User Tools

Site Tools


audio:audio_by_van_alstine_work

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision
Previous revision
Next revisionBoth sides next revision
audio:audio_by_van_alstine_work [2019/05/22 04:47] – [RB-RC] mithataudio:audio_by_van_alstine_work [2019/08/02 23:03] – [The future] mithat
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== Audio by Van Alstine work ====== ====== Audio by Van Alstine work ======
  
-I have done quite a bit of consulting work for [[https://avahifi.com|Audio by Van Alstine]] over the years. I summarize below some of it. While I completed a number of smaller projects for them before 2002, I decided to pick up the story with the Transcendence Five as that is the first product that was my complete circuit design. The list below isn’t exhaustive.+I have done quite a bit of consulting work for [[https://avahifi.com|Audio by Van Alstine]] over the years. I'm summarizing below some of it. While I completed a number of smaller projects for AVA before 2002, I decided to pick up the story with the Transcendence Five as that is the first product that was my complete circuit design. The list below isn’t exhaustive.
  
-The focus of my work with AVA has always been to bring the highest standards of audio engineering to the company while fostering a more generous, consideredand inclusive view of the industry and its consumers.+The focus of my work with AVA has always been to bring the highest standards of audio engineering to the company while helping to foster a more considered and inclusive view of the industry and its consumers.
  
 ===== Transcendence Five ===== ===== Transcendence Five =====
Line 9: Line 9:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021220143125/http://www.avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_five_sl.htm|c. 2002]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021220143125/http://www.avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_five_sl.htm|c. 2002]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of an new vacuum tube line stage to replace AVA’s existing design originally derived from the Dyna PAS 3. I’m pretty sure this was the first commercial application of my vacuum tube computer optimization methods based on my [[https://www.birotechnology.com/articles/VTspice.html|SPICE model optimization work]] (i.e., there were two layers of computer-based optimization: one to model the tubes and the other to optimize the performance of the circuit).+New vacuum tube line stage to replace AVA’s existing design originally derived from the Dyna PAS 3. 
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation.  I’m pretty sure this was the first commercial application of my vacuum tube computer optimization methods based on my [[https://www.birotechnology.com/articles/VTspice.html|SPICE model optimization work]] (i.e., there were two layers of computer-based optimization: one to model the tubes and the other to optimize the performance of the circuit).
  
 **Discussion:** I thought the time had come for AVA to have a new vacuum tube line-level stage to replace their aging 12AX7A-based design, and they agreed. I based the initial work around two stages of 12AT7A gain using heaps of the SPICE simulation to optimize the circuit behavior for audio reproduction. I originally wanted to apply my design optimization methods to a number of different tube triodes and subjectively evaluate the results, but after hearing the results with the 12AT7A, AVA decided to put the design into production immediately. A variant of this stage remains in production today in the form of AVA’s Fet Valve CFR and FetValve CF RB preamps. **Discussion:** I thought the time had come for AVA to have a new vacuum tube line-level stage to replace their aging 12AX7A-based design, and they agreed. I based the initial work around two stages of 12AT7A gain using heaps of the SPICE simulation to optimize the circuit behavior for audio reproduction. I originally wanted to apply my design optimization methods to a number of different tube triodes and subjectively evaluate the results, but after hearing the results with the 12AT7A, AVA decided to put the design into production immediately. A variant of this stage remains in production today in the form of AVA’s Fet Valve CFR and FetValve CF RB preamps.
Line 17: Line 19:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021019213756/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_six_sl.htm|c. 2002]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021019213756/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_six_sl.htm|c. 2002]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of a low-cost hybrid line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and integrated circuit buffer output.+Low-cost hybrid line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and integrated circuit buffer output
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation.
  
