Cirrus Logic boosts its Pro Audio line up, invites George Massenburg to blind test

Cirrus Logic has announced its most ambitious expansion of the Pro Audio family yet, unveiling four new converters—including two analog-to-digital (ADC) and two digital-to-analog (DAC) chips—engineered to bring world-class sound to mid-tier audio products.

“These new additions reflect our dedication to delivering innovative solutions that balance performance and affordability,” said Jonathan Taylor, Pro Audio Product Marketing Manager at Cirrus Logic. “By broadening our portfolio, we’re giving customers access to our technology not only for high‑end products but also for mid‑tier devices—ensuring consistent, outstanding quality across all levels of audio equipment.”

The flagship ADC, CS5308S, packs a 32‑bit, 8‑channel design, supporting up to 768 kHz sampling and delivering a dynamic range exceeding 118 dB with THD+N below –105 dB—all while consuming just 25 mW per channel. It accommodates differential inputs and offers flexible control.\\

Its sibling, the CS5304S, shares the same core architecture but in a 4‑channel format, catering to applications where a full 8‑channel design isn’t required. High channel density without compromising fidelity is a key selling point for audio interfaces and digital mixers looking to scale cost‑effectively.

All four converters include Cirrus Logic’s “Hybrid Gain Control,” empowering precise gain staging, and offer differentiated digital filters—letting developers tailor a converter’s sonic character to their application’s needs. The combo of high efficiency and low power consumption aligns well with modern, compact audio gear.

Industry experts sing their praises

Grammy‑winning engineer and inventor George Massenburg, renowned for spearheading the parametric EQ, participated in blind listening assessments pitting these converters against top-tier studio-grade designs. 

“In a recent series of critical listening tests, Cirrus Logic’s Pro Audio technology stood out conclusively against high-end, industry-recognized studio converters,” said George Massenburg, Grammy Award-winning recording engineer, producer, designer, inventor, educator, and CEO and founder of George Massenburg Labs. “Cirrus Logic’s dynamic range, transparency, and fine detail converge brilliantly with their relative ease of implementation — these are no less than the future of converters for professional audio applications.”

“It’s inspiring to see Cirrus Logic continue to explore the boundaries of converter art and science with enthusiasm, and with innovations that promote the art of music and sound recording,” Massenburg continued. “Knowing that the new ADCs and DACs are based on the same extraordinary IP, I’m confident they will charm hearts and souls of listeners, critical and casual, with their musicality.”

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