Prism Sound ADA-8XR Audio Interface with 16-Channel 8C-AD Input and 8-Channel 8C-AES AES3 Digital I/O Modules

SKU: PSAD8XR16ADS MFR: ADA-8XR-16AD-AES
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Key Features

  • Experience pristine audio fidelity with this Prism Sound audio interface.
  • Achieve ultra-low latency for seamless recording and mixing sessions.
  • Enjoy versatile input/output connectivity for your studio setup with AES3.
  • This audio interface boasts exceptional build quality for lasting reliability.
  • Capture every nuance with 16 channels of high-resolution AD input module.
  • Integrate digital devices effortlessly using the 8-channel AES3 digital I/O.
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Special Order?Estimated to Ship: 09/08/2025
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Prism Sound ADA-8XR Specifications

ADA-8XR Audio Interface

ADA-8XR Audio Interface

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  • Form Factor

    Rackmount

  • Channels of I/O

    None

  • Max Sample Rate/Resolution

    192 kHz / 24-Bit

  • Number of Mic Preamps

    None

  • Expansion Slots

    2x Analog I/O Slot
    2x Digital I/O Slot
    1x Utility Slot
    1x Internal DSP Slot

  • Analog Audio I/O

    1x Stereo RCA Balanced Output
    1x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output

  • Digital Audio I/O

    1x BNC Coaxial AES-3id / S/PDIF Output

  • Sync I/O

    1x BNC Video Sync/Word Clock Input
    1x BNC Word Clock Output
    1x XLR 3-Pin AES11 Input
    1x XLR 3-Pin AES11 Output

  • MIDI I/O

    None

  • Other I/O

    1x DE-9/DB-9 RS-232/RS-485 In/Out

  • Impedance

    RCA Outputs: 50 Ohms
    1/4" Outputs: 115 Ohms
    XLR Outputs: 110 Ohms
    BNC Sync Outputs: 75 Ohms
    XLR Mic Inputs: 110 Ohms
    BNC Sync Inputs: 75 Ohms

  • Dynamic Range

    RCA Outputs: 105 dB (-60 dBFS, 1 kHz)

  • THD+N

    RCA Outputs: -101 dB / 0.0009% (1 kHz, at -1 dBFS)

  • Channel Separation

    RCA Outputs: > 120 dB (1 kHz)

  • dBFS Reference Level

    +15 / +18 / +21 / +24 dBu = 0 dBFS (Selectable)

  • Sample Rates

    Up to 192 kHz

  • Bit Depths

    Up to 24-Bit

  • Clocking

    Accuracy: +/-25 ppm
    Jitter Suppression: > 60 dB (above 700 Hz)

  • OS Compatibility

    macOS
    Windows

  • AC Input Power

    90 to 125 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
    180 to 250 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz

  • Power Consumption

    60W

  • Rackmount Size

    2 RU

  • Dimensions

    19 x 15.4 x 3.5" (483 x 390 x 88mm)

  • Weight

    16.5 lbs (7.5kg)

8C-AD 8-Channel Input Module

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  • Inputs

    8x XLR 3-pin female (balanced)

  • Input Impedance

    21.005 kOhms

  • Input Range

    +5 to +24 dBu

  • Gain Accuracy

    +/-0.05 dB

  • CMRR

    60 Hz: < -100 dB
    1 kHz: < -90 dB
    20 Hz to 20 kHz: < -65 dB

  • Limiter

    Software selectable on/off

  • THD + N

    -105 dB (0.0006%) at 997 Hz, -1 dBFS

  • Dynamic Range

    112 dB at 997 Hz, -60 dBFS

  • Intermodulation Distortion (SMPTE)

    < -100 dB (60 Hz at -3 dBFS, 7 kHz at -12 dBFS)

  • Spurious

    Maximum Aharmonic Spurium: < -130 dBFS (997 Hz at -1 dBFS)

