RME Introduces The ADI-8 8-Channel AD/DA Converter At Paris AES Show

May 16, 2006

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At AES RME debuts the ADI-8 QS, a new highly flexible and fully featured 8-channel AD/DA converter. The device combines excellent analog circuit design with outstanding low latency AD/DA converter chips. Along with SteadyClock, the QS surely redefines the reference class of analog/digital converters. The compact 19"/ 1U device has a host of extraordinary features, including analog and digital limiters, 4 hardware reference levels up to +24 dBu, AES/EBU and ADAT I/O up to 192 kHz, optional MADI I/O, remote control via MIDI, remote digital input trimming for full input calibration, remote volume control for all 8 analog outputs, either separately, globally, ganged and much more.

The analog inputs and outputs feature the same circuitry as RME's well-known ADI-8 series, ensuring excellent signal to noise ratio and low THD. On the digital side, SteadyClock, RME's unique clock technology and jitter suppression, further enhances the list of features, ensuring the best sound quality regardless of the quality of the reference clock signal. The QS uses the latest AD- and DA-converter circuits with up to 192 kHz, with S/N ratios of 120 dBA. New digital filters reduce the conversion delay from over 40 samples to just 8 samples. That's low latency in perfection!

The ADI-8 QS also offers an unsurpassed choice of interface options. In addition to 2 ADAT I/Os that support up to 192 kHz (S/MUX), the device also features a 25-pin AES/EBU interface for all inputs and outputs.

And that's not all - The ADI-8 QS features RME's latest technological achievement - an expansion slot that makes the device even more flexible. The slot can host a MADI option card for direct connection to MADI systems. All interface options can be used simultaneously under all conditions; analog (balanced TRS and/or D-Sub), ADAT, AES/EBU and the MADI option card.

Within the ADI-8 series of converters, the full remote controllability of the QS is a novelty allowing the device to be placed anywhere on stage or in the studio as a remote controllable "SuperStageBox," with full access from the control room or FOH mixer.

Other typical RME features like Intelligent Clock Control (ICC), SyncCheck®, and SyncAlign® have also been implemented. Compare the following high-end features from the ADI-8 QS with all other multi-channel converters and you'll definitely agree that this converter's cost/performance ratio is second to none!

Features Overview:

8-channel AD converter, fully symmetrical design, 120 dBA S/N

8-channel DA converter, double balanced output, 120 dBA DA

Low latency conversion: only 8 samples of delay!

2 ADAT optical inputs, 24 bit, with RME's unsurpassed Bitclock PLL, up to 192 kHz

2 ADAT optical outputs, 24 bit, fully compatible, up to 192 kHz

8 AES/EBU I/Os, full channel count up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, connected via D-sub

8-channel Digital Input Trim over a range of 6 dB

Full remote controllability via MIDI and MIDI via MADI

All settings are stored permanently

Included Remote Control for store/recall of presets, volume and dim

Optional MADI module