 **Discussion:** This was a continuation of the work I started with the Transcendence Five. Historically, AVA had demonstrated some success with two different hybrid approaches. In the first, high-voltage MOSFET buffers were placed inside the main feedback loop of vacuum tube gain stages. In the second, a low-cost opamp stage was used to provide high impedance buffering of a conventional closed-loop tube preamp design. My idea centered around placing a high-speed solid-state buffer IC stage //inside// the global feedback loop. This would allow AVA to offer a preamp with performance that exceeded their tube/MOSFET hybrid at a considerable cost savings. This design was so good that it obsoleted their tube/MOSFET hybrid preamp until I was able to complete work on the Transcendence Seven. **Discussion:** This was a continuation of the work I started with the Transcendence Five. Historically, AVA had demonstrated some success with two different hybrid approaches. In the first, high-voltage MOSFET buffers were placed inside the main feedback loop of vacuum tube gain stages. In the second, a low-cost opamp stage was used to provide high impedance buffering of a conventional closed-loop tube preamp design. My idea centered around placing a high-speed solid-state buffer IC stage //inside// the global feedback loop. This would allow AVA to offer a preamp with performance that exceeded their tube/MOSFET hybrid at a considerable cost savings. This design was so good that it obsoleted their tube/MOSFET hybrid preamp until I was able to complete work on the Transcendence Seven.
Line 25: Line 29:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021019213216/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_ec.htm|c. 2002]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20021019213216/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_ec.htm|c. 2002]]
  
-**Contribution:** Development and implementation of a 12AT7A-based premium hybrid line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and optimized power-MOSFET buffer output stage. This was a major rethink of the work covered by AVA's [[https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/3b/ca/c7/daa969bad4f092/US5017884.pdf|“Fet Valve” patent]] and embodied in their first-generation Fet Valve products.+12AT7A-based premium hybrid line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and optimized power-MOSFET buffer output stage.  
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Development and implementation. This was a major rethink of the work covered by AVA's [[https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/3b/ca/c7/daa969bad4f092/US5017884.pdf|“Fet Valve” patent]] and embodied in their first-generation Fet Valve products.
  
 **Discussion:** One of the reasons my Transcendence Six design outperformed AVA’s more costly discrete MOSFET hybrid approach was that it used the optimized 12AT7A-based gain stage core initially developed for the Transcendence Five. So a natural progression was to see whether using that gain stage in one of the discrete MOSFET output buffer architectures covered in their patent provided an advantage over the IC-based buffer I designed into the Transcendence Six. In the process of designing the new MOSFET stage, I revisited a number of assumptions made in the original AVA implementation and produced a circuit optimized for this application that was vastly simpler than the one it replaced. AVA thought its performance warranted it being offering as a premium hybrid product. **Discussion:** One of the reasons my Transcendence Six design outperformed AVA’s more costly discrete MOSFET hybrid approach was that it used the optimized 12AT7A-based gain stage core initially developed for the Transcendence Five. So a natural progression was to see whether using that gain stage in one of the discrete MOSFET output buffer architectures covered in their patent provided an advantage over the IC-based buffer I designed into the Transcendence Six. In the process of designing the new MOSFET stage, I revisited a number of assumptions made in the original AVA implementation and produced a circuit optimized for this application that was vastly simpler than the one it replaced. AVA thought its performance warranted it being offering as a premium hybrid product.
Line 33: Line 39:
 c. 2002 c. 2002
  
-**Contribution:** Concept and development of an all-tube buffered line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and 12AU7 buffer stage.+All-tube buffered line stage using a computer-optimized 12AT7A gain stage and 12AU7 buffer stage
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination and development
  
