PC AV Tech Sound Card Report: Lucid ADA1000-PCI24 24 Bit Analog

Lucid ADA1000-PCI 24 Analog, 24 bits

Summary
Parameter	My Opinion	Mode of Operation
Parameter	My Opinion	Full Duplex Loop Back	Analog > Digital	Digital > Analog
Frequency Response	Excellent	30-20kHz +0.8, -0.2 dB	30-20kHz +0.05/-0.35 dB	30-20kHz +0.05/- 0.22 dB
1 kHz Total Harmonic Distortion	Excellent	0.0025% @ -0.5 dB	0.0016% @ -0.6 dB	0.0036% @ -0.1 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio	Excellent	89 dB	89.5 dB	87 dB
19 & 20 kHz Intermodulation Distortion	Excellent	0.0083% @-0.8dB	0.005% @ -0.2 dB	0.011% @-0.33 dB
Dynamic Range	Excellent	90 dB	95 dB	95 dB
Jitter Distortion	Excellent	<-105	<-105 dB	<-105 dB
Software Used:	Windows 98 build 1998. Driver Release: 6/3/1998 Tested using an Event Layla for AD and DA tests.

TeDis

Discussion Of Results

This PCI card (PCI 24 Analog, 24 bits)/rack chassis (ADA1000) combination's performance is in the same range as the equipment used to test it. Therefore the results shown may understate its performance, except in the loop-back tests.

The SNR tests may understate the performance of the card due to ambiguities in the performance of the test software (Spectra Lab) when SNR's are this good.

AD Dynamic range performance is somewhat dependent on input level, with higher analog input levels giving better DR. The DR test was performed with a input level of about 0 dB/600 ohms.

What the numbers don't show is the smooth, easy operation of this card, including handling of overloads. The ADC and DAC chips are from AKM while the PCI interface card uses a Motorola DSP for interface functions including automatic sample rate conversion.

Gangable input level controls and LED level and function indicators on the rack chassis made using it easier. The card and chassis interface via a standard SP/DIF interface, so their use is not dedicated to each other. The chassis has fully balanced analog I/O with XLR and TRS connectors for all functions. The digital XLR connections conform to theAES/EBU standard.