Theta Digital Announces Next-Generation Two-Channel Digital-To-Analog Converter

8-Feb-02

Theta Digital, inventors of the outboard DAC as a product category, introduced the Generation VIII Digital-to-Analog Converter at the 2002 CES.Theta Digital has always been at the forefront of the ultimate digital music experience since the 1987 launch of the Generation Series. The Generation VIII is the culmination of years of refinement and development in digital audio technology, resulting in the most advanced DAC Theta Digital has ever produced. For the most accurate, defined, natural sound that digital has to offer, the Generation 8 offers several new features and sonic improvements over its predecessors. As is traditional of the Generation series, all previous models going back to the original DS Pre and DS Pro can be upgraded to the performance and features of the Generation VIII.The Generation VIII is a fully differential-balanced DAC, featuring custom designed, software programmable digital filters, feeding into four digital to analog converters per channel. Ultra high quality linear transformers are used for each individual input jack. Shielding separates the power supplies from all digital and analog processes to ensure clean power to each processing stage. Audio signals and digital clocks run high-speed balanced signals throughout the unit. Theta's exclusive ""jitter jail"" provides a choice of jitter control for freedom from the types of digital distortions that most degrade high quality playback.There are up to five digital input jacks (Toslink, AES/EBU, coaxial, BNC, and an optional optical) and each input can be assigned to one of the Generation VIII's five preset Input Select buttons. There is an additional stereo pair of analog inputs, with both singled-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) connections. An optional plug-in card set can be used for make the Generation VIII a complete preamp.The analog stage is fully discrete and Class A. Both analog and digital signal paths are truly balanced (fully duplicate, differential circuits.) Because of Theta's innovative balanced-to-single-ended summing technology, the Generation VIII will exhibit many of the same advantages of balanced operation, even when used in single ended mode. Using only the finest audiophile grade input and output jacks, the removable Teflon multilayer board ensures future upgradability for other interfaces and processes, proprietary and otherwise. There is an upgrade path to interface future digital connections from SACD and DVD-Audio devices.An RS-232 port allows control of the Generation 8 from specialized control systems from Crestron and AMX, as well as access for future software upgrades. The Generation VIII can also be slaved to the Casablanca II for ultimate quality home theatre installations. Options include AT&T optical inputs and Theta's proprietary Laser Linque input. The Generation VIII will be available in the first quarter of 2002. For more information, visit www.thetadigital.com.

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