Audio – Sony DVP S9000ES User Manual

Page 16

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purity. A straight path carries the signal directly from the D/A

converter input to the output terminals on the back panel. As an

added precaution, extra-thick low-impedance jumper cables

eliminate patterning between the main ground of the audio board

and the main ground of the digital block.

Power transformer cores and windings can vibrate and degrade

the sound, radiating 60 Hz hum into nearby audio circuits.

That’s why Sony shields the audio circuit board. And that’s why

Sony chose twin R-Core power transformers. The R stands for

round. Not only

is the core round,

it has a cylindrical

cross section,

enabling the

transformer

windings to be

wrapped without

the voids or gaps

that permit

vibration. This

results in far less

radiation, far less hum. The core itself is formed from long

narrow magnetic steel plates, rolled into shape without gaps that

might also generate hum. To further protect the audio stage from

interference, one transformer handles video, system control

and servo systems while the other specializes in audio

alone.

While switching power supplies are common in DVD players,

Sony demanded more. We use more traditional series power

supplies with the twin transformers followed by rectifiers.

Separate power supply secondaries are employed for each stage.

And the secondaries are located on the circuit boards they serve:

audio, video, system, motor drive and display. In addition,

separate regulation is used in the D/A converter, VC 24 Plus,

master clock oscillator and digital output buffer blocks. This

minimizes even slight opportunities for mutual interference

through the power supply.

27 MHz. For a further reduction in noise, the power supply to

any unused clocks is automatically turned off.

One potential concern with so many types of circuitry in one

chassis is mutual interference. Sony minimizes the possibility of

radiated interference with Audio Direct output, a front panel

switch that automatically shuts off all Video and Digital outputs.

The switch enables the DVP-S9000ES to operate audio-only

whenever you desire. Three other power configurations are also

offered:

Video Off. Shuts down the video and power circuitry to

eliminate its effect on the audio circuitry.

Digital Off. Shuts down the signal.

Display Off. Cuts off power to the fluorescent display panel,

for a further reduction in noise.

The DVP-S9000ES is capable of sending out DVD-Video sound

tracks at full 96 kHz/24-bit resolution on discs without copy

protection. (Discs with copy protection are limited to 48 kHz/

16-bit digital outputs.) To support full 96 kHz/24-bit digital

output, the optical output module operates all the way up to 13.2

Mbps. So you can connect with maximum fidelity.

As an added safeguard to signal integrity, the digital output

signal is re-synchronized immediately before the coaxial and

optical digital outputs. The signal is realigned to the highly

accurate master clock at 49 MHz (for DVD-Audio) and 45 MHz

(for CD and SACD). This reduces the possibility of distortion-

inducing jitter at the digital outputs.

As a further defense against radiated noise, the audio circuitry is

isolated on its own circuit board, shielded by 1.6 mm sheet metal

and fed by its own, dedicated power supply secondary, located

on the circuit board itself. The board is laid out in classic dual

monaural configuration, for enhanced stereo separation and sonic

Audio Direct Output ( for all discs )

Jitter-Free 96 kHz / 24-bit Digital Output

Separate Audio Circuit Board ( for all discs )

Twin R-Core Power Transformers ( for all discs )

Power Supply Configuration ( for all discs )

Photo 5: Sony minimizes power transformer hum and

noise by incorporating two carefully made R-core power

transformers.

Fig. 19: Contrary to common practice, the DVP-S9000ES subdivides the audio master

clock for video, not the other way around.

Photo 4: The front and back of the audio circuit board reveal

DVD Technical Notes

Audio

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