OK, so here is the scoop as to what we will have new for the AudioKarma show, and why I urge you to come see and listen to us there.
We will be showing two complete new prototype full differential audio systems, one Ultra hybrid system, one OmegaStar solid state system.
First of all, what do we mean by a full differential system?
This is a system in which there are both + and - left and + and - right signals maintained separately from the source to the speakers. Assuming that all the + and - electronics are carefully matched, all of the distortion components from anything earlier in the audio chain arrive at the speakers exactly of equal amplitude but out of phase and completely cancel! The result is essentially a distortion free system, not matter what the source of the distortion was, no matter whether you can measure it, understand it, or have even tried to design it out. Voila! Its all gone.
Its kind of an extreme version of a balanced line system, except that almost all balanced line systems are actually single ended internally, so the advantages of full differential operation are negated.
It requires a full differential DAC, coming from the actual DAC chip output with four independent channels, + and - left, and + and - right. We have it, our new Ultra Differential DAC. It simply takes normal coax digital in and has four audio outputs, + and - left, and again, + and - right. The DAC contains the newest Wolfson digital chips, and four identical Ultra hybrid analog filter/output circuits.
Then it requires a full differential preamplifier. This needs + and - left and + and - right channel inputs from the differential DAC, and additional normal stereo inputs from other sources. For more mundane stereo analog sources, the Ultra differential preamp also provides internal inverter circuits to convert these to differential operation, so the advantages of distortion cancellation can occur from thereon downstream. The preamp at this point requires two matched two channel volume controls, one for left channel and one for right channel. We have this all done, tested, packaged, and working perfectly too, the Ultra Differential Preamp. It contains four identical Ultra hybrid line circuits and their necessary power supplies plus the inverter circuits for stereo sources. The preamp has differential outputs, + and - left and + and - right channels to feed two matching power amplifiers in the differential mode.
Finally the system requires two matched stereo power amplifiers. The connections are the same as in bridge mode operation, with the speakers coming from the left and right hot connections. The + and - signals are finally summed at the speakers. Of course one further advantage is that with a pair of Ultra 550 amplifiers, you have over a kilowatt of power available per channel.
We also have complete solid state OmegaStar Differential Preamplifier/DAC up and running. Because the solid state circuit take so much less real estate, we were able to install the Wolfson digital circuits, four OmegaStar DAC analog filter circuits, four OmegaStar line circuits and the additional inverter circuits all in one Ultra SL size package. Simply add two identical amplifiers and be astonished. We also hope to have a complete OmegaStar differential amplifier available in time for the AudioKarma show. This packages four 120 watt per channel OmegaStar solid state amp circuits in one of our amp chassis. It has left + and - and right + and - inputs, and differential outputs for a pair of speakers. Three hundred plus watts per channel and a completely done deal.
Oh yes, how does the stuff sound? A profound improvement everywhere. Bass extension and impact and transparency, musicality, total freedom from grain and edge, huge image and stage, highs that go out forever, absolutely pleasing to listen to. After you experience it, you can't go back.
See you at Detroit.
Frank Van Alstine
P.S. We will also be showing the new speaker wires that Mark Funk sent me. Another amazing surprise.