  • Frequency Response

    44.1 kHz: 5 Hz to 20.1 kHz (-0.05 dB), <1 Hz to 22 kHz (-3 dB)
    48 kHz: 5.5 Hz to 22.8 kHz (-0.05 dB), <1 Hz to 24 kHz (-3 dB)
    96 kHz: 6.1 Hz to 43.3 kHz (-0.05 dB), <1 Hz to 48 kHz (-3 dB)
    192 kHz: 6.2 Hz to 50.2 kHz (-0.05 dB), <1 Hz to 77.7 kHz (-3 dB)

  • Passband Ripple

    48/96 kHz: <0.015 dB

  • Inter-Channel Differential Phase

    <0.03 Degree

  • Channel Separation

    1 kHz: >125 dB
    20 Hz to 20 kHz: >117 dB

  • Latency

    44.1 kHz: 20 samples / 0.45 ms
    48 kHz: 20 samples / 0.42 ms
    96 kHz: 20 samples / 0.21 ms
    192 kHz: 20 samples / 0.10 ms

  • Dimensions

    7.9 x 7.1 x 1.2" (20 x 18 x 3cm)

  • Weight

    11.2 oz (317.5g)

8C-AES 8-Channel AES3 Digital I/O Module

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  • I/O Connections

    1x DB25 female (transformer coupled)

  • Impedance

    AES3 Mode: 110 Ohms
    S/PDIF Mode: 75 Ohms

  • Output Signal Amplitude

    AES Mode: 3.2 V p-p (loaded)
    S/PDIF Mode: 0.5 V p-p (loaded)

  • Sample Rates

    Up to 192 kHz
    One-wire or two-wire (Split96) input and output modes are supported at 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz

  • Bit Depth

    16-bit, 20-bit, 24-bit

  • Channel Support

    Consumer (S/PDIF) or professional (AES3)

  • Jitter Tolerance

    Below 200 Hz: 15 UI p-p
    Above 8 kHz: 0.5 UI p-p x1 (UI = 163 ns at 48 kHz)

  • Latency

    44.1 kHz: 34 samples / 0.77 ms
    48 kHz: 34 samples / 0.71 ms
    96 kHz: 34 samples / 0.35 ms
    192 kHz: 34 samples / 0.18 ms

  • Dimensions

    4.3 x 6.7 x 1.6" (11 x 17 x 4cm)

  • Weight

    3.2 oz (90.7kg)

  • UPC Code

    669014270573

About Prism Sound ADA-8XR

- ADA-8XR Audio Interface -

Legendary Modular AD/DA Convertor
The Pinnacle of audio performance, the ADA-8XR has found itself home in some of the world's most iconic recording facilities (Metropolis, British Grove etc) and utilised in high profile projects including Star Wars & Lord of the Rings.

With a lifespan of over 20 years in the industry, this British designed and engineered convertor embodies Prism Sound's no compromise approach to audio.

Conversion
The ADA-8XR offers accurate, ultra detailed A/D and D/A conversion providing complete focus of sound to ensure you're not distracted by coloration while allowing every nuance of a performance to be heard.

Modular Design
Modular design allows for the flexibility of having either an 8 input/8 output, 16 input OR 16 output converter. With digital I/O cards for AES.

Clocking And Synchronisation
The ADA-8XR works flawlessly as a master clock for your entire system providing rock solid stability and jitter rejection for crystal clear imaging. No external clock source can improve the performance of the ADA-8XR.

Multi-Sample Rate Compatibility
Independent paths allow for different sample rates being sent and received simultaneously.

I/O Modules
The ADA-8XR is a modular system and this provides great flexibility when creating systems with larger numbers of channels. Whether you need just a few channels of high-quality conversion or large a multi-track setup, the ADA-8XR is the natural choice. Using combinations of the basic system options and the range of digital interfaces you can build the system that perfectly matches your requirements.

