News

ARCAM DiVA CD192 Upsampling Player (5/7/2004)

Advanced 24/192 Upsampling CD Player

As SACD and DVD-Audio fail to make any impact on the public, the demand for high-end CD players continues unabated and CD is not going away. For the foreseeable future it will continue to be the only viable format for music lovers who want choice and variety in their hi-fi listening.

The way to upgrade an existing CD collection is to buy a better CD Player and the new CD192 is one of the best, delivering a convincing challenge to far more expensive competitors.

- 24/192 upsampling
- 4 x Wolfson WM8740 DACs per channel
- high stability 3rd overtone clock
- DC coupled output stage
- 4-layer DAC PCB for ultra-low noise
- IR and 12v control inputs
- toroidal transformer PSU
- stunning sound quality

Charlie Brennan, Arcam's straight-talking MD said today; There's myth and magic in the CD player market, with some famous brands selling expensive boxes with low technology innards and surprisingly poor sound. We don't know of a better sounding CD player from any brand, at anything close to this price!

The Improvements

- new upgraded chassis
- new toroidal transformer and upgraded power supply
- enhanced 24/192 upsampling
- improved clocking stability
- upgraded audiophile components throughout
- and a lot more.

Upsampling

Upsampling is used to so that output filters can operate at frequencies way beyond the point of damaging sound quality. This also has the side effect of reducing time domain errors and improving transient response.

The result - a leaner, meaner and faster sound with greater definition and impact.

The CD192 is the highest performing CD player in the DiVA range, offering superior performance and better value than the competition. Arcam has been designing and building high performance CD players in its purpose built factory in the UK since 1986. All of this experience has been pulled together to make the CD192 the clear 'best in class' performer.

The CD192 is packed to the brim with audiophile components and features the latest advanced upsampling technology.

Four Wolfson WM8740 DACs convert the digital data to the analogue domain, the multiple DACs averaging out any errors that may be present in individual DAC ICs. Finally a DC coupled output stage and extremely accurate ultra-low jitter clocking system ensure a sound quality that is truly remarkable for a regular CD player regular CDs and sensational at this price.

The employed upsampling and DAC techniques effectively 'upgrade' any CD collection offering more detail, greater imaging and an overall more emotional portrayal of the music.

Audio technology

- Upsampling to 192kHz for improved phase and frequency response
- High stability 3rd overtone clock for low jitter to improve the stereo imaging
- 4 x Wolfson WM8740 DACs per channel to increase linearity and reduce distortion - DC coupled output with low DC offset servo to provide deep and controlled bass reproduction
- 4 Layer DAC PCB for improved low-level signal return paths and very low digital noise
- High quality op-amps from Analogue Devices and Burr Brown
- Audiophile grade decoupling capacitors (Stargate and Oscon)
- Low dissipation factor polypropylene capacitors in the output filters (WIMA)

Operation

- Compatible with CD and most CD-R and CD-RW discs
- Displays CD Text information
- Infra Red remote control via supplied handset or industry standard 3.5mm jack
- Unit standby control via 12v rear panel 3.5mm jack

General

- 4-layer fibreglass DAC circuit board for best audio performance
- Low noise power supply with toroidal mains transformer
- Back panel mains voltage selector (230v/115v)
- Size 430mm wide, 290mm deep, 85mm high
- Weight 4.6kg (10.12lbs)

The DiVA range is available in silver or black. Price £849.90.

www.arcam.co.uk