Benchmark ADC16 - Analog to Digital Converter

The ADC16 from Benchmark is a 16-channel, 24-bit 192kHz analog to digital audio converter that adheres to the company's philosophy that digital converters should preserve all of the nuances of the source without adding any additional "coloring". This can now be achieved across an entire multi-track recording session.

The converter features 16-channels of transformerless balanced analog inputs. Each channel of analog input has a gain control (via a trim-pot) that has a 20dB range. At 0dB of gain, it can accept 28dBu at the input without clipping. At max-gain, an 8dB input-signal will drive the converters to full-scale.

When fitted with an optional FireWire card, the ADC16 can operate as the sole interface to native DAW's, including Pro Tools 9, without the need for any other hardware. It is completely compatible with the digital I/O interfaces from Avid/Digidesign interfaces and other interfaces with AES, coaxial, and/or optical inputs.

The ADAT mode of the optical outputs makes a perfect companion for older Pro Tools LE interfaces, as well as other digital interfaces with ADAT and coaxial inputs. The eight optical outputs can be operated in S/PDIF or ADAT mode at sample-rates up to 192kHz (ADAT has SMUX2 and SMUX4 functionality).

The ADC16 features very flexible I/O routing solutions. The control panel allows the user to dictate the source (A/D or DAW) for each of the AES, coaxial, and optical digital outputs. The UltraLockDDS clock system utilizes the latest low-jitter clock technology. The master oscillator is a low phase-noise, temperature-compensated, fixed-frequency crystal oscillator with a +/- 2 PPM frequency accuracy.

The converter features 9-segment meters for each channel that are single-sample accurate. The meters can be set to display in 6dB increments (48dB range) or 1dB increments (20dB range). In both cases, the meters can be put in "peak-hold" mode, which will hold the highest-valued sample until the "peak-hold" mode is reset.