Technical blog topics
“Will I benefit from adding a DDC (digital to digital converter) and connecting it to S5 or AYA 5 A-link input, instead of using their USB input? Is A-link better than USB?” I am regularly receiving such questions. And here is the reply.
The use of signal coupling transformers requires a somewhat different approach to the system grounding.
By measuring standard low level performance at -60 dBFS (dithered sine wave), there was practically no difference between its regular 16 bit, and this 14 bit “mode” of operation. Noise floor, on the other hand, is somewhat higher, roughly speaking 6-12 dB, and that is what you would expect, given 2 bits difference.
Purely sonically, transformer coupled output has more calm presentation, with more quiet background, and somewhat more precise soundstage. On the other hand, transformers can lack some definition at the most bottom end. Still, possible benefits and shortcomings depend also on the environment.
Audial Model A uses cermet potentiometer as premium part. The reason is simple: cermet is sonically clearly superior to any other potentiometer type. Cermet potentiometers are still however relatively unknown, so more information follows.
Model A uses the low impedance shunt potentiometer. This article brings more details about this ultimate volume control.
Model A now sports copper plated copper binding posts. Here is why.
According to the common wisdom, the relation between the amplifier power and its sound quality may look like the relation of equivalence. “The more the better.” The truth is, the best sound quality is associated with certain working points, which also implies certain power. Insisting on (often redundant) power, actually can and does compromise the sonic properties.
A sum up of more than decade of designing and living with chip based power amplifiers.
Harmonic distortion is one of the basic and most common ways to objectify sound quality of audio device. Yet, there is no consensus on its audibility. Here are several examples of distorted sinewave, to help your own understanding.
Are bits still just bits? Actually, notable part of improvements achieved in the digital audio in last two decades happened due to designing for higher signal integrity criteria. So not that much for instance in the area of converter chips, which were during this time developed mostly to lower production costs. As a result, even if Philips D/A chips from 80’s are in many areas still unsurpassed, today it would be unimaginable for any serious design to repeat the layout or clocking schemes as they were done in Philips CD players from 80’s (or in the majority of players from that time, for that matter).
As a follow up to the previous article on transformers, here is how this part is done in the Model S USB. This is also the first public appearance of Model S USB interior.
A couple of most important points on mains transformers differences. Some of these probably counteract to what you have learnt on this topic before but, as one fellow audio enthusiast wrote in the early days of the internet (when internet was young and pure), “most things we could learn about hi-fi were simply wrong anyway”. Food for thought.
Audial DACs are famous for using all quality parts, and not one or two for marketing purposes. Still, is S1 (single crown) really better than plain TDA1541A (or non -A), and is S2 (double crown) then better than S1?
