A100 BT5.0
https://kakaku.com/item/J0000035225/
The above is not compatible with MQA.
Technics new generation amplifier "SU-R1000" goes beyond "digital / analog controversy". Behind the scenes of high-quality sound technology talked about by developers
[PR] The "soul of pure audio" realized by the latest digital technology
Technics new generation amplifier "SU-R1000" goes beyond "digital / analog controversy". Behind the scenes of high-quality sound technology talked about by developers
PHILE WEB Posted on February 22, 2021
Written by Kenzo Koike
In the first part , we delivered an introduction and audition review of the Integrated Amplifier "SU-R1000", which is the first in the top reference class of Technics.
This time, we interviewed the people involved in the development of this unit, which will leave a big mark in the history of audio as a milestone of the technics brand. We will clarify the background of the product's birth, technical details and commitment. How should we interpret "digital amplifier"? What is the relationship between analog and digital? A big theme that audiophiles should reconsider is also emerging.
Using our own digital technology, we challenge to make an amplifier that is highly evaluated worldwide.
What impressed the revival of the technics brand in 2014 was the "reference class" "R1 series" with the ultra-class full digital amplifier "SE-R1", network audio control player "SU-R1", and speaker "SB-R1". It will be nothing but.
It's easy to imagine that once the curtain was over, it was technically and financially difficult for an audio brand to make a comeback with a pure system. The enthusiasm for the brand is not odd, and the R1 series is genuine and "flagship" in both name and reality.
What is the background behind the birth of the integrated amplifier "SU-R1000" from the same reference class as the flagship?
According to Mr. Taguchi, who is in charge of technics product planning, the SE-R1 takes advantage of the characteristics of a full digital amplifier and the low noise and low distortion performance that can be said to be the features of the original technology "JENO Engine", with clear sound, sharp sound image, and vastness. Realize the stage. This system has been well received, and it is said that it has been followed by later amplifier products such as "SU-C700", "SU-G30", and "SU-G700".
On the other hand, some point out the lack of driving ability and lack of energy. Especially in the SE-R1, such an impression may be stronger than the separate amplifier in the same price range because of its relatively compact size. According to Mr. Taguchi, as with the turntables such as the "SL-1000R", we wanted to make the amplifiers globally evaluated, so while taking advantage of the features of the JENO Engine, we used female to express low frequencies. It seems that he decided to put in.
As a result, the main measures for the realization of the new generation reference amplifier are "Active Distortion Canceling Technology (ADCT)" that corrects the distortion caused by the back electromotive force of the speaker in the power stage, and the power supply voltage even at the time of high power output. It is the two main pillars of high power digital amplifiers including "Advanced Speed Silent Power Supply" (AS 2 PS) with few drops.
By digitizing the power supply, it greatly contributes to weight reduction while ensuring high output. In addition, the integration of pre and power makes the signal path shorter, in other words, purer, which can be expected as a new merit.
In the first place, SE-R1 is designed to show its true value by connecting to SU-R1 with Technics Digital Link, that is, it is supposed to be used as a set. Considering that the range of choices for reference class amplifiers will be expanded and it will be easier to introduce, the pre-main format can be said to be reasonable.
In addition, the "Intelligent PHONO EQ," which makes the record experience, which can be said to be the ultimate in analog, leap forward with digital technology, sublimates the SU-R1000 into a unique existence.
A "new generation" digital amplifier realized by new technology
There are many enthusiasts who just hear "digital amplifier" and cause rejection. In my memory, the adoption of digital amplifiers began to increase from around 2000 AV amplifiers.
Digital amplifiers were a great new technology in terms of efficiency when trying to fit multi-channel high power amplifiers in a limited housing. However, since the sound quality was secondary, the "thin and hard" sound of that time still remained as an impression of digital amplifiers, and it seems that the recent "dislike of digital amplifiers" was created.
Of course, nowadays, due to technological improvements, the emergence of new technologies, and the skill of engineers, the number of high-end products is increasing. However, when trying to ensure the sound quality in the pure audio range, it is said that handling is more difficult than analog, and it is thought that this area influences evaluation and adoption.
Let's get back to the new technics. In the first place, JENO Engine is a very advanced digital amplifier created by Panasonic's comprehensive power, and it is not easy for others to catch up. In addition, the high-end technics model has extremely high originality and potential as a foundation, such as the adoption of GaN-FET (gallium nitride / semiconductor element) that enables high-speed switching and has low on-resistance as a driver for the power stage.
