Onkyo C-1VL - Manual (Page 2)

A Quest for the Perfect Digital Sound
Other Contributing Features
• Toroidal power transformers reduce leakage of magnetic flux and regulate
the power supply.
• Brass insulators support the fabric and mitigate the effect of vibrations.
• Brass pin jacks counteract vibrations and hold plugs firmly in place.
• Large speaker terminals ensure firm clasping of the cable core.
• 'MAIN IN' terminals enable the A-1VL to be used as a power amplifier.
C-1VL
A High-Precision Clock to Reproduce Even the
Smallest Element of Sound Information
The C-1VL boasts an extremely precise clocking mechanism to control and
coordinate the timing of all digital signal processes. If you think of the clock as
an orchestra conductor, then the separate digital signals are the individual
instruments in that orchestra. Without a talented conductor—i.e., an accurate
clock—the sound can become muddy and indistinguishable. With the C-1VL's
state-of-the-art crystal oscillator, though, you can rest assured. It achieves a
frequency deviation of just ±1.5 ppm, compared with ±50 ppm on a
conventional crystal oscillator.The difference is instantly noticeable: a stunningly
realistic sound field, and a beautifully sustained tone for all musical instruments.
Wolfson ® Microelectronics 192 kHz/24-Bit DAC to
Improve Audio Quality
Specifically designed for audio applications, the C-1VL’s on-board digital-to-
analog converter (DAC) boasts a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. With its
multi-bit, sigma-delta design, this DAC extends the C-1VL’s signal-to-noise ratio
out to 110 dB and increases its tolerance to clock jitter.
Virtually Eliminate Noise with VLSC (Vector Linear
Shaping Circuitry)
Conventional D/A conversion methods reduce digital pulse noise at the
conversion stage but can't remove it completely. Previously only available on
Onkyo's high-end components,VLSC employs a unique D/A conversion circuit
to overcome this problem.
Data is converted between
the sampling points, and
these discrete sampling
points are joined with
analog vectors in real-time
to produce a smooth
output waveform.The
result—a noiseless, smooth
analog signal based on the
digital source.
Refining the Internal Mechanism to Counter
Vibration
It is widely known that unwanted vibration from a component's parts will taint
the sound quality it produces by creating noise that masks subtle sounds. But
not all vibration adversely affects the sound signal: some is harmful, some
harmless. In the case of a typical CD player, vibration interference arises not
only from the speakers, but also from the disc-spinning mechanism. For the
C-1VL, we undertook a painstaking study to discover which parts of the
mechanism produced harmful vibrations. We then created methods to
counteract these vibrations without damaging the sound signal itself. Our
guiding consideration was always how best to recreate the on-stage
performance so that the listener could feel fully immersed in the music.
Other Contributing Features
• Toroidal power transformer reduces leakage of magnetic flux and regulates
the power supply.
• Brass pin jacks counteract vibrations and hold plugs securely in place.
• Brass insulators
• Direct Digital Path protects the audio signal against potential noise from
nearby microprocessors and power supplies.
• Digital Out On/Off function
A-1VL
A Digital Amplifier that Reproduces Music with
Power and Speed for a More Faithful Performance
Digital amplifiers typically achieve a very high power efficiency of 90%,
compared with a maximum of 70% for analog amplifiers. Consequently, power
consumption and heat dissipation are relatively low, making more compact
designs possible. With the slender, stylish A-1VL, Onkyo has taken full advantage
of this benefit. Another of the main benefits of digital amplifiers—their ability to
reproduce sound with more lifelike power and speedier transient response—is
taken to a higher level on the A-1VL.The A-1VL reproduces the clarity and
impact of musical instruments as they were recorded onto disc, creating pure,
unadorned sound in the mid-to-high range, and faster transient response at the
low end.
