Prism converters have long been the choice for many high end recording and mastering studios. Although competition in the converter market continues to become tighter as the years goes by few have been able to keep pace with their customers the way Prism has, which is one of the reasons you find their converters on our site. The Dream Series converters are an elegant, musical interpretation of what a converter needs to be and how it should function. The Dream ADA-8 converters are available with a number of options, including connections for ProTools MIX and HD. If you are looking for a custom configured unit, just drop us an email and let us know what you're looking for.
Prism Dream AD-2 features
Converter performance is pushed ever-nearer the limit: Dynamic range reaches a massive 130dB, THD+n at full scale is raised to 108dB (0.0005%). Clock stability, and rejection of incoming reference jitter are also improved.
The AD-2 is like two separate A/D converters, plus a digital processor, all in one: it can generate two entirely separate output signals simultaneously. These can have different sampling rates, different word lengths - even use different noise-shapers. For example, you can output a 96kHz / 24-bit signal and a 44.1kHz / 16-bit noise-shaped signal at the same time.
Apart from its breathtaking performance, the analogue front-end of the AD-2 includes many new features: Analogue input sensitivity (and inter-channel balance) is software-programmable over the entire range with 0.05dB resolution. Just as with the AD-1, the inputs are transformerless, electronically balanced and galvanically isolated (fully floating), to ensure freedom from noise pick-up and crosstalk.
The 'D-D' (digital-to-digital) path, first provided in the AD-1, has been improved still further in the AD-2: It still offers re-dithering, noise-shaping and DRE encoding / decoding, but now it has synchronous sample-rate-conversion (SRC) as well. So you can re-process your 96kHz, 24-bit masters to 44.1kHz 16-bit streams for CD, or you can up-sample low-rate recordings for post-processing at a higher rate... in fact, you can convert between any two standard sampling-rates - synchronously. Synchronous sample-rate-conversion, if correctly performed, is free of the distortion artifacts associated with conventional 'variable rate' SRCs.
The four tried and tested Super-Noise-Shaping ('SNS') curves are extended to include optimal shaping for the higher sampling rates. The SNS process gives greatly improved small signal performance for limited word lengths, such as CD, and is completely compatible with existing D/A converter products (including consumer and professional CD players).
The popular DRE function is retained from the AD-1: this allows you to make 24-bit quality recordings on 16-bit recorders such a DAT. DRE (Dynamic Range Enhanced) recordings need to be decoded on playback; the decode function is provided as an option in the 'D-D' mode. DRE, unlike conventional dynamic range processing does not compress or add HF noise.
The AD-2's front panel gives a clear indication of the main control settings at all times. Audio level is shown on 16-segment meters. A menu system allows control of operating parameters, and 16 stores are provided (including eight 'factory' modes) which can be recalled at the push of a button. A unique 'Setup Wizard' feature simplifies configuration of the AD-2 for new users.
The digital inputs and outputs of the AD-2 cover a wide range of formats. Digital outputs are available in all formats irrespective of the input format in use. When generating two different output signal paths, the AD-2's digital outputs can be freely assigned to either path.
FEATURES
- Transformerless electronically balanced XLR inputs with software adjustable line-up level
- Dynamic range is 130dB typical, rms unweighted, measured at -60dBFS
- THD+n is -108dB (0.0004%) typical, rms unweighted at -1.0dBFS
Digital Output Signals:
- Main and Auxiliary signals available simultaneously
- Main can be at 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, or 44.1kHz, any word format
- Auxiliary can be at 48kHz, 44.1kHz or 32kHz, any word format
- Word formats can be 24-bit, 20-bit, 16-bit or DRE encoded
- 20-bit and 16-bit formats can be dithered or noise-shaped (choice of SNS1-4)
Digital Input and Output Connector Formats:
- AES3 (XLR, coaxial)
- S/PDIF (coaxial, optical)
- SDIF-2 as standard
- DSD outputs available as upgrade option
- Format conversion between any of the above connector formats
Signal Processing Functions Available (A-D and D-D modes):
- Dithering and Super-Noise-Shaping (choice of four SNS curves)
- DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement) encoding
- DRE decoding (D-D)
- Synchronous sampling-rate-conversion, between any two of 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz and 32kHz (D-D) Synchronization:
- Internal at 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz or 32kHz
- External AES11 (XLR, coaxial or optical) or Wordclock (SDIF-2) within +/-1500ppm of standard rates
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