Black Lion Audio’s latest release combines the company’s expertise in clocking with their renowned preamp designs, delivering an eight-channel unit that can be used to expand any interface with spare ADAT I/O.
As its name suggests, each of the Auteur 8DAT’s eight channels is equipped with the company’s Auter preamps. Mic, line-level and Hi-Z inputs are provided, and can be selected using a front-panel toggle switch, while every channel boasts independently switchable phantom power, -10dB pad, polarity reversal and insert points. Over on the rear panel, you’ll find an XLR output for each channel, a pair of DB25 connectors that take care of the balanced insert connections, a pair of ADAT outputs on Toslink sockets and BNC Word Clock I/O.
The unit’s clocking facilities are provided by Black Lion Audio’s patented Marco-MMC technology, which was originally developed for their standalone clocks. It promises to deliver ultra-low jitter while minimising phase distortion, and thanks to the Word Clock I/O, it’s possible to share the benefit with other connected digital gear. The company say that they recommend using the Auteur 8DAT as the master clock in a system, although it will be perfectly happy accepting an input from another device should users already have a master clock that they’re happy with.
The Auteur 8DAT's rear panel offers independent analogue outputs and insert points for each channel, along with ADAT outputs and Word Clock I/O.
Key Features
- Add eight channels of Auteur preamps to any ADAT-compatible interface with detailed, high-end conversion.
- Eight versatile, Cinemag transformer-equipped Auteur preamps deliver clean, fast transient response at low gain settings, adding ‘heft’ and ‘colour’ when driven.
- Eight front-mounted Hi-Z / line inputs for line-level devices and guitars/basses.
- Eight sends and returns over DB25, with the sends also functioning as mults.
- Independent +48V, polarity, -10 dB pad and insert control per input.
- Internal clocking featuring patented Macro-MMC technology with BNC I/O.
- High-end Vishay, Nichicon and Wima capacitors, as well as high-end ICs for low noise performance.
- All inputs and outputs are fully balanced.
Pricing & Availability
The Auteur 8DAT is available to pre-order now, priced at $1999€2599. Shipping is expected to commence in Q2 2026.
