Lavry Engineering AD11 | Media
A-D Converter & Mic Preamp
Reviews : A-D / D-A Converter
Hugh Robjohns
Bench tests of the LavryBlack AD11 confirmed its impressive credentials, with the results matching or exceeding the published specifications. The dynamic range measured to the AES17 standard was 120dB, and THD+N was better than 0.001 percent for signals above -14dBFS in line mode (distortion rises rapidly above -4dBFS when the soft saturation mode is engaged, of course). The frequency response is ruler flat to 5Hz, and is roughly 30dB down at half the sample rate, achieving maximum attenuation of over 110dB at about 0.56fs. Although theoretically non-ideal, this kind of performance is quite typical. Channel crosstalk at 10kHz in line mode is a very healthy 112dB. The maximum input level in line mode via the balanced XLR connection is fractionally shy of +24dBu.
The following test plots were taken with an Audio Precision Analyser during the course of the review:

An FFT spectrum obtained with the mic preamp running at 40dB gain. Most artifacts are below -130dBFS, and even the mains hum harmonics (which was mostly picked up from the external input wiring) is below -110dBFS.
An FFT spectrum obtained with the mic preamp running at 40dB gain. Most artifacts are below -130dBFS, and even the mains hum harmonics (which was mostly picked up from the external input wiring) is below -110dBFS.

A plot showing the transitional frequency response of the anti-alias filtering at all four sample rates.
A plot showing the transitional frequency response of the anti-alias filtering at all four sample rates.

Transfer curves showing input level verses output level for the normal (lower) and soft-saturation (upper) modes. The plots reveal the additional 3dB gain applied in saturation mode, and a gentle saturation curve.
Transfer curves showing input level verses output level for the normal (lower) and soft-saturation (upper) modes. The plots reveal the additional 3dB gain applied in saturation mode, and a gentle saturation curve.

A plot showing the distortion versus output level for both normal and soft saturation modes.
A plot showing the distortion versus output level for both normal and soft saturation modes.
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