![]() The Transient Two modules connect directly to the outputs without an extra analogue stage, so volume control in the Jade is achieved by raising and lowering the reference voltage over the R2R circuit. Far more expensive than the chip DACs found in many converters that sometimes sell for more than double the price of these units. Non-oversampling and non-filtering ladder DACs are generally considered to be the best available and are found in the majority of high end converters, but they are also the most expensive if done properly. Two of these mono modules are needed for stereo and are doubled up for balanced signal handling. Metrum’s Transient Two modules each contain their highly regarded R2R ladder converters with forward correction and true 24-bit capability. On the inside you find a main board with four Transient DAC Two modules, a piggy back board for the USB input, a PCB behind the front panel and a power supply. The casings, made of aluminium and steel, are compact and available with silver or black front panels, the smaller and simpler box helps to keep costs down. But as long as the DAC stays connected to mains, the output is never disconnected. You don’t want to blow up your precious loudspeakers not realising that volume is up too far. ![]() Note that you need the remote at least after every mains disconnection to activate the outputs for safety reasons. The Jade with the volume control in the middle has extra connectors on the back to switch on/off Metrum Forte amplifiers, one or a pair, and only one push button to switch between inputs. The Onyx has five push buttons with indicator LEDs and a remote eye with an error light above it. ![]() On the back you get inputs for Toslink (24/96), Coax and AES/EBU (24/192) and USB (24/384), next to balanced outputs on XLR and unbalanced on RCA. The Onyx and Jade are nearly identical inside and out, the main difference is a fixed output for the Onyx and a variable output for the Jade. This gap has now been filled with the Onyx and Jade converters, derived from the Adagio and Pavane models with almost the same features and very high performance. For a long time Metrum Acoustics could only supply digital to analogue converters (DACs) at either end of the scale, they made expensive ones and relatively affordable examples but there was nothing in between. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |