Audio Precision claims its new APx555 to be ‘the most powerful and capable audio test instrument ever developed’.
With a typical residual THD+N of -120dB (conservatively specified at -117dB), the APx555 offers two analogue channels with 1MHz bandwidth (mono) and an FFT resolution of 1.2 million points. The generator is capable of producing low distortion sine wave signals up to 204kHz, at high-level amplitudes up to 26Vrms.
In conjunction with the APx555, Audio Precision has announced APx500 v4.0 software, which provides a multi-mode user interface for the APx family of analysers. The software allows easy switching between Sequence Mode – the menu of measurements with which APx users are familiar – and Bench Mode, a SYS-2700 series-inspired approach that delivers real-time feedback of any selected parameters, including waveform scope, FFT spectrum, levels, frequency, THD+N, and more. Engineers may choose the mode that best suits their needs with a click of a mouse button.
‘Bench Mode offers more visibility into real-time behaviors.’ says Eric Cline, Engineering Technician at Analog Devices. ‘Being able to see everything at once is a huge deal – distortion, noise, and signal level on meters is incredibly important. It definitely answers my requests, offering the best of both of worlds. You have the APx ease-of-use, but can still have all the measurements, all on one screen, when you need it.’
AES3 and SPDIF I/O are standard to the APx555, with the instrument also supporting the entire range of APx options, allowing native connectivity and analysis of audio via Bluetooth, HDMI, Digital Serial (I2S, TDM) and PDM (1-bit oversampled) formats. The unit provides a full range of AES3 and SPDIF digital output impairments, including jitter generation and analysis. A new Advanced Master Clock handles input and output clock signals to synchronise the APx555 with external equipment.
‘The APx555 represents a lifetime of work in audio test,’ says AP co-founder and Chief Analog Designer, Bruce Hofer. ‘It pushes analogue circuit design to the edge of understanding and accounts for many previously unseen anomalies, achieving real, measurable performance that exceeds any other.’
More: www.ap.com