 **Discussion:** While working on the Transcendence Seven, I was able to take a deep dive into the tube/MOSFET architecture covered in the AVA Fet Valve patent. One result of this is that I could not find a convincing reason why a power-MOSFET was better suited to buffering the gain stages than a cathode follower, but I was able to come up some reasons a MOSFET might be worse. So I developed an iteration of the Transcendence Seven design using a 12AU7A-based circuit to replace the power-MOSFET stage. **Discussion:** While working on the Transcendence Seven, I was able to take a deep dive into the tube/MOSFET architecture covered in the AVA Fet Valve patent. One result of this is that I could not find a convincing reason why a power-MOSFET was better suited to buffering the gain stages than a cathode follower, but I was able to come up some reasons a MOSFET might be worse. So I developed an iteration of the Transcendence Seven design using a 12AU7A-based circuit to replace the power-MOSFET stage.
Line 43: Line 51:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040406232313/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/index.htm|c. 2004]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040406232313/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/index.htm|c. 2004]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of all-new power high-voltage supply regulation circuits for use with all AVA tube and hybrid products.+All-new power high-voltage supply regulation circuits for use with all AVA tube and hybrid products
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation.
  
 **Discussion:** To address a concern AVA raised regarding the audibility of B+ power supply shifts caused by line voltage variations and other factors, I developed an active regulation architecture using voltage references and high-voltage power-MOSFETs. The approach was simple and cost-effective enough that several independent regulation stages could be be used to better isolate the individual stages that comprised an entire design. AVA felt that the subjective improvements resulting from the regulated power supplies warranted the adoption of the scheme in all tube and hybrid products. This resulted in the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404184016/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_five_sl.htm|Transcendence Five SLR]], [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404191302/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_six_sl.htm|Transcendence Six SLR]], and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404184915/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_ec.htm|Transcendence Seven SLR and ECR]]. The same work was also applied to the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404182745/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/amplifier/fetvalve_amps.htm|Fet Valve EXR]] power amplifiers. **Discussion:** To address a concern AVA raised regarding the audibility of B+ power supply shifts caused by line voltage variations and other factors, I developed an active regulation architecture using voltage references and high-voltage power-MOSFETs. The approach was simple and cost-effective enough that several independent regulation stages could be be used to better isolate the individual stages that comprised an entire design. AVA felt that the subjective improvements resulting from the regulated power supplies warranted the adoption of the scheme in all tube and hybrid products. This resulted in the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404184016/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_five_sl.htm|Transcendence Five SLR]], [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404191302/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_six_sl.htm|Transcendence Six SLR]], and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404184915/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_ec.htm|Transcendence Seven SLR and ECR]]. The same work was also applied to the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404182745/http://avahifi.com:80/root/equipment/amplifier/fetvalve_amps.htm|Fet Valve EXR]] power amplifiers.
Line 53: Line 63:
 [[https://portfolio.mithatkonar.com/product/remote-control/|c. 2004]] [[https://portfolio.mithatkonar.com/product/remote-control/|c. 2004]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of a remote controlled volume circuit adaptable to all existing AVA preamplifiers.+Remote controlled volume circuit adaptable to all existing AVA preamplifiers. 
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation.
  
 **Discussion:** I was aware that AVA was losing preamplifier sales because they didn’t support any kind of remote control and that AVA regarded even the simplest of remote control functionality an unsolvable problem given their manufacturing quantities and methods. So I decided to solve it. The solution hinged on working with a turnkey supplier of remote control transmitters and pre-programmed receiver ICs and sourcing a motorized potentiometer that was as good as the potentiometers they were using. The result involved minimal changes to the chassis design and a build that was easier than the non-remote approach they had been using. **Discussion:** I was aware that AVA was losing preamplifier sales because they didn’t support any kind of remote control and that AVA regarded even the simplest of remote control functionality an unsolvable problem given their manufacturing quantities and methods. So I decided to solve it. The solution hinged on working with a turnkey supplier of remote control transmitters and pre-programmed receiver ICs and sourcing a motorized potentiometer that was as good as the potentiometers they were using. The result involved minimal changes to the chassis design and a build that was easier than the non-remote approach they had been using.
Line 63: Line 75:
 [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15676.0|c. 2005]] [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15676.0|c. 2005]]
  
-**Contribution:** Revision of AVA’s low-power tube amplifier circuits for the Dyna ST70 chassis. Changes centered on improving loop behavior and power supply regulation, producing a circuit design that has remained in the AVA catalog for over 13 years.+Revision of AVA’s low-power tube amplifier circuits for the Dyna ST70 chassis.  
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Strategization and development. Changes centered on improving loop behavior and power supply regulation, producing a circuit design that has remained in the AVA catalog for over 13 years.
  
