Aphex Systems debuts upgraded Anaconda digital snake at NAB

At the 2009 NAB Show, Aphex Systems released a new version of its Anaconda Digital Snake system. The new Model 828M features two MADI outputs as well as pass-through for digital audio at 96kHz sample rate via SMUX protocol.

The Model 828M Anaconda system is a point-to-point, 64-channel bidirectional audio snake comprised of two identical units on either end of a multimode fiber run. The Anaconda provides eight ADAT optical inputs and outputs on each unit and has two MADI outputs on BNC connectors. The 828M also offers an ultra-precision internal word clock; selectable external word clock, word clock distribution through eight BNCs; and a RJ-45 for control and metering. System latency is less than 50µs.

Each unit has two fiber transceivers, main and redundant. If either fails, the signal automatically is switched to the other. The transceivers use SC or ST connectors for use with readily available multimode fiber. Two internal power supplies automatically switch if one fails. The 828M units are designed to be mounted in the rear of a rack for ease of connection and space efficiency.

The updated Model 828M Anaconda provides two discrete outputs to devices that use the 64-channel MADI protocol, plus eight ADAT outputs. Also, with SMUX compatibility, 96kHz sample rate can be achieved with the standard halving of the channel count (32 maximum in each direction using SMUX).