Black ASC2 / MPS1

Black is a 3-chassis integrated hybrid system comprising the ASC2 System Controller and 2 MPS1 DAC/amplifiers. Its design addresses the way the signal passes through the various stages of the electronics, with the aim of preserving the recorded musical event and the artist’s intent.

The chassis are constructed from solid, high-grade billet aluminium. Black accepts a range of sources and is designed for flexible, straightforward operation. Its architecture is intended to provide a present, naturally dimensional musical presentation.

The BLACK system architecture incorporates Bel Canto electronic and mechanical design solutions intended to protect delicate audio signals. Digital processing and asynchronous interfaces are driven by Ultra Low Noise Master Clock circuitry, preventing external source noise from corrupting, modifying or colouring the original signal.

Bel Canto’s ST fibre interconnect electrically isolates the ASC2 from the rest of the system, helping to prevent external noise from affecting the sensitive analogue stages in the MPS1 monoblocks. This removes ground loops and reduces electrical noise pickup from environmental RF sources, including WiFi, Bluetooth, computers and cell phones.

The ASC2 is the second-generation control unit and the heart of the BLACK system. It is a Master Clock and Controller rather than a digital-to-analogue converter. It can be described as a digital preamplifier, with analogue and digital inputs and a digital output. Its programmable display can be configured to show the preferred information or switched off.

Volume and input selection are controlled by the multi-function rotary wheel on the top of the ASC2. The system can also be operated using the custom IR remote control, an iPhone or iPad, and the custom iOS app. Pressing the master control once and rotating it adjusts the input, while pressing and holding it opens the menu for system configuration.

The ASC2 is an all-digital asynchronous controller with galvanically isolated inputs, designed to prevent noise from affecting the audio signal from digital, networked and analogue sources. Its 64-bit DSP processor core manages system functions, 32-bit volume control and custom FIR filters. The custom ULN Master Clock circuit uses ultra-low phase-noise clocks with independent power supplies, measuring below 40 femtoseconds to maintain very low phase noise and jitter.

The ASC2 handles networked audio through UPnP Ethernet, USB2, a suite of S/PDIF and AES digital inputs, and an analogue line input digitised by a high-performance 24/192 ADC positioned 2 cm from the input connector. DSP-based control and custom filter functions are contained within the ASC2, along with tone and level controls for system adjustment. The signal is then prepared for digital optical transmission to the MPS1 monoblocks.

The MPS1 combines ultra-low-noise clocking, digital-to-analogue conversion, Bel Canto Class A amplifier stages and a custom 1,200-watt power buffer. The digital signal from the ASC2 is asynchronously re-timed before conversion in the fully balanced segment mono DAC, which combines multi-bit and delta-sigma technologies. It measures below 0.0005% distortion and provides 130 dB of dynamic range. The DAC’s high-current output is coupled directly to the I/V stage, with Bel Canto’s custom amplification following within 3 cm.

The buffer stage is a discrete, low-gain, low-noise design capable of driving 40 A peaks into a 2-ohm load. It adds virtually no noise or distortion to the voltage amplifier output. The power stage uses 4 high-current MOSFET devices in an efficient self-oscillating analogue switching architecture. The chassis isolates the critical analogue stages within a controlled environment for consistent operation under real-world system conditions.

The BLACK system combines its signal-processing, clocking, isolation and amplification technologies to minimise potential signal loss and preserve the detail, speed and musicality of the original recording.