Z-Systems z-8.8/8.0.0 Digital Detangler, all AES on XLR connections

z-8.8 functions as a digital audio patchbay, a distribution amplifier, a router, a format converter, and a channel switcher, all in one box.

If you have more than a couple of pieces of digital audio gear, you've probably found that getting them all hooked up and talking to each other is no simple task. Furthermore, you've probably found that re-configuring your set-up for different users or different modes of operation can be a real nightmare. The z-8.8 is designed to seamlessly integrate and re-configure your digital audio workplace.

For example, let's say you have several A/D and D/A converters, a couple of DAT machines, a CD transport, a digital audio workstation, and a couple of outboard effects processors. There are conceivably many different ways you would want to hook these devices together, depending on which source might need to feed which DAT machine, workstation, or D/A converter. Furthermore, if a single source needs to feed multiple destinations at the same time (e.g., an A/D converter feeding several DAT machines, a workstation, and a D/A converter for monitoring), daisy-chaining these destination devices is an unsafe and unreliable way to go. Matters are only complicated further if some of the devices have AES/EBU inputs and outputs, other devices have S/PDIF inputs and outputs, and still others have optical inputs and outputs.

The z-8.8 offers a solution to all of these problems. We offer a number of standard configurations and can custom-build to meet your particular needs a unit with any number of AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and optical input and output ports (4 AES/EBU, 2 S/PDIF, and 2 optical tends to be quite popular). Once configured as you require, you would hook up all of your digital audio sources and destinations to the z-8.8's rear panel. The connection pattern is then simply established by the touch of a few buttons on the unit's front panel.

The z-8.8 can distribute single sources to multiple destinations simultaneously and it can channel-switch between multiple sources to a single destination. Or, it can distribute and channel-switch at the same time. If the unit is equipped with different formats, it will make the electrical format conversion as necessary between ports. Also, the unit is fully asynchronous which allows it to handle multiple sample rates at the same time.

Product Specifications

Input and output connectors: as configured, RCA or BNC,XLR, and Optical (TOSLINK)
Input and output impedance: 75 ohms (coaxial) and 110 ohms (XLR)
Input and output resolution, SNR, THD+N: what comes in goes out!

All Z systems products and built to order , made in the USA. Lead time is 3 to 7 business days.

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