Why should I keep my original packaging?

The packaging of April Music product is carefully designed to protect the unit.

It was created to withstand the normal abuse any product will go through while being shipped from point A to point B. In the event you move, or sell your unit, the original packaging will better safeguard your valuable electronics from damage in shipping. Thus better to store than to throw away your original packaging.

What are some devices which have I²S outputs, for input into the DA100 Signature?   

A.  

Perpetual Technologies: P-1A Digital Signal Processor / Speaker Only Correction System

Empirical Audio: Off-Ramp I2S USB to I2S Converter and PaceCar buffer memory reclocker

Audio Alchemy: DDE PRO32 Digital Signal Processor and DDS PRO Transport

                       (no longer produced)

What is an I²S connection, and what are its benefits?

I²S is an industry interface standard used for connecting digital audio products, such as CD transports and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) as well as other devices, such as digital signal processors or converters. I²S sends separate signals on individual conductors for master clock, bit clock, word clock, and audio data.

Separating the clock and data signals greatly reduces a type of distortion called “jitter” when processing a digital signal to an analog signal. Traditional interfaces, such as S/PDIF, mix the clock and data signals, and must go through an additional conversion process which increases jitter. These conversions are unnecessary with I²S, with all signals deriving maximum performance, and no cross-signal interference. The result is much smoother audio reproduction, especially at higher frequencies.

What is “Burn-in Time”?

How does it affect the sound / performance of April Music products?

A. New electronic components are known to benefit from time being powered-on. The high quality transistors, resistors, and capacitors known as “internal discrete components” do require a time to “settle” and really “open-up” to perform at their optimal potential. It is recommended that April Music products be left powered-on for a minimum of two weeks to 30 days to achieve their highest level of sonic performance.

Q. Should April Music products be powered-on all the time?

A. Digital components do not require a great amount of power (and therefore affecting your electricity costs negatively) to remain powered-up, but do derive great benefit from being “kept on-line” once plugged in. Electronic components are susceptible to warming-up and cooling down periods, where a “steady state” provides much more stable audible results. It is therefore recommended that the components be left powered-on all the time.

From: simonlee
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:28 PM
To: Kuma Ming
Subject: RE: enquiry - DA100 Signature

Dear Kuma Ming,

Thank you choosing AM Stello products.

Yes, DA100 signature runs in class A which causes a little heat. Actually, it runs quite hot!

But you don’t have to worry about it.

It will give you a real hifi sonic nirvana once it is well burnt-in.

If you go away from home for a long time, you can turn the main power switch ‘off’ which is located on the rear panel.

But if you want the full power of the DAC, you can leave the main power and turn on/off only by the ‘Stand-by’ switch which is located on the left side of the front panel.

Thanks again,

Simon K. Lee / President of April Music, Inc

From: Kuma Ming
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 1:59 PM
To: info@aprilmusic.com
Subject: enquiry - DA100 Signature