Apogee AD-16X User manual

Introducing the Apogee X-Series.
Simply the best converters ever made... bar none.
The AD-16X and the DA-16X, Apogee’s latest and
most advanced conversion systems, take the leg-
endary quality of Apogee a huge step forward. Features
such as a redesigned power supply, standard 192kHz
sampling rates, the C777 clocking technology found
in Big Ben, and optional Pro Tools HD and FireWire
expansion cards, make the AD & DA-16X the most
powerful and fl exible conversion combination ever. And,
not only does the X-Series hardware offer unequaled,
groundbreaking technology but it makes it available at
a fraction of the cost associated with previous, premium
Apogee gear.
Advanced High-Defi nition Conversion
The most critical component in the digital recording
environment is proper, high-quality conversion and
since the dawn of digital recording the most desired
converters have been made by Apogee. With up to
192k standard sample rates, the AD & DA-16X combine
Apogee’s legendary conversion quality with the very
latest in high-defi nition digital to provide unrivaled fl ex-
ibility and quality.
Redesigned Power Supply
Enabling optimum conversion requires a state of the
art power supply. The fully redesigned power system
of the AD & DA-16X incorporates a specially designed
Synchronous Switching power supply that works in con-
junction with Apogee’s very stable low jitter clock and
fi ltering technology to provide superior heat and noise
performance and an improved transient response over
our previous linear power supply. This creates a power
system that delivers total effi ciency and provides an
ideal environment for premium conversion.
Redesigned Analog Section
Incorporated in the AD & DA-16X are the very latest de-
velopments in Apogee’s groundbreaking analog circuit
design. Through sophisticated implementation and op-
timal confi guration, the selection of premium, contem-
porary opamps allows the X-Series to deliver conversion
performance never before heard, while maintaining the
signature Apogee sound: Clear, transparent, focused
and punchy.
C777 Clocking used by Big Ben
The AD & DA 16-X use Apogee’s C777 clocking technol-
ogy. Famous for keeping Big Ben on time, the C777 uti-
lizes an entirely digital process that Apogee has devel-
oped with the most advanced Direct Digital Synthesis
(DDS) technology and DSP-based digital fi ltering. With
a stable, crystal based digital PLL handling the clocking,
AD-16X and DA-16X are able to intelligently manipulate
incoming signals and adapt to them accordingly. The
result? The most aggressive jitter reduction ever and an
astonishing and noticeable difference in sound quality.
Connect Directly to Pro Tools HD or any
FireWire Enabled Computer
Like their cousin the Rosetta 800, the AD & DA-16X
offer an expansion card slot that greatly increases con-
nectivity possibilities. Add an optional X-Series HD card
and connect AD & DA-16X directly to your computer via
your HD Core Card. Using Logic, Nuendo or any of the
many native DAW’s? Add an X-FireWire card to your X-
Series hardware and enjoy a direct, extremely low laten-
cy connection that supports FireWire 800 standards and
has backwards compatibility with 400 standards. And, if
you are buying multiple units, you can daisy chain up to
a whopping 120 channels with incredibly low latency.
SoftLimit: Maximize Levels, Minimize Overs
One of the greatest diffi culties in digital recording is
getting an adequate level without clipping and un-
wanted distortion. Soft Limit is an analog peak limiter
that enables the capture of an additional 4-6 dB of level
without going into an ‘over’ condition. Short of purchas-
ing a very expensive stand-alone compressor/limiter,
there is currently no product on the market that handles
this process better than SoftLimit.
UV22HR: Dither Down with 24-bit Detail
UV22HR is Apogee´s industry standard technology for
reducing the word-length of a high-resolution digital
signal to 16 bits for the CD mastering. UV22HR is also
being employed to produce dramatically improved
internet and computer audio content without increased
fi le sizes or data rates. It is estimated that 8 out of
10 hit records are mastered using Apogee’s UV22HR
technology.
High Performance Output
The DA-16X uses Apogee’s newly developed electroni-
cally balanced line drivers. Originally designed for the
Mini-DAC, these line drivers are able to simulate true
transformer behavior. The circuitry is an ultra low output
impedance, high current driver, capable of running
levels up to 26 dBu to the most complex or low imped-
ance loads. Recording studios utilizing vintage audio-
equipment will fi nd this particularly valuable. Ultimately,
the output performance of the DA-16X achieves perfect
symmetry when used in balanced mode (even with an
unsymmetrical load) and no increased distortion when
used unbalanced.
