recommendations for 8 in / 8 out ADAT converters in 2024 ? (older Apogee Rosetta? RME ADI-8?)

[Angie]

WRT the digiface, and the lightpipe end.
I bought a couple minidsp's (link below), which has given new life to my firewire interfaces. And I can use my MOTU 2408s as digital switchers (patch bay-ish), this is awesome with the number of devices I have. I also use them to offload FX to other computers when a session gets heavy.

Sadly, you have to flash them to get light-pipe working, and they dont publish their code. BUT these boxes can send/recv 8ch @ 92k for those who use sample rates higher than 48k.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/mchstreamer-box ( I use them on mac and linux )

PS: I was going to buy some apogee mic pre's and didnt know about the support issues. thanks to Michael Tibes for the note

Those minidsp streamers have saved me from having to find multi-channel USB interfaces for small remote recording jobs. I have 2 flashed for ADAT and one for Toslink. Mostly use the ADAT ones with Focusrite Octopre Dynamics interfaces. Two will give me 16 channels into a laptop when needed.

 

[snakecained2]

Well it turned out they were not fully electronically balanced and this caused some problems.

IIRC they did a "Broadcast" version that was properly Balanced.

 

[sr1200]

We use 2 Behringer ADA8200's as quick and dirty i/o to the ADAT inputs on our Avid converters. Are they they best? No. Do they work for occasional use? Yes
Do they sound bad? No, but they can get a little noisy depending on how you work it.

 

[mhelin]

If you don't want preamps there are the Arturia Audiofuse X8 IN & OUT line-to-ADAT and ADAT-to-line converters:
https://www.arturia.com/products/audio/audiofuse-x8/the-collection


IN uses AK5578EN 8ch A/D converter, OUT ES9080 DAC, not bad.

 

[Rob Flinn]

Well it turned out they were not fully electronically balanced and this caused some problems.

IIRC they did a "Broadcast" version that was properly Balanced.

What problems were caused ? Everywhere I have seen them (in music studios & broadcast facilities) used there have never been any problems with their impedance balanced outputs.