Lavry Engineering - Lavry Gold - AD122-96MkIII

• AVAILABILITY/DELIVERY: On Order/usually 10 days

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This Extrem quality Lavry AD Converter converts analog signals to a true 24-bit digital audio data stream. Consistently used for many of today's top recordings, Lavry Engineering AD converter - AD122-96MKIII features -127dB dynamic range (unweighted), providing optimum musical results.

Features

• 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz and 44.1kHz conversion frequencies
• Unequalied detail and performance
• True -127dB noise floor
• 0.00005% Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
• Conversion to 24 bits
• Built-in Acoustic Bit Correction re-dithering to 16-20 bit formats
• Switchable digital soft-knee limiter, +3 or +6dB gain
• Precision reference meter bridge
• Fully programmable digital test tones for system alignment
• AES and word clock external synchronization 40-51kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
• DC removal
• Absolute Polarity Inversion
• Multi-converter synchronization

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SPECIFICATIONS
for Lavry Engineering - Lavry Gold - AD122-96 Mk3

 

• Analog Inputs:
  The analog signal can be amplified by 0-12dB utilizing the front panel screw adjust trim pots. Fullscale
  signal with 0dB gain is 24dBu, (full-scale signal with 12dB gain is 12dBu).
  Input impedance over 0-100 kHz: greater than 20k ohm (pin 2 to pin 3).

• Noise Floor at 44.1-48KHz sampling:
  -130dB ±1dB from full scale A weighted
  -126dB ±0.5dB from full scale unweighted

• Noise Floor at 96KHz sampling:
  -127dB ±1dB from full scale A weighted
  -123dB ±1dB from full scale unweighted.
  
  Notes:
  1. Measuring noise floor with unconnected (opened) inputs may yield erroneous results.
  Unconnected high impedance inputs may pick up unwanted signals.
  2. Care must be exercised when measuring the noise floor. The signal applied to the converter
  must be lower then the noise floor. Ordinary relays and switches may leak too much signal, and it
  may be necessary to move a test tone signal to frequency above Nyquist (approx. 30KHz).

• Output Bits:  16 to 24 bits, user selectable.
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise:
  (Specified for 22-24 Bits output, balanced inputs)
  
  0.00005% for signals lower than -40dBF
  0.0004% for signals lower than -20dBF
  0.0008% for signals lower than -6dBF
  0.0012% for full scale signals

• Channel Separation: Greater than 120dB (0-20KHz)
• Sync. Inputs:
  XLR connector:  AES/EBU levels into 110 Ohms for digital audio or TTL level into 110 Ohms
  word clocclockTTL k
  BNC connector:  level word

• A.C. Power:
  90-264 VAC @ 47-63Hz , Fuses 0.5A Slow 250V Fuse Size 0.25inch x 1.25 inch
  The power supply automatically adjusts to AC inputs in the range of 90 to 264 volts at line frequencies
  between 47 and 63 Hz. It is not necessary to change any settings. The voltage selector in the power
  input module on the back panel is wired to work properly in either position. Thus, either the “115V” or
  “230V” legend can be visible and the unit will work properly with any input in the rated operating
  range (the legend is visible through a small “window” and is white lettering on a red background).

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DOWNLOADS
for Lavry Engineering - Lavry Gold - AD122-96 Mk3

• Lavry AD122-96 Mk3 User Manual - for more detailed specifications refer to manual. You can download it → HERE
  

 

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INPUT CONSIDERATION
for Lavry Engineering - Lavry Gold - AD122-96 Mk3

Achieving 20 or more bits of resolution places a heavy demand on the linearity and noise of analog signals prior to the A/D conversion.