 **Discussion:** AVA felt they needed to produce a revision of their Dyna 70 rebuild offering and asked me to design it. I was proscribed from changing the tube complement or making similar large changes. So I opted to apply some of the insights gleaned from the application of regulated power supplies in tube and hybrid applications to the existing circuit and to revisit some assumptions about pole and zero locations that the original Dyna engineers had made, likely based on the kinds of parts that were available in 1959 and definitely based on the slightly different tube complement. The revisions I developed resulted in the Ultimate 70, and the circuit continues today in different packaging as the AVA Ultravalve amplifier. **Discussion:** AVA felt they needed to produce a revision of their Dyna 70 rebuild offering and asked me to design it. I was proscribed from changing the tube complement or making similar large changes. So I opted to apply some of the insights gleaned from the application of regulated power supplies in tube and hybrid applications to the existing circuit and to revisit some assumptions about pole and zero locations that the original Dyna engineers had made, likely based on the kinds of parts that were available in 1959 and definitely based on the slightly different tube complement. The revisions I developed resulted in the Ultimate 70, and the circuit continues today in different packaging as the AVA Ultravalve amplifier.
Line 71: Line 85:
 [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75323.0|c. 2009]] [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75323.0|c. 2009]]
  
-**Contribution:** Design and implementation of a next-generation S/PDIF decoder and DAC board.+Next-generation S/PDIF decoder and DAC board
  
-**Discussion:** In the mid-1990s, I built AVA a prototype stand-alone DAC that demonstrated to them that producing such a product was within their manufacturing abilities. This ushered in an era of their being able to offer a product that they had previously considered impossible. So it was probably natural that they approached me to design the core circuits that would be used in their next generation of stand-alone DACs. They had preselected the the Wolfson WM8740 as the DAC IC they wanted the design based around, but by the time the design was completed we had moved to the WM8742.+**Contribution:** Design and implementation.
  
-AVA originally wanted to support only 44.1kHz PCM formats and a single coaxial S/PDIF input. Additionally, their manufacturing capabilities precluded the use of microcontrollers, which would have allowed for advanced use of the receiver and converter ICs. In spite of these constraints, I designed in automatic support for up to 96kHz PCM streams, jumper-configurable support for 192kHz PCM, and support for multiple inputs. Because of this, AVA was able to use this design to meet subsequent customer demands for high-rate audio support and multiple inputs. This board was used unchanged for all AVA DAC production for seven years until it was replaced by my DAC MK5 design.+**Discussion:** In the mid-1990s, I built AVA a prototype stand-alone DAC that demonstrated to them that producing such a product was within their manufacturing abilities. This ushered in an era of their being able to offer a product that they had previously considered impossible. So it was probably natural that they approached me to design the core circuits that would be used in their next-generation of stand-alone DACs. They had preselected the the Wolfson WM8740 as the DAC IC they wanted the design based around, but by the time the design was completed we had moved to the WM8742. 
 + 
 +AVA originally wanted to support only 44.1kHz PCM formats and a single coaxial S/PDIF input. Additionally, their manufacturing capabilities precluded the use of microcontrollers, which would have allowed for advanced use of the receiver and converter ICs. In spite of these constraints, I designed in automatic support for up to 96kHz PCM streams, jumper-configurable support for 192kHz PCM, and support for multiple inputs. Because of this, AVA was able to use this design to meet subsequent customer demands for high-rate audio support and multiple inputs; this board was used unchanged for all AVA DAC production for seven years until it was replaced by my DAC MK5 design.
  
