Digital sources > Sapphire CD-player



Faq
Why there are no digital outputs?
Because if you would like to use an external DAC, it would be better to invest in one and a separate transport
History

After the succes of the Model 192 CD-Transport, Model 192 DAC ed Extremo DAC we got many requests to realize also an intergrated cd-player at a lower pricerang.

05/2006
Presentation of a prototype of Sapphire at the Munich High End Show

09/2006
Presentation of the definitive version of the cd-player at the Top Audio & Video show in Milano

Finishes
  • Silver Satin
  • Concerto

Demo >        

Brochures
Specifications
Channel Separation Better than 110dB
Conversion Rate 192kHz, 24-bit
Digital to Analog Conversion Dual differential 24-bit DACs
Dynamic Range 96dB (10Hz-20kHz)
Frequency Response 10Hz - 20kHz, +0dB, -0,3dB
Intermodulation Distortion Less than 0,01%
Mains Voltage 100V, 120V, 220V, 240V, factory set for destination country
Maximum Output (0dBFS) 3.66V balanced
1.83V single-ended
Output Complement 2 male XLR balanced audio outputs
2 RCA single-ended audio outputs
Output Impedence 110 ohm
Power Consumption 25 watts maximum
Chassis Size 43,5 x 35 x 8,5 cm
Weight (with envelop) 12 Kg
 

Integrated CD-Player Sapphire

 
 
Sapphire-CD_thumb

On the long wave of success of our digital sources based on separate units (CD-Transport, DAC) we focused our interest on the integrated sources, the declared aim is to achieve even in this area the best sonic performance at a better money for value. The experience in the design of separate units allows us to fully understand what were the most critical elements and their influence on the final result; to optimize a single unit you need to understand not only how to make the best unit itself but also how to interface it at its best.
One example is the development in 2001 of a communication interface in standard I2S; this development was born from the need to overcome some limitations related to standard interfaces allowing also to extend the transmitted frequency at 192kHz with an error time ( jitter) very low.

An integrated source can be thought in this way: a disc reading unit and a digital-to-analog conversion unit communicating via a I2S bus. Thinking the integrated unit in this simple way is possible to use of all the solutions in use on separate units to optimize each section and link then with an optimized I2S bus.

But this is only an idealized vision of an integrated Player; thinking that the only way of communication between the different sections is the bus I2S is just an illusion. In a integrated unit many different paths exists through which the separated sections can interact between them.
These problems can be minimised by optimizing of the signals path (layout) and the voltage distribution at the different sections, that being all these precautions more important as we use highest performance electronic components. In Sapphire CD Player this attention to detail is summarized by a number: 16.0 bit resolution. This Player reaches the limits of the standard CD as attested by evidence in technical tests from the high end magazine Audioreview.

 

Features
  • High rigidity metal frame
  • High quality mains filter
  • Rubber insulated aluminium feet
  • Philips L1210 CD module
  • True balanced analogue output
  • Toroidal transformers with separated sections for digital and analogue supply
  • Double mono balanced analogue stage
  • Analog Devices AD1895 digital upsampler
  • Texas 2 x PCM 1796 DB DAC
  • High quality analogue stage design
  • Very low jitter system clock management

Images
Gallery

amplification system - amplificazione
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digital source - sorgenti
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© North Star Design Srl. - San Giuliano Terme (PI), ITALY - VAT N° / P.I. IT 01414910503 - tel / fax: +39 050 859166 - email:info@northstar.it