Applications
The ADA-8XR is the audio industries converter of choice in the most exacting applications in music and sound recording, mastering, broadcast and post-production. Offering the cleanest and most transparent conversion available, the ADA-8XR has found a home in some of the most iconic recording facilities worldwide. Ideal for producers, engineers and songwriters wanting to produce the very best results when recording, tracking & overdubbing, mixing to stereo or surround, mastering and monitoring. The ADA-8XR is perfect for recording vocal, single instruments, drums or orchestra and is just as much at home providing multiple outputs for external analogue summing. It is in use in the top studios around the world as well as being used in numerous film soundtracks.

Design Philosophy
The ADA-8XR takes the philosophy of the widely-acclaimed Prism Sound converter range a stage further: Now, the goals of ultimate sound quality, unbeatable performance and un-matched versatility have been realised in a modular multi-channel, 24-bit 192kHz-capable format. The ADA-8XR provides A/D and D/A conversion and the essential digital interfaces with a stereo monitor mix output in digital and analogue formats.

Clocking & Synchronization
Unlike most other converter systems, the ADA-8XR is ideal as a master clock for your entire system, whether running from its precision internal reference or from an external source. No external clock source can improve the performance or influence the sound of the ADA-8XR. In addition, the ADA-8XR can run in Pro Tools Loop Sync mode, or lock to AES3, AES11 or Wordclock. The ADA-8XR delivers your recordings with perfect transparency, whatever the setup.


- 8C-AD 16-Channel Analogue Line Input Module -

The 8C-AD Analogue Line Input Module type PREV039/4/2 provides eight electronically-balanced analogue input channels to the ADA 8XR, on eight female XLR connectors.

Input line-up level (sensitivity) is variable for each channel over the range 0dBFS=+5.0dBu to 0dBFS=+24.0dBu, in 0.5dBu steps plus a fine trim.

Each channel has a Prism Sound Overkiller progressive limiter capability, which prevents the A/D converter from reaching full-scale, even when the input level significantly exceeds the selected input range. More information about the Prism Sound Overkiller can be found in the Technical Background section of the Operation Manual.

Control of the input line-up level and trim, and of the Overkillers, is via menus which are present in the ADA-8XR Menu System if the Module is fitted.


- 8C-AES 8-Channel AES3 Digital I/O Module with AES Breakout Loom -

The 8C-AES AES3 I/O Module type PREV039/6/1 provides eight channels of digital audio input and output for the ADA-8XR on four AES3 carriers in each direction. The input and output sections of the module are completely independent - that is, they can be assigned to different Paths with different sample rates, Sync Sources and other options. The AES3 I/O module can be thought of as two modules in one - one input module and one output module.

The module can accommodate extended sample rates (up to 192kHz) in Split96 (two-wire) or high-speed (one-wire) modes, and can output consumer or professional Channel Status. Inputs and outputs may be jumpered to comply with either AES3 or S/PDIF carrier voltage levels and impedances.

Features
• Compatible with ADA-8XR Audio Interface
• 8-Channels of Digital Audio Input & Output

Prism Sound ADA-8XR Features

  • Modular Design for Flexible I/O Setups
  • Up to 24-Bit / 192 kHz Resolution
  • Versatile Clocking and Routing Options
  • Selectable Input Limiters

Product Documents

User Manual

Key Features

  • Experience pristine audio fidelity with this Prism Sound audio interface.
  • Achieve ultra-low latency for seamless recording and mixing sessions.
  • Enjoy versatile input/output connectivity for your studio setup with AES3.
  • This audio interface boasts exceptional build quality for lasting reliability.
  • Capture every nuance with 16 channels of high-resolution AD input module.
  • Integrate digital devices effortlessly using the 8-channel AES3 digital I/O.

What's in the box:

  • Prism Sound ADA-8XR Audio Interface
  • 2x 8C-AD 8-Channel Analogue to Digital Line Input Module
  • 8C-AES 8-Channel AES3 Digital I/O Module with AES Breakout Loom
  • Power Cable
  • BNC to RCA Connector
  • 4.9' DB25 to XLR AES3 Breakout Cable
  • Prism Sound 3 Year Limited Warranty