 This would be the first time AVA would use predominantly SMD parts in a PCB design. The previous generation DAC had used a single hand-soldered SOIC package. This design used SMD components exclusively. This would be the first time AVA would use predominantly SMD parts in a PCB design. The previous generation DAC had used a single hand-soldered SOIC package. This design used SMD components exclusively.
Line 85: Line 101:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150914171548/http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=265&Itemid=226|c. 2014]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150914171548/http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=265&Itemid=226|c. 2014]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination and development of an all-tube, next-generation premium preamp line stage.+All-tube, next-generation premium preamp line stage
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination and development
  
 **Discussion:** Around 2014, finding that hybrid topologies were becoming a marketing liability, AVA revisited my [[#t7_cf|“T7 CF”]] design work without my knowledge. To my original circuit design of 2002, they added grid stopper resistors ahead of the 12AU7A stages (which my original simulations didn’t point to the need for). They released it as the Fet Valve CF, and it remains in production today as the Fet Valve CFR and Fet Valve CF RB. **Discussion:** Around 2014, finding that hybrid topologies were becoming a marketing liability, AVA revisited my [[#t7_cf|“T7 CF”]] design work without my knowledge. To my original circuit design of 2002, they added grid stopper resistors ahead of the 12AU7A stages (which my original simulations didn’t point to the need for). They released it as the Fet Valve CF, and it remains in production today as the Fet Valve CFR and Fet Valve CF RB.
Line 93: Line 111:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20140327141549/http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=179&Itemid=237|c. 2014]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20140327141549/http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=179&Itemid=237|c. 2014]]
  
-**Contribution:** Component value selection for best RIAA conformance.+Component value selection for best RIAA conformance.
  
-**Discussion:** AVA decided to pursue a stronger presence in the growing phono market by developing a stand-alone phono preamp. I was consulted on the project toward the end of its development to determine the best passive component values to be used in manufacturing to yield the best RIAA conformance. I provided some subjective evaluations of the unit while it was being developed, but had nothing to do with the preamp’s topology or other design decisions.+**Contribution:** Development. 
 + 
 +**Discussion:** AVA decided to pursue a stronger presence in the growing phono market by developing a stand-alone phono preamp. I was consulted on the project near the end of its development to determine the best passive component values to be used to yield the best RIAA conformance. I provided some subjective evaluations of the unit while it was being developed as well. I had nothing to do with the preamp’s topology or other design decisions.
  
 ===== Vision DAC improved ===== ===== Vision DAC improved =====
Line 101: Line 121:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150427040336/http://avahifi.com:80/|c. 2015]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150427040336/http://avahifi.com:80/|c. 2015]]
  
-**Contribution:** New reconstruction and output stage based on a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage I developed as an independent project.+New reconstruction and output stage based on a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage I developed as an independent project
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation.
  
 **Discussion:** I had been developing a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage as an independent project for a number of years. My goal was to create a design that was free of the issues I kept hearing in opamp ICs. Late in 2014 I thought I succeeded, and so I built a single-stage differential-to-single-ended anti-imaging filter/output stage using the module for the [[#dac_core_for_vision_and_vision_hybrid_dacs|Vision DAC board]] I had designed earlier for AVA. The result impressed AVA enough that it was immediately adopted for their Vision DAC offerings. **Discussion:** I had been developing a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage as an independent project for a number of years. My goal was to create a design that was free of the issues I kept hearing in opamp ICs. Late in 2014 I thought I succeeded, and so I built a single-stage differential-to-single-ended anti-imaging filter/output stage using the module for the [[#dac_core_for_vision_and_vision_hybrid_dacs|Vision DAC board]] I had designed earlier for AVA. The result impressed AVA enough that it was immediately adopted for their Vision DAC offerings.
Line 109: Line 131:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150427040336/http://avahifi.com:80/|c. 2015]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150427040336/http://avahifi.com:80/|c. 2015]]
  
-**Contribution:** New line stage based on a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage I developed as an independent project.+New line stage based on a discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage I developed as an independent project
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Development and implementation.
  
