SSL XLogic Alpha Link Madi Ax

MADI converter / ANALOG / ADAT / Expansion bus
And among 48 MADI outputs

24 in analog (D-Sub 25)
24 out analog (D-Sub 25)
3 Adat in (Toslink)
3 Adat out (Toslink)
64 channels on port expansion

Great possibilities of configuration bins 8 but there is a limitation or among 48 outputs to the MADI instead of 64 usually for this transfer standard.

NOTICE GLOBAL

How long have you use it?

I use since July 2008.

Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

I ttais for a station with Pro Tools HD3 among 24 analog I / O ... but it were not the same budget, and an interesting quality I opt for this system that goes into THAT 24/96, 24/192 and not as converters Pro Tools ...
In my case, I did not need to have a Pro Tools station, and no need to go up in 192Khz, so why invest in aggregate with the computer and packs Plugins that go 30,000 euros (in July 2008 ) ...dropoff window
Instead I opt for this converter system with RME MADI card for connection to the computer, a Mac Pro Octo 3.2 Gig, 16gig of RAM, 2 notches 26 '' a UAD1 eXtrem card and a Duende.
C'tait what was best in the era of plugins, all for 15,000 incl ...
I have not hesitated too long ...

What is the particular feature you like best and least?
What Drange me most is the somewhat complicated configuration of the converter ... as well as the fragility of optical fiber MADI when working like me moving ...
What I like most is the amount of I / O on a small area, the quality of the conversion is very correct and enough for me.

How do you report qualitprix?
Top Notch !!!

With experience, you do again this choice?
Yes, I realize that I will always make the same choice today ... 2 years later almost to the day !!!

2 rack units, conversion MADI A / D, D / A and ADAT.
24 analog inputs / outputs (2 x 3 x SUBD25) and 3 ADAT ports for a total of 48 I / O.
World clock, MADI and Mixpander
The AX model converts analog and ADAT and SX analog and AES / EBU.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year and a half (as analog / digital acquisition card).
Mac, driver installation poses no problems, install it and restart hop. For cons, the configuration is a bit special, via switches in frontage, but the settings are very quick to make. That said, once adjustments are made, there usually affects older (in my case).
The highlights are the presence of 24 I / O in a single rack and the quality of the conversion, very transparent, accurate and precise. To the signal level, ideally it must pass through the direct outputs a table (or subgroups) that are symmetrical, or through preamps (or by DI) for unbalanced sources. At the time of my purchase, some interfaces proposed equivalent, it is true that today some competing products such as Orion Antelope Audio offer a little more for a lower or equal price, but I do not go into in leapfrogging (I'm here to talk about the Alpha Link Madi AX).
During the comparative (my personal point of view), the Apogee seemed less faithful in providing whatever the sound, the Alpha Link seemed to have more punch too. I was (and still is for that matter) the opportunity to work on Orpheus Prismsound which seems a little more cold also (which does not detract from the quality of the card, after c ' is a matter of taste).
The technical support distributor pretty good reputation, which is a good point too, although I never had to use it.
All Alpha-Link MADI AX + Xtreme 64 (or 128) + cables SubD25/Jacks is quite high but it's pretty consistent.
I was looking for something reliable, loyal, with a good number of inputs / outputs and my choice was focused on this, which I do not regret at all.

The +:
The quality of the converters.
24 I / O + 24 analog I / O ADAT (I do not use them).
Manufacturing quality / design

The -:
The settings are made via switches on the front (it's a bit laborious if you only need to change the settings regularly).

This box converts the analog optical MADI (24 channels) and ADAT (24 channels or 3 ports) in both directions simultaneously, which makes us 48 inputs and 48 outputs. The analog inputs and outputs are via D-sub connectors 25, providing some welding work, or breakout cables for about 400 € and more.

It can be synchronized by the MADI in WC and video.

The conversion quality is excellent for the price.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for ten months without worries. The settings are a bit special, but when we realized, you get used to.

Technical support is friendly and responsive (they gave me helped out a bug that they were not responsible, is not it nice?), Although the ergonomics of the site is also improved.

I would do this choice without a second thought, the equivalent in being much more expensive competitors.