At the 2018 Prolight + Sound show, Allen & Heath has debuted the new PRIME input and output modules, which are designed to take advantage of the potential of the dLive mix system’s 96 kHz XCVI FPGA core.
Allen & Heath managing director Rob Clark explains, “For the PRIME project, we asked ourselves a simple question: ‘How do we take a class-leading digital mixer to the next level?’”
The answer, according to the company, was inspired by dLive users who work with renowned classical musicians, vocalists and virtuoso instrumentalists and who are passionate about capturing every nuance of a performance.
“As our XCVI core is a defacto 96 kHz platform, we realized we were able to exploit I/O converter technologies that are optimized for these higher sampling rates, providing audiophile levels of transparency without compromising latency or bandwidth,” Clark continues. “These higher resolution converters led us to also investigate different types of interface electronics in the analogue circuitry, including Nichicon FG Fine Gold Capacitors, and enhancements to power supplies, grounding and shielding.
“This in turn resulted in further performance improvements, slashing THD and noise and vastly improving on typical slew rates. After extensive development and endless listening tests, we’re there.”
Two modules will be available, an Input Mic Pre module and a Line Output module. Because the modules are designed to fit in the dLive DX32 expander rack, PRIME can be used in conjunction with existing I/O, with users able to tailor or scale the system to their requirements, from select channels up to multiple fully-loaded racks.
