Prism Sound Orpheus - Audio Media

Inputs 1 and 2 have an M+S decode matrix that canbe activated, as do inputs 3 and 4. A full range inputlevel control sits next to the appropriate meter. If youhave inputs 1 and 2 set with input from a turntableon the front connectors, you can engage an RIAAde-emphasis filter instead of a high-pass filter.The Output tab has a similar layout for bothanalogue and digital outputs. This is where youcan assign outputs to the front rotary controlfor stereo or surround monitoring purposes.Analogue outputs are again individually switchablebetween +4/-10 next to their peak meters.With the digital outputs we have a few moreoptions. Variable word length with either TPDFdither or the Prism Sound SNS (Super NoiseShaping) algorithms, and if you are using the SRC(Sample Rate Converter) on the outputs, samplerate choice.At the bottom of this output screen, below eachoutput pair, is a box that allows you to select thefeed to those outputs. You can have a feed directlyfrom your DAW or from one of the other mixerpages. These selections can also be sent to yourheadphone outputs so that DAW and live inputs canbe mixed for latency-free monitoring.When it comes to the mixer tabs, you have afull mixer interface for each analogue output pair;also the stereo digital and headphone outputs.The interface is a straightforward mixer environmentwith the facilities you would expect. These allow youto set up feeds for low latency foldback mixes.There is a tab labelled Diagram that shows youa full colour signal routing picture, which is veryhelpful in understanding the full signal flow optionswith the Orpheus.Setup And UseI did not have the opportunity to install theWindows software, but did use both Inteland PowerPC install options for the Mac.Installation was very simple with the Orpheusinstantly recognised in both cases.The Orpheus can be used stand-alone as wellas with a host system. The unit stores the lastsetup it had even after powering down, so I usedthe software to setup the system in a few differentscenarios to test this out. It is a little odd as,without the software interface, you can only seeand control a limited number of elements, but thesystem worked as described each time, so you cansave a number of templates, set up your Orpheusquickly and go. In addition, there's an ADAT directmode, which makes the unitan Analogue-to-ADAT/ADAT-to-Analogue converter.The Orpheus software does take a bit ofgetting used to. The layout is as simple and clearas they can possibly make such a flexible system.Very responsive control and good metering areprovided, with the familiar Overkiller and SNSsystems working as well as ever.So how does it sound? In this regard I wasslightly surprised. This is a very subjective area ofcourse, but for me the Orpheus had the edge overthe converters in the ADA-8XR. I spent some timelistening to a variety of material, but with sessions(strings in particular), I would say that the Orpheusbrought out all the warmth and depth, missing noneof the high-end detail. This is marginal but, given theprice point of the Orpheus, very impressive indeed.Everything I expected from Prism Sound.Setting up a few overdubs with the mixerinterface on the Orpheus software to test the low orlatency free monitoring was, again, straightforwardonce you’d spent a little time with the system.The results were very good indeed with nonoticeable latency problems.The preamps are clean and transparent.There is no real noticeable character to these, justvery simple, clean, and efficient preamps that Iused and fed into a number of different sessionconfigurations very easily.I tested the other input options and features ofthe first four inputs including the M+S decodingmatrix and all performed exactly as expected,completely hassle free.ConclusionThere was no situation where I felt let down by theOrpheus. I love this box. Prism Sound has delivereda fabulous sounding, wonderfully stable andcontrollable unit in the Orpheus. If the Orpheuswas simply eight converters and nothing more,then I would still like it very much but, with theinput flexibility and software control, the Orpheusis an impressive and attractive package. ∫....................................INFORMATION£ GB£2,745.00 (exc.VAT),US$4,995.00 (exc.local taxes)PRISMA Prism Media Products Ltd., William James House,Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WXT +44 (0) 1223 424988F +44 (0) 1223 425023W www.prismsound.comE sales@prismsound.comAUDIO MEDIA MAY 2008 37