SPECS? Enlightened Audio Design DSP 7000 Mk III

[Amplifine]

I got this unit on trade and it sounds really good. Apparently not looking at the numbers and just trusting my ears I have no idea what the specs are on this unit.

I'm thinking about selling it as I am raising some funds for another hobby and was wondering if anyone could help get the specs for the unit.

[edwin]

The DSP-7000 Series III incorporates advanced digital and analog design features, providing a new standard of sonic performance in digital and audio playback:

Digital Flywheel reclocking cicuitry is a state-of-the-art, proprietary, dual time constant phase locked loop, utilizing a precision voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). The electronic equivalent of a massive rotating flywheel, Digital Flywheel smooths out instantaneous time-base fluctuations (i.e., jitter), achieving a ten-fold jitter reduction from EAD's already advanced Series II reclocking cicuitry. This unrivaled jitter performance is especially cruncil in achieving the ultimate musical resolution and sound-stage focus possible through the HDCD process.

HDCD: The High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) process is a sophisticated dynamic-range-expansion and frequency-resolution enhancing algorithm used when encoding and playing back a CD, allowing much greater resolution and dynamic range than previously possible. As much as 20 bits of musical resolution can be a chieved with the HDCD process, rivalling the highest-quality analog master tapes.

Developed by Pacific Microsonics, the HDCD process was designed to match the ultimate resolving of power of the human ear, while maintaining compatibility withthe existing 16-bit CD format. All HDCD-equipped Series III products will play back both HDCD and non-HDCD encoded dics. Indeed, non-HDCD discs are played back with exceptional clarity, because the HDCD hardware acts as an ultra-high-quality digital filter when a non-HDCD disc is played.

EAD's proprietary AccuLinear design provides superior analog reconstruction of the musical waveform. This advanced technology incorporates discrete components within a single chip wafer to provide greater speed and accuracy than either discrete or conventional integrated designs can provide. This results in reduced transient distortion in the critical current-to-voltage stage -- effectively eliminating the principal source of harshness, glare and stridency commonly associated with CD sound.

Hand-matched, select-grade, dual-differential Burr Brown 20-bit DACs provide exceptional low-level linearity and dynamic range, with a guaranteed THD and noise level below -96dB.

ST-glass fiber-optic input provides an exceptionally high-quaity digital data link that is essentially immune to environmental AC electronic noise and resulting jitter.

Extensive error reporting. Front panel LEDs separately warn of signal degradation caused by uncorrected disk-read errors (i.e., transport errors) or inadequate performance of the coaxial and/or optical digital interconnects.

Upgradable design. All key components are socketed for easy replacement as advancements in digital technology allow.

Absolute phase switch. Phase inversion is accomplished in the digital domain, with no added analog circuitry to degrade the musical signal.

DC-coupled output eliminates capacitors in the signal path, prevents low-frequency roll-off and phase shift, and ensures extended, deep bass into any load.

Massive, custom toroidal power transformer features low mechanical noise and radiated hum field.

Thirteen separate power supplies, including multi-stage regulation for the critical analog stages.

Sophisticated grounding and isolation of the digital and analog stages eliminates potentially harmful ultrasonic and RF noise.

High-quality custom, gold-plated RCA connectors used for both analog and digital inputs and outputs.

Balanced outputs with switchable gain available as an option.

"The EAD DSP-7000 Series III processor lists for $2,450 and is finished in either black or silver. Gold finish is available special order for an additional $200, and balanced outputs cost another $399." (excerpt from Stereophile magazine)

"EADs DSP-7000 Series III represents a pain staking clean-up when compared with it's predecessor, the Series II model. At the core of this clean-up is what EAD calls Digital Flywheel Reclocking Cicuitry. "The electronic equivalent of a massive rotating flywheel" says an EAD explanation. "Digital Flywheel smooths out the instantaneous time-base fluctuations (or "jitter"), achieving a 10-fold jitter reduction from EADs already advanced Series II reclocking circuitry." "I would say EADs meticulous battening of the digital hatches, combined with the HDCD chip itself, has turned a sonically shadowed DA converter (Series II) into one of the most musical sounding components to be found at any price (Series III).

"The many hours I have spent listening to the Series III converter were all too short." "The new discs, old discs, some bearing fancy names of recording processes -- all acquired a new aura of presence, depth, warmth, human endeavor." "And, not just in A-B comparisons between the two versions of EADs converter, but also in switching between a couple of favourite D/A converters and the HDCD model from EAD. This new DA converter sets the benchmark for a new era of digital sound." (above excerpts from Audio Video Interiors)



I hope this helps!

[Amplifine]

This does help indeed but now hesitant to sell it after the information!

[Donlovejoy]

Hi John;

The EAD DSP7000 dac was one of the top choice during the late 90's, that gave Theta and Meridian a tough competition in DAC supremacy in the market.
FYI
EAD DSP1000 Good
EAD DSP7000 Better
EAD DSP9000 Best (This is a Two Chasis DAC )

Regards

Lovejoy

[Amplifine]

Thanks Don! I'm now wondering if there are other members of the forum who has owned or still own the same DAC. I'm trying to feel my way through the features. Unfortunately I don't have the instruction manual. There's a button a all the way to the right that when depressed lights up another LED. Have no idea what this does actually as I could barely make sense of the abbreviations

[Donlovejoy]

Hi John,

Theres a lot of WS members who are into cd / dac component separate approach into there audio system. New DACs feature 24bit/96 KHZ or 24bit/192 upsampling capabilities. My current DAC is Musical Fidelity X-DAC which mates well with my Musical Fidelity A200 Class A integrated amp. What i like about my current dac is its HDCD decoding feature which i prefer over upsampling.

The buttons or leds that are on the front panel of the EAD DSP 700 may be (?) attributed to the Phase shift feature of the DAC or if it has HDCD decoding capability an LED will light up once an HDCD encoded cd is played by your cd transport.

[link]

maybe these guys can help:

http://www.nobleelectronics.net/Boe3.html

They have been a very big help whenever I send them an email re my EAD. I already bought a remote from them as well. Maybe they can help you out in sourcing a manual for your D/A.

[Amplifine]

Thanks