Audiophile
Topology
The CD32 Compact Disc player is
housed in an alloy heavy gauge steel
chassis, which provides strength,
rigidity, and screening, while being
effective at damping vibrations from
external sources. From the CD
transport we extract the AES/EBU (balanced
SPDIF) signal and feed it to a
SRC4382 sample rate converter (converts
to 96kHz), which incorporates jitter
suppression capabilities, ensuring
that the DACs receive as a clean
digital signal as possible. The
SRC4382 also provides the option to
select either up sampling to 96kHz
or bypass (44.1kHz). The CD32 uses
two high-performance Burr-Brown
PCM1704 DACs in conjunction with a
DF1706 digital filter – one of the
best true multi-Bit
digital-to-analogue converter/digital
filter combinations available. The
current to voltage conversion stage
is fully discrete (no Op-amps) and
ends in a single-ended output stage
consisting of a single MOSFET
transistor driven by an active
current source (preferred to passive
resistors). The CD32 contains no
capacitors in the signal path: a
DC-servo takes care of any DC offset
present in the circuit or from the
DACs. SMD technology and separate
PCB modules are used throughout the
design in order to keep the signal
paths isolated and as short as
possible.
Transport
The CD32 uses a dedicated
CD-transport incorporating a Sanyo
laser and is not built around a
multi-format CD/DVD-ROM interface.
The Toshiba based servo circuit
incorporates a five second FIFO
memory in order to provide the best
jitter suppression and protection
from mechanical shock.
High Performance Power supply
In order to meet the latest
standby power consumption standards,
the CD32 incorporates a switch mode
power supply for its microprocessor
circuit. However all the analogue
and digital audio circuits are
supplied from a R-core transformer
with separate windings for
mechanical, analogue and digital
circuits. These voltages are closely
regulated by a discrete power
regulation circuit comprising L-C
filters and discrete components.
This high performance circuit (low
ripple etc.) ensures that more than
enough regulated power is available
to reproduce with accuracy even the
deepest sonic transient capable of
being recorded on a compact disc.
This power supply configuration
together with carefully designed
ground planes and paths, separated
circuit boards and discrete
current-to-voltage conversion gives
the CD32 the especially clean
wideband audio performance expected
by audiophiles all over the world.
Display and user features
The player incorporates a white
modern OLED display, which is
isolated from the audio circuits by
the front panel design. During play
the display will auto-dim to a point
where it is still readable without
disturbing the listening experience.
When connected to the I32 via IR,
the CD32 and I32 display brightness
will match. The CD32 sample
frequency can be switched between
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz. The
CD32 will play MP3/WMA over disc or
USB in conjunction with
comprehensive track programming
abilities.
Inputs/Outputs
Inputs: USB interface; IR input
3.5mm; RS232; Trigger in/out 3.5mm
Outputs: Balanced (XLR) and
unbalanced RCA analogue outputs are
provided together with professional
AES/EBU, SPDIF and TOS-link digital
outputs. RS232C, IR as well as
trigger connections are available
for successful integration with home
automation systems.
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