MEDUS

MEDUS is a stereo 24 Bit/192 kHz Digital to Analogue Converter designed with the aim of keeping an absolutely uncompromising audio signal path. Much detail and thought was spent on the digital input as well as the analogue output stage. Both have in common the purest possible approach in audio design, aspiring for nothing less than excellence. This is coupled with an ergonomic design that gives the user immediate access to all necessary functions, while keeping an uncluttered and thus easy-to-use front panel. This combination makes a truly professional D/A converter catering for the highest expectations.

The MEDUS works with AES/EBU, S/DIF, USB and Firewire (optional) inputs and handles PCM as well as DSD signals. An IR remote unit controls all functions.

Mechanics
The MEDUS employs a twin metal frame. The inner chassis is made of steel and acts as a very effective shield against electrostatic and electromagnetic radiation. The outer frame is made of massive anodized aluminium for additional shielding, resulting in optimal heat convection and beautiful looks.

Power Supply
A powerful non-switching power supply is used. All sensitive voltages have their own regulators which are separated between left and right channels. The result is an analogue output free of “digital noise” and channel crosstalk. The power switch activates a semiconductor relay which only switches on or off at zero crossings of the mains voltage. This assures a glitch free power switching. The mains transformer sits in a mu-metal shielding box.

Synchronization
The MEDUS is synchronised by the input signal present at the selected input. Several signal re-clocking schemes are combined for extremely high jitter attenuation down to subsonic frequencies, making the MEDUS virtually immune to jitter. With the USB or Firewire inputs the master clock is generated by the MEDUS.

Up-sampling
Signals at 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling frequency are up-sampled in the MEDUS’ DSP chip, using our own up-sampling algorithms. Thus the DAC chip always receives signals at a 88.2 kHz minimum sampling frequency.

Converters
The 32 Bit DAC chip up-samples the input signal to about 1.5 MHz. Four D/A conversion channels are used per audio channel, resulting in exceptional performance specifications. The I/V conversion after the DAC chip uses two of our own discrete OP-AMPs (the OP1-BP) per channel.

Analogue Outputs
All analogue processing is done with our own discrete operational amplifier modules, the Weiss OP1-BP. The OP1-BP is arguably the best audio operational amplifier currently available. Four OP1-BP are used per channel, two for current to voltage (I/V) conversion and two for the balanced and unbalanced output stages. The OP1-BP run in class A mode for all common loads. Output levels can be set with a rotary switch at the back of the unit. The level range is 32 dB with a 1 dB step resolution. The outputs are symmetrical on XLR connectors and asymmetrical on RCA connectors. No sound degrading servo mechanisms or AC coupling capacitors are used.