In this era of profound changes in high quality audio, the new Maestro Digital Audio Processor offers the final word in the debate over improvements to 16 bit digital sound. With its no-compromise performance and superb craftmanship, it fully reflects the Audio Analogue philosophy that every product should be a winner both in quality and value for money. Benefiting from the latest developments in digital sound processing, the new Maestro Digital Audio Processor provides true 96kHz/24bit D/A conversion via two Analog Devices AD1855 DACs used in parallel, for every type of digital signal. This means that even the normal CD signal is effectively converted at high resolution.
Responsible for this great improvement in D/A convertion is the Crystal Semiconductors CS8420 high performance sample rate converter, so far seen only in professional studio equipment.. The sample rate converter turns the digital signal into a high resolution signal (also digital) to be sent to the D/A converters with extremely low jitter, thanks to the high precision crystal oscillator used as reference.The D/D convertion process implies the creation of true 24 bit samples: for this reason, the two DACs receiving the high resolution signal always work at their best, providing the output analog stage with the best possible signal. Of course, when the signal to be converted is already 96 kHz or 24 bit, it retains its base quality performance, but the benefits of the sample rate converter will be heard in the improvement to other performance parameters such as jitter and distortion. The analog stage is designed, following the best Audio Analogue tradition, using only finest quality discrete component: polypropylene and Os-Con capacitors, high precision (0.1%) low noise resistors, and high linearity field effect transistors (FETs). The design of this vital part of the CD player circuitry implies wide open-loop bandwidth and low overall feedback to give perfect behaviour with transients as well as crystal-clear detail resolution. The circuit offers both unbalanced outputs via gold plated RCA connectors and balanced outputs using XLR sockets. The Maestro Digital Audio Processor takes the concept of versatility- already seen in the previous Maestro CD player -on to a higher level. By means of a pushbutton on the front panel, it is possible to choose whether to listen to the signal from the internal Maestro Digital Audio Processor CD transport or the one from an external digital source through the Maestro Digital Audio Processor digital input (able to work up to 96kHz/24bits). In either case, it is possible to modify the digital signal’s features prior to sending it out of the Maestro Digital Audio Processor, or even to switch the digital output off, to prevent any interaction between it and the analog stage.
A special "loop" option is available that allows the signal from the CD transport to be digitally processed before being sent to the D/A converter: therefore digital equalizers, reverb or delay units, or "magic" boxes to correct the loudspeaker response can be used in order to improve your system’s performance. The CD transport and control board are also the result of an exhaustive optimisation process. The extremely rigid support structure combines excellent mechanical performance with perfect shielding from the RF signal being processed by the control board beneath the transport. Finally, the sophisticated power supply uses two toroidal transformers, one of which powers exclusively the analog circuits. No less than nine regulators guarantee a perfect supply to every part of the Maestro Digital Audio Processor’s complex circuits. Naturally, such a wealth of advanced electronics features are matched by top class mechanical engineering. The chassis is made of 3mm-thick sheet-steel allowing perfect isolation from both mechanical and electromagnetic interference. The 2cm-thick silver satin aluminum fascia is surrounded by a satin black counterplate, giving the Maestro Digital Audio Processor an elegant, robust and purposeful appearance. The VFD display ensures good readability in all types of lighting. The IR remote control handset supplied with the Maestro Digital Audio Processor offers total control of the machine`s functions.
...Enjoy the Audio Analogue sound! |
