Pinging Reg and Amarra/Metric Halo/Sonic Studio users ...

[joeinid]

Hi Reg, Et al.,

Have you played with your "character" settings in the Metric Halo/Sonic Studio/Amarra settings. I think it works great.

I've had my Metric Halo LIO-8 (similar to Sonic Studio/Amarra Model 4) for almost one year and started experimenting a little.

For those not sure what it is, here is a basic synopsis from Sonic Studio's website: The Amarra Model Four is the ultimate FireWire®–based audio interface with amazing versatility at a very reasonable price. It provides an array of functions that allow you to listen to high-definition digital audio with unprecedented ultra fidelity.

Depending on how it's configured, it's basically an 8 channel 24/192 firewire DAC that's a staple of professional recording studios. It really is amazing.

These models have a 2d card that offloads some of the processing from the computer cpu and handles it on it own. Sort of like it's own little cpu.

Included with the basic configuration are "character" curves or flavors that can be added to the music, either before or after recording or during playback. Among these character settings are 22 various levels of tube emulators. Here is a list of the characters:

- American Solid State
- American Transformer 1
- American Transformer 2
- Boutique Tube
- British Pre Clone
- Cali Tube Mic
- Cali Tube Line
- Cali Vocal Box
- Cali Vocal Box Drive
- Classic British Pre
- FET
- Modern Tube DI 1
- Modern Tube EQ 2
- Modern Tube Soft Sat 3
- Modern Tube Mic Low Gain 4
- Modern Tube Mic Med Gain 5
- Modern Tube Mic High Gain 6
- Modern Tube Simulation 7
- Modern Tube Mic Soft Sat 8
- Soft Sat
- Transformer
- Valve

Just for the heck of it, I hooked up my LIO-8 directly to my 911mk3 amp because it also has high quality preamps built in. Holy Cow!!! What fun. Except for a couple of seconds where I almost blew up my speakers (note to self - do not play with the output dB settings in the software controls while audio is playing and output is not muted , replace underwear and continue playing around) I am really enjoying the different "characters" or as Alberto would say "levels of deliciousness". I could almost get away without a conventional preamp using my computer as a source. Yes, the LIO-8 is asynchronous to the computer and sounds amazing. I'll have some more experimenting to do when my 089 cd player comes into the mix, plus I want to compare the dac in the 089 to my LIO-8 to my Aqvox (which I also like very much).

http://www.mhsecure.com/v5mm/LIO-8.html

More to follow .....

Joe

[BearCubinNY]

Hey Joe,
I have indeed played with the 'Character' settings on the MH LIO-8. It does a good job sounding like several different tube flavors. Depending on what else you have the DAC doing, it can be quite fun. If you're using it to bi- or tri-amp your speakers, forget about it. It seems to handle hires files with just as much precision as red book.

If I only had SS gear and wanted to iterate possible tube changes I would definitely give this a go. The LIO-8 is some serious studio gear. It can do much more, but we can leave that for yet another day/conversation. Happy listening!

Reg

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by BearCubinNY

Happy listening!

Reg

Thanks Reg,

My new or restated motto - keep it simple

It seems to be working

[omasciarotte]

Originally Posted by joeinid

said:
I've had my Metric Halo LIO-8 (similar to Sonic Studio/Amarra Model 4) for almost one year and started experimenting a little.

Quick note: The differences between the two is a Sonic EQ license and a +DSP license both come with the Model Four. Sonic’s Model Five adds pre-amps that can be used for measuring mics, phono inputs (Sonic EQ has RIAA de-emphasis), etc.

OMas

[joeinid]

Thanks OMas,

Just for the heck of it, I've been using the LIO-8 direct to the amp and really like what I am hearing. I plan on putting my preamp back in the chain in a couple of days. I don't need the mic inputs and the +dsp. I think, for me, it's probably overkill. I still don't fully understand ALL the features of the LIO-8. I do think it was one of the best purchases I've made. Cool stuff.

Joe