Hilo-TB and Aurora-TB models will be released at the same time.

"The LT-TB has been in development for over a year. At Lynx we opted to wait a little longer and develop with the new Cactus Ridge second-generation Thunderbolt controller. This device allows for a more robust design electrically," stated Bob Bauman, Lynx cofounder and chief hardware designer. "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 will assure that LT-TB works well with any other certified Thunderbolt product on the market. It's a long process, but end users will definitely benefit from the ease of use in the long run."

At the same time that the LT-TB is released, Lynx will introduce several converter models using this interface. These include the Hilo-TB, Aurora 8-TB, Aurora 16-TB and Aurora 16-VTB models. In addition, any existing Hilo or Aurora owner can implement an LT-TB to their converter with an easy and free firmware update. The LT-TB and accompanying Aurora and Hilo models are the first Thunderbolt audio devices certified for Windows as well as Mac.

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," explained Lynx co founder and chief software engineer David A. Hoatson. "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 delivers 10 gigabits per second speed, twice the speed of USB 3.0. Thunderbolt™ technology is the fastest connection to your PC at 10Gbs – in each direction, and at the same time. Thunderbolt provides flexibility and simplicity by connecting to data and display devices with a single cable, up to six devices in a daisy-chain.

Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and other countries.

LT-TB Brochure