. Granted, most pro gear is the same way but the competitor displays are much smaller. As a pro that would use this as a tool, I guess you will get used to it. But for me as a reviewer, it was still somewhat of a challenge.
On plugging into my Windows 11, I did not see the OS discovering it. I went to drivers for the device and was surprised that the last update for Windows 11 was 2019! There are much newer versions but are for newer interfaces such as Thunderbolt which is available for this unit, but not the version I tested:
The newer drivers had ASIO but the 2019 did not. So I had to use ASIO4ALL emulation to test the unit. This generally worked but when I got to the multitone test at 192 kHz sampling, the unit would simply not produce the test tone no matter what I did. A power cycle was required to get it to work. Later in testing, it hung ASIO4ALL which can happen. But later, it hung so bad that it crashed the AP software. I just can't imagine why an ASIO driver is not provided if you use the USB interface as configured.
For testing, I focused on Line In, Line Out and Headphone Output.
Lynx HILO 2 DAC Measurements
I adjusted the volume for 4 volts output and got very good results, especially in distortion deptartment:
While not competitive with state of the art consumer DACs, it produced the highest SINAD of any audio interface I have tested:
Better performance is to be had if you let the level max out at ~7.7 volts:
It is easy to see that SINAD is dominated by noise:
The ultra low distortion turns in excellent numbers in our intermodulation test:
As well as 50 Hz into 600 ohm:
Linearity is almost perfect:
Jitter shows inaudible but notable low frequency jitter spikes around our main tone:
If I were to guess, I would say it is created by the microprocessor/display.
Multiple filters are provided. I tested the default:
Given the excellent attenuation at > 24 kHz, our wideband distortion+noise vs frequency turns in excellent results:
Lynx Hilo 2 ADC Measurement
For ADC, I maximized the input until I was close to clipping:
This ranks at the top of our class as well:
I think the spec is 120 dB but that is with some other test conditions.
Same excellent performance is provided across full audible frequency range:
Dynamic range is naturally input level dependent:
IMD test shows some of the best results we have seen:
We have a bit of "ESS IMD Hump" which I had not seen in ADCs.
Frequency response is flat in audible band and of course, sample rate dependent:
Lynx Hilo 2 Headphone Amplifier Measurements
I was glad I tested the headphone output at two different volume settings as there seems to be an internal automatic gain limiter:
I didn't expect to see clipping at lower gain. Still, I take the results as headphone output with some exceptions is usually poor in audio interfaces.
Performance is especially good with low impedance loads:
Noise performance is not good though so stay with less sensitive headphones:
Conclusions
The Hilo 2 turns in some of the best numbers we have seen in audio interfaces across the board. On the other hand, it still misses the mark relative to consumer DACs on noise front. Its user interface and driver support need updating in my opinion.
I am going to recommend the Lynx Hilo 2 even though I am personally not fond of it.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
As you see, the unit sports a large, touch sensitive display. Alas, I find the design both dated and unrefined. I was hoping that the oversized display would make it easier to find options and manipulated them but it is not. Granted, most pro gear is the same way but the competitor displays are much smaller. As a pro that would use this as a tool, I guess you will get used to it. But for me as a reviewer, it was still somewhat of a challenge.
On plugging into my Windows 11, I did not see the OS discovering it. I went to drivers for the device and was surprised that the last update for Windows 11 was 2019! There are much newer versions but are for newer interfaces such as Thunderbolt which is available for this unit, but not the version I tested:
The newer drivers had ASIO but the 2019 did not. So I had to use ASIO4ALL emulation to test the unit. This generally worked but when I got to the multitone test at 192 kHz sampling, the unit would simply not produce the test tone no matter what I did. A power cycle was required to get it to work. Later in testing, it hung ASIO4ALL which can happen. But later, it hung so bad that it crashed the AP software. I just can't imagine why an ASIO driver is not provided if you use the USB interface as configured.
For testing, I focused on Line In, Line Out and Headphone Output.
Lynx HILO 2 DAC Measurements
I adjusted the volume for 4 volts output and got very good results, especially in distortion deptartment:
While not competitive with state of the art consumer DACs, it produced the highest SINAD of any audio interface I have tested:
Better performance is to be had if you let the level max out at ~7.7 volts:
It is easy to see that SINAD is dominated by noise:
The ultra low distortion turns in excellent numbers in our intermodulation test:
As well as 50 Hz into 600 ohm:
Linearity is almost perfect:
Jitter shows inaudible but notable low frequency jitter spikes around our main tone:
If I were to guess, I would say it is created by the microprocessor/display.
Multiple filters are provided. I tested the default:
Given the excellent attenuation at > 24 kHz, our wideband distortion+noise vs frequency turns in excellent results:
Lynx Hilo 2 ADC Measurement
For ADC, I maximized the input until I was close to clipping:
This ranks at the top of our class as well:
I think the spec is 120 dB but that is with some other test conditions.
Same excellent performance is provided across full audible frequency range:
Dynamic range is naturally input level dependent:
IMD test shows some of the best results we have seen:
We have a bit of "ESS IMD Hump" which I had not seen in ADCs.
Frequency response is flat in audible band and of course, sample rate dependent:
Lynx Hilo 2 Headphone Amplifier Measurements
I was glad I tested the headphone output at two different volume settings as there seems to be an internal automatic gain limiter:
I didn't expect to see clipping at lower gain. Still, I take the results as headphone output with some exceptions is usually poor in audio interfaces.
Performance is especially good with low impedance loads:
Noise performance is not good though so stay with less sensitive headphones:
Conclusions
The Hilo 2 turns in some of the best numbers we have seen in audio interfaces across the board. On the other hand, it still misses the mark relative to consumer DACs on noise front. Its user interface and driver support need updating in my opinion.
I am going to recommend the Lynx Hilo 2 even though I am personally not fond of it.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
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