 **Discussion:** Based on the performance gains my discrete gain-cell module provided the Vision DAC, AVA became interested in using it for their solid-state preamp offering. **Discussion:** Based on the performance gains my discrete gain-cell module provided the Vision DAC, AVA became interested in using it for their solid-state preamp offering.
Line 117: Line 141:
 [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=149195.0|c. 2017]] or [[https://mithatkonar.com/blog/2017/03/19/ava-dac-mk-5-released/|this]] [[https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=149195.0|c. 2017]] or [[https://mithatkonar.com/blog/2017/03/19/ava-dac-mk-5-released/|this]]
  
-**Contribution:** Development and implementation of an all-new DAC product with S/PDIF and USB inputs supporting high-rate PCM and DSD formats. Fully isolated S/PDIF receiver based on the AK4118EQ. Galvanic isolation and switching for the Amanero Combo384 USB receiver. All-new DAC implementation based on the AK4490EQ. All-new reconstruction filter and output stage circuitry based on my discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage. Microcontroller programming for input decoding, DAC operation, and user interface. Industrial design subject to AVA’s production and styling constraints. Production workflow refinements to accommodate large-scale SMD production.+All-new DAC product with USB and S/PDIF inputs supporting high-rate PCM and DSD formats. 
 + 
 +**Contribution:** Development and implementation. All-new DAC implementation based on the AK4490EQ. All-new reconstruction filter and output stage circuitry based on my discrete, class-A, solid-state gain stage. Fully isolated S/PDIF receiver based on the AK4118EQ. Galvanic isolation and switching for the Amanero Combo384 USB receiver. Microcontroller programming for input decoding, DAC operation, and user interface. Industrial design subject to AVA’s production and styling constraints. Production workflow refinements to accommodate large-scale SMD production.
  
-**Discussion:** Phew! With the Vision DAC incapable of effectively supporting newer in-demand digital audio formats, AVA asked me to design for them a product that would. The original design brief specified support for up to 192kHz PCM sample rates and DSD64. I insisted on a design that provided support for DSD128 as well and that had the infrastructure to support DSD256 once that format matured. (AVA released official support for DSD256 in 2018.)+**Discussion:** With the Vision DAC incapable of effectively supporting newer in-demand digital audio formats, AVA asked me to design for them a product that would. The original design brief specified support for up to 192kHz PCM sample rates and DSD64. I insisted on a design that provided support for DSD128 as well and that had the infrastructure to support DSD256 once that format matured. Full support for DSD256 was added in 2018.
  
 Working with application engineers at AKM, I developed support circuitry for the AK4490EQ whose low-frequency reference voltage stability was significantly greater than the circuits used in AK4490EQ reference designs. This in turn reduced the low frequency nonlinearity of the DAC appreciably over more conventional approaches. Working with application engineers at AKM, I developed support circuitry for the AK4490EQ whose low-frequency reference voltage stability was significantly greater than the circuits used in AK4490EQ reference designs. This in turn reduced the low frequency nonlinearity of the DAC appreciably over more conventional approaches.
Line 129: Line 155:
 [[https://web.archive.org/web/20171209134226/http://avahifi.com:80/products/pre-amplifiers/fet-valve-cf-vacuum-tube-preamplifier|c. 2017]] or [[https://mithatkonar.com/blog/2017/12/31/ava-remote-controlled-preamp-chassis-released/|this]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20171209134226/http://avahifi.com:80/products/pre-amplifiers/fet-valve-cf-vacuum-tube-preamplifier|c. 2017]] or [[https://mithatkonar.com/blog/2017/12/31/ava-remote-controlled-preamp-chassis-released/|this]]
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of a fully remote-controllable chassis and supporting circuitry. New for AVA is minimal-path relay-controlled input selection, custom user interface design and microcontroller programming, and improved manufacturability over the previous generation's less capable chassis. Industrial design subject to AVA’s production and styling constraints.+Fully remote-controllable chassis and supporting circuitry.
  
