Lynx LT-TB Thunderbolt™ LSlot Interface for Lynx Hilo and Aurora Converters

Lynx Studio Technology announces the LT-TB Thunderbolt LSlot interface for its Aurora and Hilo converters. The LT-TB is a two-port Thunderbolt expansion card that supports daisy-chaining Aurora and Hilo converters and any other certified Thunderbolt device on both Apple and Windows computers. The LT-TB and accompanying Aurora and Hilo models are the first Thunderbolt audio devices certified for Windows as well as Mac.

The LT-TB LSlot card can be installed into any existing Hilo or Aurora with an easy and free firmware update. In addition, Lynx is making Thunderbolt equipped Aurora and Hilo models available at the same time. These models are:

• Hilo-TB in Black and Silver

• Aurora 16-TB

• Aurora 16-VTTB (variable trim model)

• Aurora 8-TB

The LT-TB, in development for over a year, uses Intel’s Cactus Ridge second-generation Thunderbolt controller. This device allows for a more robust design electrically. Similar to other Lynx products, LT-TB incorporates an FPGA for audio mixing and control functions that can be easily updated in the field.

Months of in-house testing along with support from Apple and Intel assure that LT-TB works well with any other certified Thunderbolt product on the market.

Whereas some earlier Thunderbolt equipped converters are limited to two units and 32 analog channels, the LT-TB can be used in a chain of up to 6 Aurora converters for up to 96 analog channels, plus 96 digital channels on one Thunderbolt port. So theoretically, the upcoming 6 port Mac Pro could deliver up to 1,152 channels.

The Thunderbolt protocol allows up to six devices and one display to be connected to the computer on a single Thunderbolt port. So in addition to Lynx converters, you can have external drives, displays, expansion chassis and so on. The LT-TB has two Thunderbolt ports, which allows this daisy chaining of devices.

One of the other nice features of the LT-TB and other Thunderbolt devices is the ability to plug, unplug and hot-plug them. So you can easily bring in an additional Aurora or Hilo or other Thunderbolt device without needing to reinstall drivers or reset anything. It’s all automatic.

According to Intel, the developer of Thunderbolt, “Thunderbolt delivers unparalleled performance, flexibility and simplicity to personal computing.” said Jason Ziller, Intel’s director of Thunderbolt Marketing, “Products like the Lynx LT-TB LSlot interface help highlight what Thunderbolt makes possible.”

Thunderbolt technology is the fastest connection to your PC at 10Gbs – in each direction, and at the same time. This is twice the speed of USB 3.0. Thunderbolt provides flexibility and simplicity by connecting up to six data and display devices in a daisy-chain.

The Lynx LT-TB, Aurora-8 TB, Aurora 16-TB, Aurora 16-VTTB and Hilo-TB (Silver or Black) are now available.