CAST technology, how much do you know?
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:32 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 63
johnwmclean

johnwmclean

Aka: capone, bignurse.
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Current Audio Signal Transmission Schematic (CAST) is a revolutionary new audio signal transfer technology to challenge the the status quo which at the moment is typically balanced topology through XLR connections. Not much information exists from the quick google searches I’ve tried. I do know that the company Audio GD have adopted the technology into some of their product lines. Lets open this for discussion I’m eager to find out more
smile_phones.gif
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM Post #2 of 63
Krell invented CAST in 1999 (concept was used at least as early as 1991 by another company). Audio-gd gets sued 2010. Hehe jk.

Taken from HTGuide Forum - Audio opinions needed on Krell CAST & Current Mode technology

Quote:

For information purposes, the following information explains these technologies (taken from the Krell Evolution 505 SACD/CD Player Owner's Reference Manual):

CAST Basics

Here is how a CAST audio system works: Internally, each CAST source transfers, or amplifies, current using Krell Current Mode circuitry. This current signal is then output using CAST circuitry. When the signal is received by a CAST input, Krell Current Mode circuitry again takes over until the signal reaches the loudspeaker. By maintaining the musical signal in the current domain from beginning to end, an entire CAST system behaves as if it is one component. With CAST, circuit board properties and signal transmission aberrations between components are eliminated. Cable impedances and their effects on the transmitted signal are non-existent.

How CAST and Krell Current Mode Interact: While CAST is a new method of transferring the musical signal between components, its origin stems from Krell Current Mode, the technology developed to transfer the musical signal within a component. CAST combined with Krell Current Mode takes circuitry signal transmission to the next evolutionary level.

In essence, Krell Current Mode maintains the integrity of the signal within the component and CAST preserves the transmitted signal between components. Together, CAST and Krell Current Mode technologies unify separate Krell components into a single global circuit. Krell Current Mode technology enjoys bandwidth increases up to an order of magnitude greater than their voltage based counterparts.
This dramatic increase in circuit bandwidth delivers near perfection in the audible band that typically suffers from phase distortions in voltage circuits.


I recommend reading the thread I linked, pretty technical explanation inside.
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM Post #3 of 63
"CAST™, Evolution CAST™, and Krell Current Mode™ are trademarks of Krell Industries, Inc."

I'm no legal expert, but doesn't krell hold certain rights over their intellectual property? I always feel uneasy reading audio-gd's product descriptions.
"uses CAST technology that is in Krells top-end amplifiers"..
or
"..technology also use in MARK LEVINSON’s top-grade preamplifier... "
=/
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 1:17 PM Post #5 of 63
Personally I think it's just technology for the sake of giving the company something to 'market' to a gullible audiophile public in order to justify ridiculous prices. The whole pro-audio industry seems to do OK with balanced voltage-based interfaces. I don't know about you but I've heard some mighty fine music that has been nowhere near Krell / Cast equipment.
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 1:17 PM Post #6 of 63
JamesL: You took the mark levinson one out of context, I doubt that "current volume control" is proprietary property. I doubt audio-gd is breaking any rights in using CAST or current volume control otherwise I think they'd be told to stop.
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM Post #7 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by haloxt /img/forum/go_quote.gif
JamesL: You took the mark levinson one out of context, I doubt that "current volume control" is proprietary property. I doubt audio-gd is breaking any rights in using CAST or current volume control otherwise I think they'd be told to stop.


sincerely sorry.. I didn't read the whole paragraph myself. You have to admit that it's written in broken english =/

Though if it's ok for audio-gd to adopt it, and is that superior to conventional technology, then you'd think more high-end audio companies would have adopted it into their products.
I do think CAST has it's merits, but it seems hyped far beyond it's actual achievements. imo..
Then again.. most people purchasing these equipment are already deep deep into that kind of territory.
 
Aug 7, 2009 at 2:29 PM Post #8 of 63
We need more opinions on CAST cables vs. xlr and rca cables to know for sure, too few users at this time. It seems like people agree that there is less coloration when using CAST cables though.
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 8:22 PM Post #9 of 63
What's with high-fi audio without marketing hypes and bs? :)
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 8:52 PM Post #10 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL /img/forum/go_quote.gif
"CAST™, Evolution CAST™, and Krell Current Mode™ are trademarks of Krell Industries, Inc."

I'm no legal expert, but doesn't krell hold certain rights over their intellectual property? I always feel uneasy reading audio-gd's product descriptions.
"uses CAST technology that is in Krells top-end amplifiers"..
or
"..technology also use in MARK LEVINSON’s top-grade preamplifier... "
=/


Yes, CAST is a Krell trademark, and unless Audio-gd is using it with Krell's permission, they are in violation of Krell's trademark.

They've also basically copied a 20 year old SATRI circuit and use the "SATRI" trade name in their literature.

They do NOT have the permission of Bakoon Products to do this. This I got straight from Nagai san of Bakoon Products back on August 13th.

These practices are just plain sleazy if you ask me.

k
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 8:56 PM Post #11 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by haloxt /img/forum/go_quote.gif
JamesL: You took the mark levinson one out of context, I doubt that "current volume control" is proprietary property.


Nope. All that's doing is acknowledging that Levinson uses DAC-based volume controls.

Quote:

I doubt audio-gd is breaking any rights in using CAST or current volume control otherwise I think they'd be told to stop.


And I doubt that Krell has given them permission to use their trademark. And I know for a fact that Bakoon Products didn't give them permission to copy their SATRI circuit or to use the SATRI trade name.

k
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 9:17 PM Post #12 of 63
I know CAST is a trademark, not sure how legal it is for audio-gd to mention the name but it'd certainly be best if they stopped using the acronym. And I don't know about the legality of audio-gd using the SATRI trademark name and interestingly also using bakoon's circuit design for the bpm-7110 (send a pm to me if you want more info).
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM Post #13 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by haloxt /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Krell invented CAST in 1999 (concept was used at least as early as 1991 by another company). Audio-gd gets sued 2010. Hehe jk.


Chinese company getting sued for breaking American copyrights? They're are so mighty concerned about these intellectual property rights there.
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM Post #14 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by Koyaan I. Sqatsi /img/forum/go_quote.gif
And I know for a fact that Bakoon Products didn't give them permission to copy their SATRI circuit or to use the SATRI trade name.


What is the SATRI circuit responsible for?
 
Aug 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM Post #15 of 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by haloxt /img/forum/go_quote.gif
And I don't know about the legality of audio-gd using the SATRI trademark name and interestingly also using bakoon's circuit design for the bpm-7110 (send a pm to ipodpj if you need more info, or send me pm if you want what he sent to me quite a while ago).


I'm the one who EMailed Bakoon Products and relayed to PJ their response. So if anyone has any questions, just ask.

k
 
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