-**Discussion:** I had two main goals with this project. The first was to bring the remote controllability of AVA preamplifiers up to feature parity with the competition as quickly as possible, and the second was to move AVA away from the costly turnkey remote control solution I adopted for their initial remote control offering. An additional goal was to simplify the assembly of preamplifiers. I originally planned to work on the first of these goals immediately after completing the volume-only remote control design back in 2004. I had even gotten as far as producing prototype PCBs and a prototype build using relay-controlled input switching. But AVA opted for different priorities at the time, and this work was tabled. In 2017, the case for developing a fully remote-controllable platform was, to put it mildly, somewhat less undeniable.+**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation. New for AVA is minimal-path relay-controlled input selection, custom user interface design and microcontroller programming, and improved manufacturability over the previous generation's less capable chassis. Industrial design subject to AVA’s production and styling constraints. 
 + 
 +**Discussion:** I had two main goals with this project. The first was to bring the remote controllability of AVA preamplifiers up to feature parity with the competition as quickly as possible, and the second was to move AVA away from the costly turnkey remote control solution I adopted for their initial remote control offering. An additional goal was to simplify the assembly of preamplifiers. I originally planned to work on the first of these goals immediately after completing the volume-only remote control design back in 2004. I had even gotten as far as producing prototype PCBs and a prototype build using relay-controlled input switching. But AVA opted for different priorities at the time, and this work was tabled. In 2017, the case for developing a fully remote-controllable platform was far more undeniable.
  
 ===== RB-RC ===== ===== RB-RC =====
Line 137: Line 165:
 c. 2018 c. 2018
  
-**Contribution:** Concept origination, development, and implementation of a low-cost remote controlled volume circuit adaptable to the existing RB chassis.+Low-cost remote controlled volume circuit adaptable to AVA'existing RB chassis.
  
-**Discussion:** With the availability of a less costly remote control transmitter option that I established for the SLR and CFR chassis as well as the newly founded ability for AVA to burn custom microcontrollers in houseit was natural to apply these toward stripped-down remote control functionality for their RB (Real Basic) preamplifer chassis. The new design replaced the previous volume-only remote control implementation with a significantly less expensive solution. Again I expected AVA to adopt the remote control as standard equipment on the RB chassis, and again they decided to offer it as an option, albeit not as costly as the solution it replaced.+**Contribution:** Concept originationdevelopment, and implementation.
  
-===== The future =====+**Discussion:** Given the availability of a less costly remote control transmitter that I secured for the SLR and CFR chassis as well as AVA's new ability to burn microcontrollers in-house, it was natural to apply these toward a limited-feature remote control design for their RB (Real Basic) preamplifer chassis to replace the existing design developed 14 years earlier. As was the case 14 years before, I expected AVA to adopt the remote control as standard equipment on the RB chassis, but again they decided to offer it as an option, albeit not as costly as the solution it replaced.
  
-I continue to provide consulting services to Audio by Van Alstine, particularly in the areas of digital audio, small-signal analog audio, low-power power amplifier design, and user interface design. My design interests lie in bringing greater equity to the availability and usability of high-performance audio equipment and in improving user experiences in every stage of product use. My cultural interests lie in facilitating more generous and inclusive approaches to end-user and business interactions. try to bring all these interest to bear as much as possible in my work for AVA and hope to produce solutions that increasingly embody them.+===== The present ===== 
 + 
 +I continue to provide ongoing consulting services to Audio by Van Alstine, particularly in the areas of digital audio, small-signal analog audio, low-power amplifier design, and user interface design. For reasons that should be obvious, I'm not at liberty to discuss projects under development. 
 + 
 +===== The future =====
  
 +Within audio, my work focuses on developing solutions that represent meaningful audio progress rather than chasing coloration signatures that happen to be fashionable. On a more general level, my design interests include a desire to bring greater equity to technological realms and to improve user experiences in every stage of product use. I try to bring all this to bear as much as possible in my work for AVA.
  
audio/audio_by_van_alstine_work.txt · Last modified: 2023/01/02 21:54 by mithat

Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki