M1 Tech Specs

M1 Tech Specs

tech specsAll the M1s share the same internal processing cards, so all have the same electronics. For the numerically minded, here are the M1's technical specifications:

Analogue Monitor Controller

  • Technology: Precision, passive balanced attenuator with high current output buffers. Bypass-able high impedance input buffers
  • Noise floor: -105dBu, 20Hz to 20KHz, unity gain
  • Maximum input level: +33dBu, without the optional high impedance buffers, +27dBu with them in place
  • Maximum output level: +27dBu balanced
  • S/N >135dBA (~4x quieter than any commercially available audio DAC)
  • THD -108dB at 1KHz, +20dBu signal, unity gain, 20Hz -20KHz filter
  • Input impedance: 3K ohms without input buffer, 40K ohms with input buffer
  • Output impedance: 47 ohms balanced outputs - unbalanced outputs available via the Headphone amplifier (see below)
  • Coupling: there is a single bypass-able AC blocking cap for monitor safety, DC on output is less than 0.5mV

Analogue Headphone Amplifier

  • Technology: Hybrid op-amp and discrete power transistors
  • Noise floor: -102dBu, 20Hz to 20KHz, unity gain
  • Maximum output level: +21dBu unbalanced
  • S/N >126dBA (more than any commercially available audio DAC)
  • THD -102dB at 1KHz, +20dBu signal, unity gain, 20Hz -20KHz filter, 600R load.
  • Maximum current output: 200mA peak, 150mA RMS
  • Maximum output power: ~1.5W into 120 ohms load.
  • Output impedance: 0.2 ohms.
  • Unbalancer: 3 stereo pairs of ground servoed amps are available to interface the console to unbalanced outputs.

Analogue Trimmer Amplifier

  • Technology: Precision, passive balanced attenuator with high current output buffers
  • Noise floor: -105dBu, 20Hz to 20KHz, unity gain
  • Maximum input level: +33dBu
  • Maximum output level: +27dBu balanced
  • S/N >132dBA (~4x quieter than any commercially available audio DAC)
  • THD -105dB at 1KHz, +20dBu signal, unity gain, 20Hz -20KHz filter
  • Input impedance: 3K3 ohms
  • Output impedance: 47 ohms balanced outputs - unbalanced outputs available via the Headphone amplifier (see above)
  • Coupling: there is a single bypass-able AC blocking cap for safety, DC on output is less than 0.5mV

Analogue Routing - monitor selector and insert box

  • Technology: Completely passive, gas sealed, balanced relay switched system.
  • Noise: not measurable, theoretically about -170dBu.
  • THD: not measurable.

Digital Signals

  • Technology: transformer isolated, active routed asynchronous router.
  • Switchable 75 or 100 ohm inputs
  • Switchable AES or SPDIF input and output levels
  • Sample rates: 44.1 to 196KHz compatible.
  • Bit depth: 16-24 bits compatible.
  • Jitter: no appreciable jitter is added or removed during routing. A low level input signal is however boosted to full level on output.

DA and AD Converters

  • Technology: SRC isolated converters working off their own internal clocks, balanced analogue stages, minimal configuration
  • 0dBFs: fixed at +18dBu
  • S/N: -120dBA A weighted. -117dBu 20Hz-20KHz
  • THD: -105dB, 20Hz- 20KHz 0.1dB below clipping
  • External ADC wordclock: 44.1 - 196KHz
  • I/O levels: AES or SPDIF I/O, link selectable
  • Conversion jitter: "Jitter free" IO - jitter doesn't affect THD performance

Physical

  • Remote racks: 2RU to 5RU, option specific
  • Control Panels: 173mm (7")high, 210mm to 420mm (8" -17") wide, option specific. Fits into 4RU space.
  • Weight: 12Kg to 25K, option specific.
  • Distance from racks to control panels: 6M (18ft) standard, up to 200M (600ft) with optional local PSU
  • Power consumption: 60W to 130W, options specific.
  • Power Supply: 12V via supplied external universal input (80V-250V AC) SMPS