Please note:
This Audionet product is discontinued since 2017!
Characteristics
A New Breed of Integrated Amplifier
The creation of the DNA (Digital Network Amplifier) began with a single aim: to build the best sounding and most versatile integrated amp possible, capable of interacting with all current music reproduction sources. R&D was allowed to operate with uncompromising rigor and dedication at all phases, leading to the DNA’s astonishing powerful performance, innovative digital and analogue signal processing and circuit design. The Audionet DNA is therefore more than a stellar integrated amplifier – it is a universal interface for digital music, and an audiophile’s power station. Reading from computers, servers, HDD, USB sticks/drives and streaming from the internet – via cable or wireless – the Audionet DNA will turn any digital music data into a captivating and emotionally fulfilling musical experience.
The Audionet DNA is the first network client, Digital to Analog converter and power amplifier able to be fully integrated into a network and operated entirely by a PC or Mac. Our in-house developed software RCP (Audionet Remote Control Point) allows the user to organize complex functions and settings effortlessly through a GUI (graphic user interface).The RS-232 interface allows in addition for professional integration into home automation systems. At long last it can also be controlled in the classic way with the Audionet System Remote Control.
The Audionet DNA allows near unlimited options to adjust the music reproduction, setting a new standard in high quality customizable music reproduction systems. To accomplish this, we have further enhanced our proven and acclaimed digital filter technology and integrated it into the DNA. As a result, the Audionet DNA is the very first stereo power amp that is equipped with an ultra precise delay, bass, and equalization management, allowing for very nuanced balance adjustment while preserving the coherence of the music. A pair of subwoofers may be integrated, which are separately adjustable in all parameters. Room influences and tonal challenges and problems can be efficiently corrected. Speaker arrangements can be optimized for every possible listening situation. Joined with Audionet’s
room analysis software, CARMA, which captures and analyzes the acoustical behavior and properties of the room, the DNA is now able to perform professional grade room compensation and correction for the passionate amateur and expert.
Construction
Combining innovative construction and circuit structure solutions with our experience and knowledge in digital and analogue audio technology, the DNA utilizes more than 4,000 parts for highest accuracy digital and analogue signal processing.
Over eighteen years of research and development into improvement of our components, proprietary software and the feedback of audiophiles at all stages allow the DNA to feature a sound that is rarely experienced in an integrated amplifier.
Equalizer, Delay- and Bass-Management
The DNA’s double precision bass management uses 48-bit resolution at all sampling frequencies, enabling the most accurate reproduction of even the lowest frequencies. The bass manager offers freely selectable cutoff frequencies, filter Q factors, and subwoofer phases; thus enabling integration of up to two subwoofers into the network, and are configurable into multi-room outputs.
The digital parametric equalizer uses 5 Minimum Phase Equalizers (MPE), for main channel and subwoofer outputs. Each MPE is configurable in filter type, frequency, gain, and Q factor within an unusually wide adjustment range, allowing the effective optimization of all parameters and compensation of less than ideal room characteristics or acoustical problems. The delay manager allows for a range of up to 7 meters, automatically calculating delay times in relationship to the setup and speaker distances while allowing phase control of each subwoofer.
Signal processing
In order to optimize the D/A conversion, Audionet’s engineers pursued the uncompromising reduction and elimination of jitter, resulting in a highly exact, musical and solid sound image, stage and depth. To this end, we have developed Audionet’s Intelligent Sampling Technology, which performs with stellar results the analogue signal recovery from the digital bit stream. Audio data is routed through a two-stage filtering and decoupling procedure. First, the input data is filtered with Audionet’s proprietary software using a powerful signal processor and up sampled synchronously, through filters designed for optimal transient and frequency response. At the next stage, the optimized data is then resolved through an asynchronous up sampling procedure at 192kHz/24bit, allowing the complete isolation from any potential jitter originating from the input clock. The resulting audio data is then passed to two high-performance converters, which are clocked by dedicated ultra high precision quartz crystals and individually processed per channel into analogue signals. This method ensures that jitter faults are eliminated – completely lossless – in the analogue signal to the highest degree, resulting in unmatched clarity, room depth, and stage imaging. In addition, power flux interferences are avoided by powering the digital section of the DNA entirely separately from the analogue section.
Amplification
Neither did we make any compromises with the analogue signal processing of the Audionet DNA. In a lavish research and development phase every detail has been reconsidered and tested. The circuit design and the construction are designed for maximum performance.
