AMS Neve StarNet ADA24

Mastering-grade 24×24 Dante analogue AD/DA converter designed for uncompromising audio quality and seamless integration into today's professional recording, broadcast, live sound, and post-production environments.

The StarNet ADA24 was created in close collaboration with engineers from the world's most respected recording facilities. Extensive blind listening tests and direct comparisons with leading AD/DA converters informed every stage of development. Ongoing feedback drove multiple refinements to both analogue and digital circuitry, ensuring the ADA24 meets the exacting performance, reliability, and sonic standards demanded by the world’s most elite studio environments.

Supporting sample rates up to 192 kHz with 32-bit integer resolution, the ADA24 delivers exceptional audio transparency. Mastering-grade A/D converters provide up to 119 dBFS of dynamic range, while D/A converters deliver up to 122 dBFS, ensuring detailed and accurate conversion across all channels. Selectable analogue headroom of +18, +24, or +26 dBu allows easy alignment with any professional operating level.

The ADA24 provides 24 balanced analogue inputs and 24 balanced analogue outputs via four rear-panel DB25 connectors, allowing straightforward connection to professional analogue equipment and studio patch bays. The analogue output stage uses the same balanced line-amplification technology as the Neve 88R console, delivering an analogue bandwidth in excess of 100 kHz and the ability to drive long cable runs without degradation. The balanced analogue input stage offers excellent common-mode rejection and pristine audio quality.

A modern low-drift crystal oscillator and precision PLL ensure stable, low-jitter clocking performance. Combined with DAC chips featuring built-in jitter elimination, the ADA24 can operate as a reliable master clock for a professional audio system. Synchronisation is provided via 75 Ω BNC word clock input and output connections.

Dual rear-panel Ethernet ports provide Primary and Secondary Dante connectivity, delivering the redundancy and resilience required in professional broadcast, live production, and large-scale installation environments. In the event of a network fault, audio continuity is maintained for mission-critical operation. Alternatively, the Secondary port can be used for switched-mode daisy-chaining, allowing multiple units to be integrated efficiently across complex studio, campus, or facility-wide audio networks.

A front-panel OLED display provides clear, at-a-glance system information including network status, sample rate, bit depth, headroom, clock source, and metering. Simple navigation buttons allow fast configuration, while dedicated LEDs display signal presence and clipping for all 24 analogue inputs and outputs.

Using Neve's ADA24 Remote App, analogue outputs can be remotely attenuated or muted across the network. This provides additional protection for connected analogue equipment and allows secure level control in complex or shared Dante systems.

An external power supply combined with internal fan-assisted cooling ensures efficient thermal management, protecting internal components from heat build-up and supporting long-term operational reliability.

In addition to the bar graph metering options, the OLED display can be used to interrogate the current Dante subscriptions assigned to the ADA16, allowing for local access to the system, a useful option when installed in large multi-room facilities.

Crafted with an external PSU design, the StarNet ADA16 efficiently dissipates heat, safeguarding internal components for an extended lifespan. This design consideration underscores Neve’s commitment to delivering robust and reliable audio solutions.