Linearity: Linearity problems (typically associated with larger signals) should be avoided to prevent overall signal distortions. Proper circuit design places non linear devices inside a negative feedback path, thus allowing the transfer function to depend on a few linear component (such as resistor ratio). Closer examination reveals that the effectiveness of negative feedback is limited by the open loop gain of the amplifier (the available gain prior to the feedback action). Constructing a 10dB gain stage out of, say, a 50dB open loop amplifier provides 40dB of feedback; thus circuit nonlinearities are corrected for by a factor of 100. A 1% nonlinearity reduces to a .01% level. The same stage, when set to a gain of 20dB, yields only 50-20=30dB of "linearizing power"; thus the same 1% circuit nonlinearity is corrected to 1/31.6 = .03%. The "obvious" solution of increasing circuit open loop gain is riddled with problems ranging from impulse response settling time to loss of bandwidth.

Noise: The quantization (A/D conversion) of analog noise causes loss of fine signal detail. The quantized noise introduces time varying signal dependent distortions. Such sample by sample deviation can not be compared to the seemingly "constant" analog background noise. The interaction between the noise and the quantization process effects the sonic detail at much higher amplitude than the noise level itself. The source material may have its own noise level, but the A/D manufacturer is in no position to decide which part of the material is signal and which part is noise. (Is it undesirable noise or is it the intentional recording of the wind blowing through the trees?) Thus, any signal must be reproduced accurately. All we can do, and all we should do amounts to avoiding additional A/D noise. A/D noise consists of two parts: analog noise (prior to quantization), and quantization noise. The quantization noise level is "fixed" by the converter itself. Model AD122-96 MKIII quantization noise relative full scale is about 122dBFS. Keeping complete system noise level at 122dBFS requires careful treatment of the analog path. Each circuit component (especially resistors and semiconductors) generates its own noise. The complex electron motion within the various materials adds up to a cumulative noise. Intentional amplification of signals yields undesirable amplification of noise. Once again, each dB of added gain takes away a dB from the available dynamic range.

AD122-96 MKIII Input Range: You may suspect by now that Lavry's aim is to provide you with an A/D converter and leave the problem of providing a "hot" signal at the hands of microphone and mic- preamplifier manufacturers. Like many A/D's, Model AD122-96 MKIII provides limited gain (0-11.5dB). There are 4 methods for analog input signal interconnection:
 

• 1. Balanced/ grounded shield
• 2. Balanced/ floating shield
• 3. Unbalanced/ grounded shield
• 4. Unbalanced/ floating shield.

Grounded shield: analog cable shield is connected pin 1 of the XLR at both ends of the cable driver end and A/D end. Floating shield: analog cable shield is connected pin 1 of the XLR only at the driver end of cable. The shield is floating at the A/D side (not connected to pin 1).

Note: Much information is available regarding proper shielding. The well known book "Grounding And Shielding in Instrumentation" by Ralph Morrison provides an excellent explanation of the subject and points out clearly that the floating shield connection is the correct configuration. Engineers using the grounded configuration with 16- 17 bit systems may wish to reevaluating their interconnections for 20 bit systems.
 

• 1. Balanced input with floating shield: The unit handles up to 24dBu of peak signal with available 0-11.5dB of front panel gain adjustment.
• 2. Balanced input with grounded shield: The unit handles up to 24dBu of peak signal with available 0-11.5dB of front panel gain adjustment
• 3. Unbalanced input with floating shield: The unit handles up to 24dBu of peak signal with available 0-11.5dB of front panel gain adjustment
• 4. Unbalanced input with grounded shield: The unit handles up to 20dBu of peak signal. This configuration requires a minimum gain of 4dB. The front panel gain range is 4 -11.5dB.

Comments: The first three configurations operate over the same range. Little attenuation is required in processing of a 24dBu signal (34.72V peak to peak) with Lavry +/- 17.5V supply rails. The unbalanced grounded configuration requires too much attenuation thus Lavry set a limit for maximum input signal of 20dBu. The scaling factor between balanced and unbalanced connection is 1:1. There is no loss in amplitude (no 6dB attenuation for unbalanced connection).

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