The DNA’s analogue power amplifier represents the latest version of Audionet’s state-of-the-art Ultra Linear Amplifier (ULA) technology. This highly complex circuit topology, designed initially for use in medical engineering and applications, thus requiring highest precision standards, delivers results at the limits of physical laws. Even with the most severe strain or amplifier stress situations, signal impurities are virtually unnoticeable, and high return loss guarantees that demanding loudspeakers will play to their full potential.
The amplifier section of the DNA has been designed as a dual mono power amplifier. This helps to reduce the feedback of magnetic fields and interference radiation and largely blocks interaction be-tween the amplifier channels and also the input, correction and power stages. Each channel has its own power supply with a separate 700 VA transformer and 72,000 µF of filter capacitance. An ex-tremely fast, local correction stage prevents the emergence of distortions in realtime. For the analogue biasing voltages we have added another separate power supply with its own 50 VA transformer.
Audionet researches, pursues and acquires exclusively only highest quality components worldwide, requiring in many cases custom design and production. For example, filter caps are designed to our specifications using Japanese silk dielectrics, custom mica caps, and selected high-current foil caps from Germany, manufactured for an ultra low loss angle. Internal wiring is done with top-grade silver/gold alloy, and the best available connection systems from our colleagues at WTB in Essen, Germany. As part of our quest to use only the highest-grade components available, Audionet manufactures the DNA’s operational amplifiers in house. Each Audionet op-amp contains more than 86 discrete components, and is characterized as a unique gain-bandwidth product.
To optimize the high frequency capabilities, the circuits have been miniaturized, and signal paths minimized. The signal path is clear of passive, sound effecting components, like coils, inductors, or capacitors. Noise, distortion, and crosstalk are all but eliminated, for the highest level of energy, dynamics, and purity of sound. A microprocessor unit regulates all functions and measurements, including DC, high frequency, overload, and temperature.
The Audionet DNA’s sound has a strong foundation, is powerful yet spacious and full of contour, natural and refined, turning bits and bytes into an unprecedented and vibrant musical experience.
Function
Network-compatible 2.2 channel stereo integrated amplifier / receiver.
Special Features
- streaming client for internet radio playback (vTuner Internet Radio Service), network devices (UPnP mediaserver), and music data from USB memory sticks
- supported streaming client format: WAV (up to 192kHz/24Bit), FLAC (up to 192kHz/24Bit), ALAC (up to 96kHz/24Bit), AIFF (uncompressed, up to 192kHz/24Bit), MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG-Vorbis
- 2.0 to 2.2 stereo-operating (2 analogue subwoofer-outputs or usable as multiroom outputs)
- Parametric equalizer and Delaymanager for all outputs
- Double-precision bass manager with 48bit-resolution and free adjustable crossover frequencies and filter qualities
- Audionet Intelligent Sampling-Technology with asynchronous upsampling up to 192kHz/24bit
- Precise clock generator for the elimination of clock flank deviations (Jitter)
- Sampling frequencies and resolution of the digital inputs: 32 kHz to 192kHz/24bit
- Audionet HighBit-interface for all audio data including DVD-A and SACD
- FM radio receiver with RDS function
- Audionet ULA-Technology (Ultra Linear Amplifier)
- Completely DC-coupled, no capacitors in the signal path
- Power amplifier with two separate power supplies for driving stage and power stage
- One toroid transformer with 50 VA for inputs and driving stage
- Two toroid transformer with 700 VA with filtering capacity in total of 144.000 uF
- Separate power supplies for digital and analog section
- Gold-doped, pure silver ,solid core signal cabling
- Home cinema mode for home cinema integration
- Microprocessor with its own power supply controls and handles all functions
- Remote activation of other Audionet component via Audionet Link (optical fiber)
- Headphones output electronically switchable
- Automatic mains phase detection
Bass Manager
- Management of one (mixed-mono) or two subwoofer (mixed-mono or stereo)
- Data processing with 48bit resolution (double precision)
- Channels/channel-groups can selectively be driven with the full signal or across the digital frequency crossover with adjustable crossover frequencies and filter qualities.