16 Channel, 24bit/192kHz, A/D & D/A Conversion System
AD-16X Features
• 16 channels of premium 24-bit A/D conversion
• Sample rates up to 192k
• 16 channels of AES, ADAT/SMUX Output
• Word Clock I/O
• Optional HD card for direct connection to ProTools HD
• Optional S800 FireWire card capable of sample rates up to 192k, compatible with OS
X/Windows XP and all popular DAW’s
• All option cards (X-FireWire and X-HD) facilitate connection of multiple units
• “Soft Limit” for maximum digital level without overs
(can be applied to a single channel or all channels)
• “UV22HR” for superior dither of high resolution audio to 16-bit
(can be applied to a channel pair or all channels)
• Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) using Big Ben’s C777 Clock Technology up to 192kHz
• Adaptive Loop Filtering (ALF) for optimum clock performance and minimum jitter
• Support for AES double wire and SMUX formats
• Post A/D conversion level monitoring
• Intuitive front panel calibration
• Word Clock termination switch
DA-16X Features
• 16 channels of premium 24-bit D/A conversion
• Sample rates up to 192k
• 16 channels of AES, ADAT/SMUX Input
• Word Clock I/O
• Optional HD card for direct connection to ProTools HD
• Optional S800 FireWire card capable of sample rates up to 192k, compatible with
OS X, and Windows XP and all popular DAW’s
• All option cards (X-FireWire and X-HD) facilitate connection of multiple units
• Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) using Big Ben’s C777 Clock Technology up to 192kHz
• Adaptive Loop Filtering (ALF) for optimum clock performance and minimum jitter
• Support for AES double wire and SMUX formats
• Intuitive front panel calibration
• Word Clock termination switch

Featuring X-Series Expansion Cards for direct connectivity with:
ProTools | HD and all other popular DAW’s via FireWire
THE APOGEE X-SERIES
APOGEE ELECTRONICS CORP.
3145 Donald Douglas Loop South
Santa Monica, CA 90404
For more info:
Call: 310 915.1000
www.apogeedigital.com
Specifi cations
AD-16X DA-16X
Inputs:
• Analog in 1-8 Balanced, DSUB 25pin connector
• Analog in 9-16 Balanced, DSUB 25pin connector
• WC in: BNC 75 ohm with switchable termination
Outputs:
• AES-EBU out x 8, transformer balanced, DSUB 25pin connector
(192k single wide compatible)
• Optical: toslink x 4, supporting ADAT and SMUX protocol
• WC out: BNC 75 ohm
Expansion Slot:
• One x-type card can be installed, for FireWire, HD and or other
future format connectivity.
Specs:
• Sample rates internal: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192k
• Sample rates external: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192k +/- 10%
• Frequency response at 44.1 k : 5 - 20.000 Hz (+/- .2 dB)
• Analog levels: 6 to 24dBu max through digital gain adjustment.
(Compatible with -10dBV levels)
• THD+N: -110 dB
• Dynamic range: 120 dB A weighted
• Power: 100 -240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz, 65 Watt
Inputs:
• AES-EBU in x 8, transformer balanced, DSUB 25pin connector
(192k single wide compatible)
• Optical: toslink x 4, supporting ADAT and SMUX protocol
• WC in: BNC 75 ohm with switchable termination
Outputs:
• WC out: BNC 75 ohm
• Analog out 1-8 Balanced, DSUB 25pin connector.
• Analog out 9-16 Balanced, DSUB 25pin connector.
Expansion Slot:
• One x-type card can be installed, for FireWire, HD and or other
future format connectivity.
Specs:
• Sample rates internal: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192k
• Sample rates external: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192k +/- 10%
• Frequency response at 44.1 k : 5 - 20.000 Hz (+/- 0.2 dB)
• Analog levels: 6 to 24dBu max through digital gain adjustment.
(Compatible with -10dBV levels)
• THD+N: -107 dB
• Dynamic range: 118 dB A weighted
• Power: 100 -240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz, 65 Watt
AD-16X REAR PANEL
DA-16X REAR PANEL
Due to on-going development Apogee reserves the right to change all information and specifi cations without notice.
© 2003 Apogee Electronics Corporation. All trademarks herein are property of their respective holders.
Doc: ADDA16X_DS, FEB/04 • PRINTED IN USA
16 Channel, 24bit/192kHz,
A/D & D/A Conversion System