Mytek AD 96 Reviews

[brandondrury]

Mytek AD 96 Description
Stereo96 ADC is a two channel hi-end Analog to Digital converter for recording and mastering applications. The main feature of this converter is its outstanding sound quality which makes it suitable for the most demanding projects when preserving the original signal quality is a required.

Stereo96 ADC features include:

- 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz internal sampling frequencies
- Ext. wordclock sync 25-100kHz or 256x Superclock(tm)
- 120dB Dynamic Range
- 24 bit resolution
- High performance SuperShaper-HR™ psychoacoustic noiseshaping algorithm for 16 bit output
- Switchable precision 10 turn-trimpots or input gain knob
- Wordclock output can be used as a hi-end house clock.

[brandondrury]

Quality: 9
The Mytek is supposed to sound great. That's what I was told just before I bought it. While I can't say that the Mytek sounds bad, I have to say that cheap, crappy converters sound quite a bit better than I had imagined.

For the typical home recording guy struggling with inadequate acoustics and non-major label talent, I have a hard time recommending the upgrading of converters. There are more effective things you can put your money into in my opinion.

Don't take my word for it. Take a listen yourself. AD Converter Shootout: Mytek AD96 vs Presonus Firestudio

Reliability: 10
I've owned two Mytek AD96 converters since late 2004. Never once has the Mytek ever had one had a single problem. They have been bulletproof.

Overall Rating: 8
Overall, I give the Mytek AD96 and 8. It's not that there is anything wrong with the Mytek, but these days I'm looking for the most bang for my recording buck. I'm placing my money into products that are going to bring my recording studio more business and allow my clients to walk away happier.

The benefits of the Mytek are so subtle that I'm not sure than any of my clients would care.

I'm not saying there aren't benefits, but it's clear to me that they are slim.

[Ericcc]

Good review. I have bought a Mytek AD96 myself recently comming from a RME fireface 400. To me the difference is 25% better then before. More accuracy, faster transients etc.. These things build up in a mix. Mixing, let's say, 8 tracks leaves me with more transparancy and detail now then I could achieve with the Fireface 400.

Another thing is that the Mytek clocks my Benchmark DAC-1 and that sounds better as well. So, you don't 'only' profit on the AD side but also on the monitoring side.. Just a thought..

Best,
Eric

[brandondrury]

To me the difference is 25% better then before.

Wow! Maybe mine ARE broken! For me, the difference is 1%.

Brandon

[romeo babao]

guys guys,
the difference in converters and the vast improvements they carry can be very subtle...sometimes the clocking with an external clock can have a more noticeble effect than an actual converter change.
sometimes time itself will reveal what improvements the A/D can offer ...esp on different acoustic instruments.

[brandondrury]

the difference in converters and the vast improvements they carry can be very subtle

I'm not sure about you, but "vast improvement" and "very subtle" tend to be on the polar opposites of the spectrum. Am I wrong?

Brandon

[romeo babao]

aha,you got me there MR.PERIMETRIC,i had omitted the "they say they CARRY"after the VAST IMPROVEMENTS ,and that made me sound like a moron actually.
that made my day ,laughing.
i quote stephen king on this....
"if you don't dazzle them with brilliance ,baffle them with BULL#@&T.....
thanks brandon.

[romeo babao]

and i forgot one thing too,sometimes a preamp or AD change won't matter if your room or monitors are screwed.

[romeo babao]

right you are bro....it should read like...........the diff.in converters and the vast improvement they say they carry can in reality be quite subtle.

i guess i was having constipation on my brain and diarrhea of the mouth at that time.

[Bob Mack]

Quality: 10
Very transparent sound--works well with other high end equipment. I doubt if digital technology will get much better than this--so I would expect this converter to be very useful for many years to come. Has a great set of controls/outputs and the noise shaping is first rate. Word clock output is first class--
I use it as the master clock and it makes everything sound better.
I use it to track and to master--Extremely useful. Also I totally agree with Mytek about transparency---Much better to execute coloration with analog equipment---
High quality A/D conversion is critical to a studio. Next to preamps and microphones probably the 3rd most important
part of any studio.

Reliability: 9
Word Clock jacks are lame--I have had to replace --Its
hard to find high quality isolated BNC jacks. If not for that
I'd give it a 10.

Overall Rating: 0
Yes---The other choice at this level is the Lavry Blue--which is more $$. The Blue has the digital clipping offset
which would be very useful, but I am using analog limiters
which have eliminated the need for this function. The Lavry AD 10 does not have WC out so that is a major limitation.

[meekofnature]

While I can't say that the Mytek sounds bad, I have to say that cheap, crappy converters sound quite a bit better than I had imagined.

There is a lot of honesty and wisdom in this quote, and people should take notice.

[music producer]

Got my Mytek AD 96 quite a few years back, when I was using an 888/24 for AD. I did a shootout with blackface ADATS, the 888/24, and the Mytek in a large commercial facility locally. As you can imagine, it was not a contest.

Results, predictably:
ADAT - yikes
888/24 - better than the ADAT
Mytek - Strikingly and unmistakably superior to the 888/24.

I have a 192 now - but still consider the Mytek a slightly better converter - and am convinced that clocking with the Mytek improves my setup.

With the total cost of my rig and assorted stuff, the $1K I paid for the Mytek was a good purchase for me.