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Paris Converters? [message #105213] Mon, 19 April 2010 06:08 Go to next message
crabgrass is currently offline  crabgrass   UNITED STATES
Messages: 4
Registered: December 2009
Location: Detroit
Junior Member
Has anyone compared the MEC 24 bit converters to newer converters from SSL, RME, Echo Audio, Lynx, HD.

If so what did you find?

Thanks, Roscoe
Re: Paris Converters? [message #105216 is a reply to message #105213] Mon, 19 April 2010 10:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerryg is currently offline  kerryg   CANADA
Messages: 1529
Registered: February 2009
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Hey Roscoe - I've used most of the above, but not done critical A/B listening. I think the prevailing consensus by the golden ears members of the community (which I don't consider myself to be amongst) tended to be that they're a good cut above "run of the mill" converters, but the top end stuff (if you're willing to spend for it) has the edge for quality.

I recall statements like "about 80% of the way to Apogee quality". When you remember that a full Bundle 3 with two 8i cards totalling 20 inputs will run you less than a third the price of an Apogee Rosetta, that's saying something. There's a qualitative as well as quantitative difference; the Apogees have been described as having a more "crystalline" top end (I did note that myself) and PARIS described as having a warmer or more vintage vibe (or "woolier" depending on whether the listener liked it or not - I preferred what PARIS did).

Having said all that, there's a lot of snake oil peddled about the sonics of digital audio out there in the audio industry, and some of it smells suspiciously like confirmation bias, or even the "Emperor's New Clothes" to me. I find it's all about perspective vs "bang for the buck". The sonics of the PARIS convertors are definitely well above most of the offerings of their day, and hold up very nicely today. They're certainly up to the demands of pro mixing by pretty much any definition. Personally I find any sonic difference between PARIS using its own vs my RME convertors to be so subtle that it's utterly dwarfed by the differences between moving a mic an inch or two, let alone changing mics (or putting on a fresh set of strings).

TC could probably give you more info, he runs both PARIS and PTHD together.


"... being bitter is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other guy to die..." - anon

[Updated on: Mon, 19 April 2010 10:49]

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Re: Paris Converters? [message #105217 is a reply to message #105216] Mon, 19 April 2010 11:39 Go to previous message
crabgrass is currently offline  crabgrass   UNITED STATES
Messages: 4
Registered: December 2009
Location: Detroit
Junior Member
Thanks Kerry. The reason I am checking around is because of "snake oil". I am moving away from Paris after using it professionally for 9 years. It was great while it lasted.

I never gave converters a second thought, but now I have to decide what is good for me and my work flow. I actually have an SSL Alpha Link on order, but it is now back ordered. So I got to wondering if there was something out there that would suit me for a lot less bread.

If someone told me that an Echo Layla 3G sounded better than the Paris converters I might have to have a look. I need 16 channels so it pretty much comes down to a couple of Layla's or a couple of Multiface's. Anything more expensive than those 2 and the SSL becomes a no brainer.

Thanks, Roscoe
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