Digital Audio Denmark develops Multi-channel PCM/DSD/DXD Converter for Merging Technologies

Press release, May 2004.

Digital Audio Denmark (DAD) is providing the newly developed Axion Multi-channel PCM/DSD/DXD Converter as an OEM product for the Swiss based Merging Technologies. The Axion design has been adapted to fit the new Sphynx-2 converter in co-operation with Merging Technologies, thus being a unique state-of-the-art converter complying with the newest sampling formats, in particular DSD and DXD.

Uniquely for a DSD converter, the Sphynx-2 is an 8 channel integrated AD-DA interface offering the latest in chip technology from Cirrus Logic and advanced signal processing to produce what Merging and DAD describe as the most advanced and sonically pure converter ever developed.

The sample rate capability of this unit allows for 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, DSD 1-bit 64fs, DSD 1-bit 128fs and even supports the new Philips DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) 24 bit, 352.8 kHz format for SACD production. Sphynx-2 can also be soft controlled from within the Pyramix screen via a simple RS422 link using DAD's DADman PC remote control software.

The clever modular design of the Sphynx-2 offers 8 channels of A to D with the option of inserting up to two 4 channel D to A card resulting in the most cost-effective means of achieving 8 channels of AD-DA in 1-bit DSD. A range of audio interfaces for external equipment is available including MADI, SDIF, AES-EBU, and TDIF. Pyramix DSD users will likely opt for the MADI interface offering 8 channels of DSD/DXD in a single MADI link and allowing two units to be synchronised using a second MADI link for the Pyramix 16 channel DSD system.

More details can be found on the Merging web site: www.merging.com, or the Digital Audio Denmark web site www.digitalaudio.dk.