Furthermore, the newly adopted ADCT is digital by extracting the distortion of the power stage caused by the back electromotive force of the speaker while keeping the sound quality superiority that is extremely "pure" by the full digital and non-feedback of JENO Engine. And feed back the difference to the JENO Engine. It should be understood that it is completely different from the general "return" because it aims at improving the drive capability and low distortion without blunting the excessive characteristics of the music signal because it takes out only the distortion and cancels it. Introducing the new technology "AS 2 PS" to
the power supply section, which is the source of power . Switching power supplies, so-called digital power supplies, are more efficient than analog power supplies, but the processing of switching noise greatly affects the sound quality. By setting the switching frequency to an ultra-high speed of 400kHz, this unit separates far from the audio band (less than 100kHz) and achieves further low distortion by effectively filtering. According to Mr. Naohiro Minamata, who was in charge of the design around the power supply, interference is minimized by shifting the switching frequency of multiple power supplies installed in each block.
By the way, the frequency of 400kHz is the result of searching for the maximum practical use including the efficiency of power utilization. In principle, the high frequency can reduce ripple noise and is strong against instantaneous large current supply. A digital power supply specifically designed for pure audio. It's not just about supplying power, but when you think of it as part of the audio, it feels deep.
In addition, according to Mr. Mizumata, the analog input circuit is once converted to a 192kHz / 32bit digital signal, but the circuit has a discrete configuration and is carefully tuned to obtain a convincing sound. It is said that the screws are made of brass and the mechanism was designed in consideration of the ground, and the drive was carried out by torque management.
Even though it is a fully digital amplifier, the final sound quality is greatly influenced by analog factors such as how to take ground, control high frequency noise, and control vibration. The existence of senior engineers with high experience is indispensable to realize this area, and it can be said that it is due to the great wealth that Technics has cultivated over its long history.
By the way, the shield case of JENO Engine is also painted black, but it is brass instead of iron. It is a part where you can feel the commitment to non-magnetism and the commitment as pure audio.
A new frontier in analog playback, pioneering with digital technology
As the name suggests, the history of Technics is "Technic", that is, improvement by a technical approach is the key. In the olden days, the curiosity for scientific elucidation and improvement, such as the improvement of frequency characteristics, was engraved as DNA.
The ideas put into analog playback this time are all unthinkable without advanced digital technology. "Accurate EQ Curve" realizes highly accurate EQ processing by amplifying the audio signal with an analog circuit and then correcting the frequency characteristics to ideal characteristics with a digital filter. Compared to the analog method, in addition to the high accuracy that does not cause errors due to the variation of parts, it will be able to handle 7 types of curves including RIAA.
And the main feature is "Crosstalk Canceller". Since the record picks up the L and R signals with one needle, crosstalk is inevitable. It was the conventional "common sense" to make this a good analog taste, but Technics focused on this.
According to Mr. Tadayoshi Okuda, who is in charge of elemental technology development, this is inspired by the voice separation technology that Panasonic has been researching and developing for BtoB such as in-vehicle use.
For example, when making a call in a car, there are various sounds such as ambient noise and the voice of an interlocutor, and a technology for separating only the voice necessary for the call from them becomes important. By applying it to the separation of record crosstalk, it is an episode that can be said to be unique to Panasonic, which develops technology in various fields.
The essence of the technology lies in the method of generating a huge filter parameter of 32 bits each with 4096 taps. It takes a huge amount of time to minimize crosstalk, which can be said to be an error, but by using machine learning to generate filter parameters, highly efficient processing is achieved. The point is that even consumer audio equipment with limited processing capacity can effectively reduce crosstalk in a short time.
However, according to Mr. Okuda, simply diverting technology for BtoB did not work, and he conducted research and development for record applications. For example, in principle, in addition to dealing with the characteristics peculiar to records, such as the closer to monaural the lower the range, the hearing test was repeated and optimized as audio that emphasizes musical expression.
The actual effect is so dramatic that it can be called an "invention", it is also preferable as hi-fi, and the high degree of perfection is astounding. Not only does it not have to be done by just examining the logic on the desk, but it is also a finish that seems to be unique to technics in that it makes use of the sense of engineers who are familiar with audio.
I also got some hints on how to use it. Up to 3 learning parameters can be stored in this unit, but crosstalk is greatly affected by the azimuth of the cartridge, so it is recommended to calibrate again after replacing it.
When calibrating, the accuracy of the attached record containing the test sound is important, but it was also found that this was manufactured by Toyo Kasei, and the temperature and humidity at the time of delivery were taken into consideration. This kind of commitment can be said to be the "soul of pure audio."
Digital amplifiers began to be adopted with an emphasis on efficiency, and sound quality was secondary for a long time. This is probably the root of the current "dislike of digital eating".
However, it can be said that the debate about "digital or analog" is old in the present age when technology is advanced. In addition, digital technology allows for feats that are very difficult or unthinkable with a combination of analog technologies. How about starting with pure audio by softening your head and overcoming your dislike of digital eating?
Through the interview, I felt that digital technology and AI technology could continue to dramatically improve the audio experience. The beginning can be understood by general users when they touch the SU-R1000. I am looking forward to future developments.
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