Dangerous Music CONVERT-8 D/A Converter

Dedicated Multi-Channel Digital-To-Analog Conversion

Whether youre tracking, mixing or mastering, the CONVERT-8 will deliver powerful low-end, articulate mids and transcendent highs to every channel in your analog rig. Patched into one of our award-winning analog summing units like the 2-BUS+ or the D-BOX or to your favorite analog console the CONVERT-8 will empower you to create the spacious, three-dimensional soundscapes that only real analog summing can deliver. Compatible with all of todays digital signals (including the ubiquitous ADAT format) the CONVERT-8 is ready to take on any mixing or monitoring job from standard stereo and 2.1 to 5.1 and the increasingly popular 7.1 surround format. Recognizing the needs of those who dont need more analog inputs, the CONVERT-8 brings todays very best digital-to-analog conversion within reach of any studio.

Our Next-Generation Converters

Dangerous has been building award-winning, standard-setting converters since 2002 when the Dangerous Monitors onboard digital-to-analog converter swiftly became the industry reference. Weve been asked over the years to build a stand alone DAC, and theyre finally here in the CONVERT series. Eager to embrace the opportunity to develop a new and better DAC, we designed the CONVERT-8 from the ground up, utilizing cutting-edge digital technology coupled to a Chris Muth designed analog circuit that delivers our signature sound: open, articulate and powerful from top to bottom. As a dedicated digital-to-analog converter, The CONVERT-8 has been optimized for the job of delivering stunning sound when mixing, mastering and monitoring while tracking. The CONVERT-8 goes beyond transparency: you wont just hear everything, youll hear it beautifully.

Its All About Implementation

While in theory most converters should be the same, among those who truly understand this hotly debated and endlessly researched area of audio technology, the mantra is implementation, implementation, implementation. How a converters components are selected, tweaked and assembled according to a specific design, and then tuned for superior performance within that plan is what sets a converter apart for better or worse. The Dangerous CONVERT-8 has been developed by a team of experts with deep, up-to-the-minute knowledge of digital and analog converter technology.

Fine Tuning The Analog Side

A legend among mixing and mastering engineers for decades, Chris Muth has designed the analog gear used to mix and master an endless list of hit records and classic reissues. Chriss powerful, articulate, hi-fi designs dominated the big studios in New York City since the 1980s, and via Dangerous his designs have become essential components in the best modern mixing and mastering DAW-based studios. When we set out to develop a new dedicated stereo D-A converter, Chris brought his relentless design philosophy and world-renowned sound to the CONVERTs analog technology. Not only did he develop the audiophile-grade analog audio path, Chris also meticulously fine tuned the low-pass reconstruction filters mandatory to implementing any DAC. These filters lie at the heart of how a converter will perform, and the CONVERT series has the jaws of top pros hitting the floor when they hear the big natural sound and the powerful, ultra-clear low-end.

Perfecting The Digital Side

We brought in digital guru Paul Messick to make sure the digital side of the CONVERT series would sing in perfect harmony with its finely tuned analog circuit. Paul rigorously refined the CONVERTs JetPLL ultra-low jitter clocking technology until it surpassed the JETs stated specs, resulting in the virtual elimination of jitter in the audio-band and beyond. Gone are the sonic headaches and end-of-day fatigue brought on by long-term exposure to jittery digital audio systems. The CONVERT-8s superbly implemented digital technology delivers such a natural, open and non-irritating sound that youll forget youre even listening to converted 0s and 1s.

Detailed Information & Delightful Inspiration

Reaching beyond transparency and accuracy, the sound of the CONVERT-8 is so open and 3-dimensional that many are saying that these are the most beautiful, natural sounding converters theyve ever heard. Whether your focus is tracking, mixing or mastering, when you choose a dedicated DAC, youre choosing the unit youll trust to make all your judgements. You need your DAC to be honest, but you also need it to sound beautiful. With the CONVERT you get the uncanny combination of detailed information and delightful inspiration. Coupled with any of our analog summing mixers or with your favorite console the CONVERT-8 not only assures that youll hear the best sound possible, but youll be printing that amazing sound into your final prints.

Your New Master Clock

Its no secret that many digital audio systems are slaved to the best sounding clock in the rack, and The CONVERTs customized JetPLL ultra-low jitter technology is winning shootouts again and again subsequently sending expensive external clocks into retirement. Simply use the Word Clock output and set the CONVERT into Master mode from the front panel, and all the digital gear in your studio can benefit from The CONVERTs cutting-edge Jitter Elimination Technology (JET).

Elegant Features

Our design philosophy includes a strict demand that our equipment be elegant and easy to use, and the CONVERT-8 exemplifies that philosophy. No menus, no cryptic multi-finger combinations to remember just clearly labeled single-function buttons.

Instant Input Calibration With industry-standard reference levels of -14, -16 and -18dBFS, you can recalibrate the CONVERT-8 with the push of a button. While many professional converters are only aligned at the factory, the Convert lets you move flexibly between different reference levels on the fly. Anyone whos ever fumbled around behind a rack with a tweeker tool while a second person watches an external meter knows the special value of our front-panel calibration buttons, especially when theres eight channels or more!

Automatic Sample Rate Detection Simply select Auto on the front panel and the CONVERT-8 will match its sample rate to the input signal. If youve ever started working at the wrong sample rate (weve all done it!), youll know why this feature can be so important. If youre swapping among different DAW sessions at different sample rates, the CONVERT will follow your every move.

On The Fly Input Switching Unique to the CONVERT series, you can now swap between multiple digital inputs on the fly from the front panel buttons. No more digging into elaborate menus and system settings just to listen to iTunes, no more rerouting software drivers just to hear a different output. And because the CONVERT can automatically lock to the incoming signals sample rate, you dont need to even think about sample rates as you switch between inputs. Four digital inputs include USB, AES/SPDIF, ADAT and Optical SPDIF (TOSLINK).

Essential 8-Channel Metering Aside from giving you instant visual confirmation of audio signal present across all eight channels, our 3-word-over indicator tells you when three consecutive samples have clipped, meaning youre a breath away from violating industry standards for CD reproduction and are about to generate clipping distortion that would be audible in any digital file.

Monitor ST Remote Connectivity Simply hook up our award-winning Monitor ST/SR Remote to the rear panel ports and youve got best-in-class desktop remote control over the CONVERTs front panel input selectors. Add the CONVERT-8 to your existing Monitor ST/SR rig to seamlessly add todays best DAC to your surround monitoring system.

Sacrifice Nothing.

If youre ready to add the worlds most articulate, open and natural sounding conversion to your studio, The CONVERT-8 will deliver the beautiful truth of all your digital signals into the analog realm without ever tiring you out. Contact a dealer to hear the difference and were pretty sure youll become a CONVERT.