- X-Bass: Subwoofer can be configured as additional active bass
- Filter quality adjustable from 0,3 to 2,00 in 12 logarithmic steps
- Crossover frequencies adjustable from 20 Hz to 303 Hz in 51 logarithmic steps
- Subwoofer phase switchable
Delay Manager
- Adjustment range: Distance Listening position <-> loudspeaker 0m to 7m
- Automatic calculation of the delays resulting from the distance settings
- Subwoofer delay offset: Phase fine-tune for best impulse response (+/- 7m)
Volume level offset
- Main channel: -18 to +12 dB in 0,5 dB-steps
- Subwoofer: -24 to +12 dB in 0,5 dB-steps
Equalizer
- 5 MPE (Minimum Phase Equalizer) for each main channel and Sub
- Adjustment range for each MPE: Filter type Peak-Filter, High-Shelve, Low-Shelve, high-order filter,low-order filter
- Frequency (f): 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 128 logarithmic steps
- Gain: -12 dB to +6 dB, 0,5 dB-steps
- Quality (Q): 0,3 bis 8,0, in 20 logarithmic steps
Connectors
- WLan 802.11b/g/n – WEP, WPA, WPA2
- LAN/Ethernet (RJ 45)
- USB 2.0 for external media control
- USB Audio 2.0 (up to192kHz/24bit/Stereo)
- RS232 (control input)
In- and Outputs
| Analogue audio inputs: |
3 pair RCA Line, gold plated, Teflon insulated
1 pair Neutrik XLR balanced, gold plated |
| Digital audio inputs: |
4 RCA, 75 Ohm, gold plated, Teflon insulated
2 optical (TosLink)
1 USB Audio type B |
| Audio outputs: |
1 pair RCA Pre-Out, gold plated, Teflon insulated
2 RCA Sub-Out (Multiroom), gold plated, Teflon insulated
6.3 mm socket (headphones), electronically switchable |
| Loudspeaker outputs: |
2 pair WBT nextgen™ pole terminals |
| Additional connectors: |
1 USB 2.0
1 Ethernet (RJ 45)
FM-antenna, 75 Ohm
RS232
Screw connector for turntable earth connection
Screw connector for additional earth connection, gold plated |
| Remote activation: |
2 Audionet Link OUT, optical (TosLink)
3,5mm-jack plug as trigger output with 12V-switching voltage |
| External power supply EPS G2/EPX: |
5-pin socket |
| Mains: |
IEC male power insert connector |
Technical Data
| Output: |
2 x 165 Watt into 8 Ohm
2 x 280 Watt into 4 Ohm
2 x 440 Watt into 2 Ohm |
| Damping factor: |
typ. 1000 at 100 Hz |
Analogue inputs
| Frequency response: |
1 – 500.000 Hz |
| THD+N: |
< -90 dB |
| SNR: |
> 103 dB @1kHz |
Digital inputs
| Sample frequency: |
32kHz – 192 kHz |
| THD+N: |
< -90 dB |
| Dimensions: |
width 430 mm
height 130 mm
depth 390 mm |
| Weight: |
25 kg |
| Front panel: |
Brushed aluminium, 10mm, black anodized, light grey printing
Brushed aluminium, 10mm, silver anodized, black printing |
| Display: |
Red or blue |
| Cover: |
Aluminium, 6 mm, black anodised |
| Sides: |
Aluminium, 8 mm, black anodised |
| Chassis: |
Sheet steel, 2mm, black varnished |
i-fidelity.net
“The Audionet DNA is a phantastic integrated high-end amplifier: It sounds absolutely superb, both digital and analogue, the catalogue of its features is pure luxury, and owing to RCP it is still easy to operate, despite a high degree of complexity. No doubt, with this avantgarde amp Audionet delivers a technical masterpiece. The DNA is certainly the trendsetter for the next generation of integrated amps – not only for that i-fidelity.net is awarding a fat reference title!”
Firmware
New firmware updates for the Audionet DNA are provided by the Audionet Remote Control Point RCP Software (PC & Mac).
The latest version of the RCP must be installed on your computer in order to recieve the newest firmware update. When launching the RCP, it does search the newest firmware and starts the update process automatically (factory default setting). In case that you have deactivated the auto-update function of the RCP: please use the item ‘Check for Updates’ in the menu ‘Help’ to start the update process. We strongly recommend using a wired connection from the DNA to the network for the firmware update process.
Further information on the Audionet RCP and download…
The latest version of the Audionet Music Manager for Android aMM is available in the Google Play Store.
The latest version of the Audionet Music Manager for iOS iMM is available in the Apple App Store.
USB Audio
For using USB Audio, the required driver needs to be installed on your PC. For Apple computers using Mac OS X 10.6.4 and higher, a suitable driver is included within the operating system. To receive the driver for Windows based systems please contact us via service@audionet.de indicating the version of Windows you are using and your audionet machine serial number.
For installation notes and further information refer to the user’s manual section 5.3.2 USB Audio.
Don’t play what’s there,
© Audionet GmbH