Perpetual Technologies Introduces High-Performance Digital-To-Analog Converter

Perpetual Technologies unveils the P-3A Digital-To-Analog Converter, a Delta-Sigma DAC uniquely designed for todayís new era of higher bit-rate digital sources. The P-3A is flexible, reliable and a t a suggested price of $599, very affordable, ensuring the best performance from the latest digital formats. The P-3A supports 24/96, 24/192 and DSD decoding.""Our products are designed to challenge the best products in the market, state-of-the-art components for which price is no object,"" said Perpetual Technologies President, Mark L. Schifter. ""Weíve put an extraordinary effort into making the P-3A the best affordable DAC made, and believe it will compare favorably to products costing $3,000 or $4,000. Our internet-direct consumer model will allow us to offer incredibly high-end products at affordable price points."" Perpetual Technologies is a Web-oriented company based in Louisville, Colorado, that supports a wide distribution network and modest retail dealer base, while also selling directly to consumers.The P-3A includes a fully differential Class A output stage driven by a Burr-Brown OP627, and guarantees the most accurate and realistic performance possible, attaining 120db dynamic range with ñ100db total harmonic distortion and noise (THD+N). In designing the P-3A, only the best digital conversion microprocessor, the Crystal Semi Conductor CS4397, was even considered by Perpetual Technologies, due to the chipís ability to provide 24-bit conversion at any sampling rate: 44.1-, 48-, 96- and 192kHz.In performance, the P-3Aís built-in sample rate converter is set to always feed 96 kHz data to the DAC. When used in I2S mode with the companion P-1A, a full 24 bits at 192 kHz sampling is realized. The P-3A also features low-clock jitter thanks to its use of three precision oven-controlled crystal oscillators that generate a stable reference frequency clock for all conversions.The P-3Aís coaxial, I2S and AES/EBU inputs are each galvanically isolated via transformer coupling, and switched through and RS-422 control chip. Please note that the I2S bypasses the standard S/PDIF receiver and is fed straight to the DAC, main possible sample rates up to 192 kHz for DVD-Audio or, alternatively, for DSD as it becomes available.The P-3A is cosmetically matched to Perpetual Technologiesí new P-1A DSP Correction Engine, and is the only DAC capable of extracting every benefit the P-3A can produce. The P-3A is inserted onto the audio chain after the P-1A and before the preamplifier.The P-3A will be available in March 2000 for a suggested retail price of $599.

For more information, phone 303 543 7500.