Hi all,
In a Yamaha LS9-32 desk, a Yamaha-branded MY16-ES64 card in one of the slots adds 16 ins and 8 outs via Ethersound and a single SB168 stage box.
Adding a Yamaha-branded MY16-EX card in the other slot adds a further 16 ins and 8 outs, to be used via a second SB168 stage box in the same Ethersound network.
The two cards need to be connected together (externally) with with short cat5 / RJ-45 cables (a pest).
Finally, third-party Auvitran 'AVS Monitor' software on a laptop needs to be connected to the ES card temporarily, to configure the head amps (a pain).
We now have a 64 in and 32 out setup.
In an LS9-16 desk, which has only 1 expansion slot, the MY16-ES64 card simply adds 16 ins and 8 outs via Ethersound from a single SB168 stage box. The setup becomes 32+16 in total.
In this configuration in the smaller desk, the 2x RJ45 sockets on the ES card for linking to an EX card for a further 16+8, are redundant.
My question is, does the (somewhat cheaper) Auvitran-branded AVY16-ES card (without the 2x RJ-45 connectors) give the same end result as a Yamaha MY16-ES64, in adding 16 ins and 8 outs via Ethersound and a single SB168 stage box?
Are there any downsides in comparison, e.g. in head amp control and audio quality?
https://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/MY16-ES64-16-Channel-EtherSound-Network-Interface-Card/pidCMY16ES64
https://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/MY16-EX-16-Channel-EtherSound-MADI-Expansion-Card-for-the-MY16-ES64-and-MY16-MD64/pidCMY16EX
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/yamaha-auvitran-avy-16-es-ethersound-1837331119
All info and advice would be appreciated, many thanks.