Lynx "HILO TB" with Thunderbolt-compatible audio interface is now on display at Oriospec!

Akiba Koho" is an irregular column introducing PC parts and digital gadgets that the Akiba Research Institute staff found interesting.

Lynx Studio Technology's AD/DA converter "HILO" is now on display at Oriospec.

By the way, Lynx Studio Technology is a manufacturer that consumers may not be familiar with, but it is a major player in the studio industry. In particular, it is said that there are many mastering studios in the world that use the Aurora 8/16 AD/DA converters.

In the early 2000s, when there were few choices of high-resolution audio equipment for professional use, Aurora was probably one of the most frequently recommended manufacturers when building PC audio systems. Some of you may recall the Lynx L22 and LynxTWO in particular (although the price was also a surprise). In this sense, it is a manufacturer that is well known not only by those who make music but also by those who listen to it.

The HILO is an AD/DA converter designed for studio use, ideal for recording, mixing, and mastering. It has a reference-quality headphone amplifier and can also be used as a headphone amplifier with built-in DAC.

Another key feature is the unique expansion slot on the rear panel, which provides a choice of PC connection interfaces. One is the familiar USB, and the other is Thunderbolt, making it one of the few audio interfaces that natively supports Thunderbolt.

And although it looks like a stationary type like OPPO Digital's HA-1(JP), the interface and functions are professional. In addition to balanced XLR terminals as analog inputs and outputs, it has a monitor out (TRS terminal), as well as AES/EBU and S/PDIF (coaxial/angular, ADAT compatible) as digital I/Os. Of course, word clocking is also supported.

The 32-channel internal mixer can be used to mix input sources to each output, making it "effective as a high-quality monitoring system during mixing" (according to the company).

Although this product is full of highlights, PC stores rarely handle it, and in-store demonstrations like this one are rare. The demo is only available for a limited time, but if you are interested, why don't you give it a try?

The price of the Thundebolt expansion card pre-installed version is 300,000 yen (excluding tax). Ordering only.