A16 Ultra USB 2.0? S-MUX? When? What's happening?

WayneSim · Post by **WayneSim** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 11:40 pm

I know there has been a lot of talk about the A16 Ultra. But when is the USB 2.0 support and the S-Mux card being released? I assume you will have to pay heaps for these options. Anyone know a release date or price?

I reason I ask is I own a classic Pulsar 2. It's almost time to consider a breakout box. BUT without these options I may need to buy a Luna Hammerfarm (expanded to use 2 Z-links) or a Pulsar Z-link expansion. But then again I might get a stardard Luna and Luna 2496 box. It would be alot cheaper and I'd get three more DSP's. But I still haven't decided.

My next question is: Is there much quailty difference between the A16 Ultra and the Luna 2496?...

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 5:34 am

I had a Luna card and two 2496's for a brief period late last year and then sold everything to upgrade to Pulsar/A16 Ultra.

The A16 has a slightly broader, more open sound quality to it than the 2496's but you would probably expect that considering the difference in price and features, right? Both units are clean yet warm sounding which is a common CW trait in all their products. Frankly, you can't go wrong with either choice so it's really up to you to decide but let me state something...

I never regretted dumping Luna. I thought it was a half-baked product. Pulsar was so much more robust. I didn't like the SPDIF mini-plug concept and they couldn't even get the STDM connectors to align with Pulsar/Scope. Kinda weird. Also, at the time, the Luna software was buggy as hell.

But I did like the 2496's. I mounted mine to a rack tray with velcro (side-by-side). Looked cool in the rack. Ran cool. Power supplied by Luna card so no wall-warts. And I think the RCA connectors are a great long-term reliable connection design - better than 1/4 inch plugs (IMHO)

The A16 uses balanced I/O's. That may be important to you.

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 6:11 am

Luna is still very good nowaday. With sfp istead of luna software it's better also. And for those with Pulsar1 (or any 1st generation) it allow us to use lower ULLI settings. And if you don't use the spdif (cuz i agree that it is weak with minijack) every thing else is same as pulsar. For those stdm cable that don't align, i don't give a damn. Won't change the sound

Anyway, luna now with sfp is of great great value... Just compare with Audigy platinum for example, same price range, but what a list of feature compared to it! Wouldn't let go my Luna exept for something bigger (pulsar2 or scope?) hey hey...

I also have the luna io box, this one's great for sure. Even if a let go the luna, i'll always keep the breakout box, even if i ever get a A16 (which i doubt, just because i don't need it).

orbita · Post by **orbita** » Mon Jun 24, 2002 4:38 am

waynesim, your pulsar classic has 2 adat connections that you can use to connect to the A16. The only advantage the zlink offers is 96khz which halfs your available dsp and is really not noticeably better.

Chrisznix · Post by **Chrisznix** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 11:09 am

Hi!
Just another question about the A16:
Did anyone notice that if you send any good old normed 0dB (about 1,5V) to the A16 you won´t get more than 1 or two LEDs blinking, means the dB-meter on the A16 isn´t correct.
I´ve tested two devices, but anyone please confirm this if you can.
Chris

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 11:40 am

Chris you need to set the dip switches on the back of the A16 Ultra correctly for +4 or -10 signals. 0dB signals on -10 from my synths show correctly on the meters here!