Onkyo's VL Digital Technology Mitigates Digital
Conversion Errors
There are numerous analog-to-digital conversion methods with relatively low
frequencies. For the A-1VL, Onkyo chooses pulse width modulation (PWM), as
it produces little noise in the higher frequencies. In amplifiers that use
conventional PWM, there is a one-to-one correlation between the signal and
the pulse, which results in a signal phase marred with inaccuracies created by
pulse noise in the original signal.To get around this, Onkyo combines PWM
with its exclusive VL (Vector Linear) Digital technology, which assesses the
average energy in a given cycle so it can greatly reduce phase inaccuracies
created by pulse noise in the original signal.
Onkyo's VL Digital technology comprises a vector generator, an integrator (like
a charger) and a reverse trigger generator. When the analog input signal is
received, the vector generator outputs a current proportional to the size of the
analog input.This current is sent to the integrator, where it is "charged." When
the charge quantity reaches a specified value, the trigger operates and inverts
the output pulse. Circuits alternately charge and invert, performing pulse width
modulation proportional to
the analog signal.The upper
and lower portions of the
spike noise waveform are
symmetrical, so they have
the same area.Therefore, if
the analog signal contains
spike noise, the charge
quantities will cancel each
other out, thus enabling
error-free A/D conversion.
Thick, Low-Impedance Copper Bus Plates for
Perfect Ground Potential
Electricity stored in an amplifier's capacitor is outputted via an electric power
line.To provide continuous output at full power, a digital amplifier requires a
large, stable flow of current. Any loss of power at the output stage becomes a
hindrance to the instantaneous flow of that current.That's why we use thick
(1.5 mm x 5 mm) copper bus plates on the A-1VL, to achieve an extremely
low level of impedance. In contrast, printed circuit boards typically use beaten
copper for their power lines. As this beaten copper is extremely thin (as thin as
35 µm), it creates far more impedance. Even if it were the same width as the
copper bus plates, a printed circuit board would still yield 43 times as much
impedance. So, if you want rock-solid power output at virtually any volume, the
A-1VL won't let you down.
Output Paths that Enable Even Greater Power
Transmission
Many hi-fi users employ heavy-gauge speaker cable in their systems. However,
when it comes to internal wiring—from the amplifier's input circuitry to the
speaker terminals—beaten copper is mostly used, usually in the form of printed
circuit boards. Due to its extreme thinness of 35 µm, this beaten copper can
produce high levels of impedance that reduce the effectiveness of the speaker
cables, no matter how thick they are.That's why the A-1VL's output paths
comprise extra-thick copper bus plates—1.5 mm thick, 12 mm wide and 18
mm
2 in cross-section area. With signal paths kept as short as possible, a smooth
signal flow is possible.
A Stylish Marriage of Power and Finesse
Onkyo's A-1VL digital stereo amplifier provides superior audio performance via
quality audiophile parts and uncompromising build quality.This slim, futuristic
digital amplifier possesses a low-impedance design with carefully selected
parts—large capacity, separate toroidal transformers, thick copper bus
plates and high-grade transparent speaker terminals. Also, the A-1VL
combines PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) amplification and exclusive VL
(Vector Linear) technology to smooth the ripples (fluctuations) and eliminate the
noise inherent in analog or other PWM technologies.The result is 90% power efficiency
for wide dynamic and frequency ranges, as well as noticeable sound harmony.
SILVER
Beautiful, Clean Lines — Inside and Out
The C-1VL CD player brings together superb audio reproduction, user-friendly
operability and a modern design sensibility. Displaying a range of
technological advancements, this player effortlessly works with and
complements the A-1VL digital stereo amplifier. Onkyo's exclusive VLSC
(Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) and high-grade Wolfson ® D/A converters
ensure that the signal is free from the noise that taints other players. Also, a
high-purity, heavy-gauge, shielded cable guarantees a digital audio signal that is
noise-free and less susceptible to flux.The C-1VL CD player appeals to the music
enthusiast who won't settle for anything less than the Onkyo approach to audio excellence.
SILVER
C-1VL
Audiophile-Grade CD Player
A-1VL
Integrated Digital Stereo Amplifier
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