Used Lucid AD 9624...any thoughts?

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Seafroggys

Seafroggys

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So when I got my RNP, I just plug it in into the Line 7/8 jacks on my Firestudio, but I'm still limited to 8 inputs. I've been investigating into getting a decent 2-channel A/D converter with a SPDIF output, not only to expand my inputs to 10 (since I now own more than 8 mics) but to also get a bit better signal going in through my golden channels (yeah, converters are the least important all things considered, but its good to have decent ones).

There were two units I was looking at. The RME ADI-2 and the Lucid AD 9624. The RME ADI-2 is both A/D and D/A. The Lucid has been out of production for a year or two, but they both co-existed and were often compared to each other. The Lucid, when new, was a bit cheaper than the RME, and was regarded as having the better A/D converter (again, no D/A though).

I have a sweet deal on a used Lucid for less than $400 open to me. I really want to go for it, if not to have better converters for my RNP then at least to expand my rig two more channels. I'm sure not a lot of people here have used one, but in the oft chance that someone might, is this a good option?
 
They're fine. $400 seems just a whisker steep for some reason... But if it's a fair price (assuming you've checked around a bit), then there you go.
 
There's not a lot floating around unfortunately. I'm not registered at Gearslutz so I can't see their classifieds (and I don't really want to sign up purely for that reason) but its been awhile since I've seen one that cheap. Usually I see them go for $500 and some change.

Is there anything else in that used price point that's the same quality? I don't need 192, 96 is fine with me (hell, 88.2 is fine with me, I've never recorded at 96 before).
 
I have the Lucid AD9624 and the DA9624.
I also have 16 channel of RME .

I love them.
I use DA via SPDIF for monitoring my mixdowns, it is clear and pristine.
The AD is used for recording the stereo mix off my Mixer when I mix outside the computer.
I also use it on really critical tracks like solo classical guitar and the like.

I paid about $500 used for the AD several years ago so under 400 to me is a good deal.
 
Thanks guys. It was an ebay auction, got it for $380 including shipping. Pretty excited to get it!
 
I got it yesterday, but I only hooked it up today and I ran into a problem.

Since I didn't have any TRS->XLR on hand I made myself a test cable. I am going from the RNP to the Lucid, then Coaxial SPDIF into Firestudio. I am getting signal from my DI bass guitar. However, the levels are pretty low. I turned up the preamp but I started clipping all over the place, and can't get my peaks up past -30 or so. I am assuming it is my cable (its my first XLR cable, all my other TRS and Speakon cables work flawlessly) but I'm just wondering if there's anything else it could be?

Also using Lucid as master clock.
 
Yeah something sounds squirrely.
I have fed my RNP to my Lucid before and the gain structure levels are fine.
Usually if I am hitting a solid green light on the RNP I am getting half to 3/4 the scale on the Lucid.

At the time I bought my cables, but they were Balanced 1/4 to xlr.

Hopefully there is nothing wrong with the Lucids input.

When you listen back to the recorded signal, how does it sound?
 
Listening back was fine. When I upped the faders in Reaper it sounded...normal.

Oddly enough, the problem fixed itself. When I went back to the studio after I made that post, levels were great. So no issues now :)
 
Listening back was fine. When I upped the faders in Reaper it sounded...normal.

Oddly enough, the problem fixed itself. When I went back to the studio after I made that post, levels were great. So no issues now :)
We've always referred to that as FM (fuc%ing magic)
 
I used the Lucid converters for quite some time, before switching to my Zed R16 board that I use now. I also had RME ADI converters. I preferred the Lucid's over the RME's so they got the most use unless I needed more channels. Love lucid converters!
 
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