I'm going to be listening to one of these with a view to buying fairly soon. Anyone have much real world experience with one? Pros and cons? If you don't like it, please suggest alternatives, but bear in mind that I need something with the option of ADAT / S/MUX connection.

never heard it.
but I've never heard anyone saying bad things about those.

check out gearslutz.com for sound files on this converter vs Lavry Blue, Ensemble, Benchmark, etc.

From what I understand they're very good value for the number of in/outs you get. Mind you'll have to purchase an additional card to get it into your computer or buy like an RME AES 16 or something...this adds to the expense.

I'd offer that unless you need all those outs go with a Lavry 2 Ch AD/DA, they are incredible and modular so you can add additional ins or outs later.

I have the aurora 16 and the lynx aes 16 card. I think it's great, it was a significant improvement from a motu 24i/o. Everything here was recorded with the lynx.

I already have an optical interface. Hence the requirement for ADAT or S/MUX connectivity. I do need that number of outputs and inputs because I tend to track a lot of stuff live and I mix on a desk in preference to a computer. I was originally thinking about a pair of RME ADI-8s but it seems like the Lynx is maybe a lot better for not a lot more money. I could get something from Apogee (XX16s) but I'd only be able to afford either in or out at the moment, and I kind of need both.

Re the soundfiles, I'll make my decision on sound when I can hear all the units in the flesh. I was thinking more about any advice to do with reliability and so forth. I've heard a couple of negative things about Apogee but I don't know much about the Lynx beyond the good reputation audio wise...

oh from what you say you definitely want the Lynx, you will not be dissapointed.