Yamaha MY16-ES64 vs Auvitran AVY16-ES expansion cards (Ethersound LS9 / M7)

[grantr22]

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. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by grantr22

[Stuart91]

I've noticed Yamaha MC7cl desks going for remarkably little money second-hand. They've got built-in Ethersound ports, so an upgrade might end up costing you less money than a pair of cards for your LS9 and eliminates some of the faff with head amp configuration?

[Stuart91]

Actually, I tell a lie - it's only the M7CL-48ES model that has the built-in ports. The other (presumably more common) models have card slots like the LS9. 

Still, if you got a 48 input version it's only one card and stage box to add in order to get up to the 64-channel count. 

[Simon Lewis]

8 hours ago, Stuart91 said:

Still, if you got a 48 input version it's only one card and stage box to add in order to get up to the 64-channel count. 

If you mean the M7, it can't be expanded beyond its 48 channels, unlike the LS9 which can go from 32 to 64....

[grantr22]

9 hours ago, Stuart91 said:

I've noticed Yamaha MC7cl desks going for remarkably little money second-hand. They've got built-in Ethersound ports, so an upgrade might end up costing you less money than a pair of cards for your LS9 and eliminates some of the faff with head amp configuration?

Thanks @Stuart91 though I'm already invested in LS9 which is perfect for my needs, M7 is just too big and unnecessary for what I do.

[grantr22]

Any insight on my original question would be gratefully received 🙂

Edited November 8, 2022 by grantr22

[Stuart91]

13 hours ago, Simon Lewis said:

If you mean the M7, it can't be expanded beyond its 48 channels, unlike the LS9 which can go from 32 to 64....

Good point Simon, hadn't realised that.

 

 

[J Pearce]

On 11/8/2022 at 10:57 PM, Simon Lewis said:

If you mean the M7, it can't be expanded beyond its 48 channels, unlike the LS9 which can go from 32 to 64....

Though mixing 32ch on an LS9 is sufficient challenge for me not to consider attempting 64.

[Stuart91]

15 hours ago, J Pearce said:

Though mixing 32ch on an LS9 is sufficient challenge for me not to consider attempting 64.

That's partly what's got me wondering about these ex-production M7s as a cheap option for theatres that need a lot of faders. Saw one on Facebook Marketplace yesterday for £1500, and it seemed to be in decent condition.