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file:///C|/Inetpub/wwwroot/avl/pages/densen/inte_amp/cdplayer_b400xs.htm<br />
Densen BEAT B-400XS<br />
Back<br />
The B-400XS is the second CD Player from Densen. But the B-400XS was actually the reference used<br />
during the development of the B-400. However, it was delayed due <strong>to</strong> the complex development process<br />
of the unique Plus Bit Technology©.<br />
Developing the B-400XS has involved a lot of rethinking of the traditional CD Player design, resulting in<br />
several unique solutions.<br />
The corners<strong>to</strong>ne of the B-400XS is a transport from Sony, that is delivered with a glass-optic, instead of<br />
a plastic optic. This reduces false tracking and extends the player's lifetime. All control logic, the servo<br />
controller, engine controller, laser reader etc. is designed by Densen and is located on one board beneath<br />
the transport, ensuring the shortest possible signal path and removing potential jitter between laser and<br />
laser reader. At the same time this secures a much higher quality data transmission.<br />
The main computer is developed <strong>to</strong>gether with Sony but Densen has, unusually, decided <strong>to</strong> use two<br />
microcomputers. This means that one computer takes care of digital transmission, while the other takes<br />
care of secondary things like display, DeMagic, remote etc. This secures the load, meaning that the<br />
speed of the microcomputer that takes care of the digital signal is always constant.<br />
The main CPU can be upgraded by connecting a portable computer <strong>to</strong> a socket on the back on the B-<br />
400XS, or by changing the actual chip (which is mounted in a socket)<br />
Finally, Densen has designed its own databus <strong>to</strong> secure perfect transport of the digital signals. There is a<br />
socket on the back of the B-400XS for this databus, so the B-400XS can later be upgraded <strong>to</strong> seperate<br />
transport/converter via a D-Sub 9 socket. Besides this there is a conventional digital output through a<br />
BNC socket.<br />
The B-400XS has 2 further D-sub plugs, so that it can communicate with other Densen products, and be<br />
used in multiroom systems with a system remote.<br />
B-400XS offers the possibility of inverting the absolute phase.<br />
The display can be switched off, so that it lights up for only 2 seconds after a but<strong>to</strong>n has been pressed.<br />
The real breakthrough with the B-400XS is, however, the converter.<br />
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<strong>Audio</strong> designers normally focus on improving the conversion process, resulting in the use of 18, 20 or 24<br />
bit converters; however the source material remains 16 bit. The XS converter contains a groundbreaking<br />
new technology from Densen that matematically improves the original signal. This technology is called<br />
PlusBit technology©, as it can add as many bits <strong>to</strong> the original source material as are requested. The<br />
technology is currently being patented, and is very costly <strong>to</strong> implement. In the B-400XS the PlusBit<br />
Technology© is used <strong>to</strong> add one extra bit, so the original source material, instead of containing 16 bits,<br />
contains 17. This is a dramatic improvement on the original material as it results in a doubling of the<br />
resolution of the CD. As a side effect of the plus-bit technology, the converters work at 25 Bit (!), so that<br />
all aspects of the conversion are optimised far beyond what has been seen before in a commercial CD<br />
player.<br />
The complex technology of the PlusBit© design means that the convertion board on the B-400XS is<br />
substantially larger than a normal B-400. Since the PlusBit© converter is on a seperate board, it can be<br />
moved <strong>to</strong> a seperate cabinet, and the B-400XS can later be upgraded <strong>to</strong> a seperate transport and<br />
converter.<br />
At the same time the data-stream is controlled by a sophisticated clock controller circuit with a fault rate<br />
of 0 ppm (this rate is normally between 100 and 300 on conventional cd-players), This secures a jitter<br />
level that is (or nearly is) immeasurable.<br />
The DA Converter board also contains is a trimmer that makes it possible <strong>to</strong> adjust the clock circuit <strong>to</strong> a<br />
precision of 0 (zero) PPM in error… naturally, the B-400XS comes directly from the fac<strong>to</strong>ry perfectly<br />
adjusted.<br />
The converter board includes a HDCD chip. At the same time there are seperate converters for left and<br />
right channel, <strong>to</strong> secure no phase-shift between the two channels.<br />
The analog stage is designed as a 6W Class A amplifier <strong>to</strong>tally without feedback (no local or global<br />
feedback).<br />
The most important circuits on the DAC board are enclosed in special boxes <strong>to</strong> ensure no high frequency<br />
interference between the most important circuits.<br />
Both the B-400 and the B-400PLUS can, via an update kit, be upgraded <strong>to</strong> a B-400XS.<br />
PlusBit Technology©:<br />
PlusBit Technology© places the 2 ladders over each other with half a sample delay. The result of this will<br />
be the sum of the two ladders.<br />
The resulting ladder is therefore a ladder with one bit more resolution, and the resulting ladder is<br />
significantly more smooth or analogue, resulting in a much much more refined and musical sound.<br />
It is extremely imporant <strong>to</strong> point out that ALL OTHER technologies (One/16/18/20/24-bit convertion,<br />
various degrees of oversampling and up-sampling) only try <strong>to</strong> recreate the 16 bit signal as precisely as<br />
possible. This results in ALL conventionel cd-players only recreating a 16bit signal, no matter what<br />
technology is involved.<br />
Densen has applied for worldwide patents on the Plus-Bit Technology©, and will introduce the B-400XS<br />
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as the first proof of the significance of the new technology.<br />
Sound: It is important <strong>to</strong> point out that this is not just another fancy small improvement of the D-A<br />
convertion process, but rather a dramatic improvement of the quality of the source material.<br />
When listening <strong>to</strong> the B-400XS it is important <strong>to</strong> understand that for the first time ever, CD-players are<br />
not comparable using the same software. There is a dramatic difference between 16 and 17 bit resolution<br />
on the source material, and therefore the sound of a B-400XS is markedly different from everything else.<br />
This is immediately obvious for listeners familiar with the Densen Beat B-400. The only word that springs<br />
<strong>to</strong> mind <strong>to</strong> precisely describe the difference is "analogue". The sound is simply so different from that of a<br />
normal CD-player that several listeners have initially dismissed the B-400XS as significantly inferior <strong>to</strong><br />
the B-400, only <strong>to</strong> find out after extended listening that the B-400XS is so much better than the B-400<br />
and other CD-players that it is almost unbelieveable… We therefore urge listeners <strong>to</strong> use extended<br />
listening before paasing judgment.<br />
The B-400XS is simply so much more real, musical, emotional and passionate that it must be heard <strong>to</strong> be<br />
believed.<br />
DATA<br />
Line outputs: 2<br />
Digital outputs: 2<br />
Power supply size: 2x20VA<br />
S<strong>to</strong>rage capacity: 25.000uF<br />
D/A converters: 4<br />
D/A converters type: Densen 25-Bit<br />
Weight/shippingweight: 8/10 Kg<br />
Product dimensions (WxDxH): 440x310x64mm<br />
Top<br />
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