[COLOR=3399FF]Measurements vis-à-vis sound quality - part 2[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Part 2: So what is our approach?[/COLOR]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]So there you have it. Measurements shed not much light on sound quality is our core belief. And that’s the key reason behind why we measure minimally and audition maximally. And we mean a lot of man hours.[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]As for our somewhat different stance, this is how we prefer to approach things:[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]1. To listen, listen and then listen even more, systematically and blindfolded as much as possible. [/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]2. To show the internal components and the changes where we apply in our products.[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]3. To let people to listen and decide for themselves if they like the sound of the product or not. ‘Under the hood’ knowledge and personal experience is all they need. [/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]OK, but to say that one has to listen isn’t good enough for many enthusiasts. As discussed previously, measurements aren’t very helpful outside of our skunkworks, hence let’s leave these to one side for the moment.[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]But we understand that some of you need something direct, a proof and a basis of an improvement from one model to its next iteration. This we can happily provide. Below you’ll find two sides of Micro iDSD Black Label’s PCB. These show the exact internal components which were upgraded in comparison to the original iDSD model. Yes, 34 elements in total are behind why (thankfully!) people are hearing for themselves from customers who have taken a ‘sip’ of our own Black Label. [/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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The Digital Engine:[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]D1. [/COLOR]DAC[COLOR=333333] Power supply upgraded with iFi custom ultra-low noise Operationsverstärker OV2028[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]D2. [/COLOR]DAC[COLOR=333333] reference voltage decoupling changed to Panasonic audio-grade ECPU film capacitors[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]D3. Digital power supplies upgraded with ultra-low impedance Panasonic OSCON capacitors[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]D4. GMT® Femto precision clock system power supply upgraded for super low phase-noise/[/COLOR]jitter[COLOR=333333]
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The Analogue section:[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]A1. Analogue section upgraded with iFi custom low noise FET input Operationsverstärker OV2627[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]A2. Analogue power supplies upgraded with Ultra-low impedance Panasonic OSCON capacitors[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]A3. 3D+® performance-tuned[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]A4. XBass+® performance-tuned[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]A5. Re-designed Output Stabilisation network for less distortion[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]For 3D+® & XBass+® we adjusted based on wide ranging customer feedback after a period of field testing different adjustments.[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]The next step is in the listening.[/COLOR]