The Philosophy of Excellence
Scala 3.6
Prestige Digital
of Switzerland
1.0 The History
Since the invention of the phonograph, generations of investigators and engineers
have worked to make perfect the quality of audio record and playback.
The power spring of these efforts is and was the dream of human beings to hold
tight for ever irretrievable moments and, particularly, impressive musical experiences,
and thus to make repeatable, so to say „live to hear“ again.
It's the goal to capture, to conserve, and to maintain for the posterity the
fascination of the instant underwent via our senses. This fascination shall then
be able to be echoed as really as possible at any time independently of location,
time, and room.
The existing exhibits of painting, of photography, but not least of the modern
technical media like movie, television, and video, are witnesses of this desire to
„copy“ continuously these original, moment-bound events. With the invention
of digital transformation and storage of tones and sounds one has come nearer
to this goal by a formidable step.
Revox - since the foundation more than 50 years ago devoted to the storage and
playback of sounds in a quality as high as possible - in recent years has taken
care of the limb of the chain supposed as the weakest, in the most intensive and
successful way: the loudspeaker.
In long-years‘ most intensive developmental work a system has arisen which opens
a completely new dimension of sound reproduction. In cooperation with sound
engineers from all over the world and by investments in an amount of millions it
has been done to create the most exact speaker.
With the digital-active loudspeakersystems by Revox are abolished all faults
hitherto well-known and relevant for playback of music as well as the weaknesses
of conventional active and passive speakers inherent in construction. The intelligent
compensations and controls are performed digitally and will enable this system
to render any kind of music in an absolutely unadulterated way and in the
best sense „naturally“.
By this digital signal processing Revox finally succeeded in completely compensating
disturbing time delays. The fact that there are no completely phase-independent
speaker chassis has prompted our engineers to make remedies once again. The
result of this extensive work is the Revox patented circuitry principle of the negative
output impedance for all speakers involved, which cares for correct rendering of
pulses. This ensures an extremely dynamic and 'live' feeling of the music as close
as possible to the original and the result is a perfect sound impression within the
whole transmission range. The capability of exactly tracing natural timbres of
voices and instruments is the absolutely unsurpassed force of the digital-active
speaker systems by Revox.
The matter of course and the sovereignty in transforming any sound event
into „acoustic experience“ are the sources of the intrinsic fascination of these
„modifiers“.
They incorruptibly, neutrally, and authentically transform the digital audio signals
offered to them in acoustic vibrations. These are characterized by unsurpassed
precision and are perceived - at least under living room conditions - in nearly
unlimited dynamics.
We experience the nearly perfect illusion of the original happening.
The circle closes!
The capability of experiencing again one-time musical events true to the original
in the own four walls has a name:
Revox digital-active speaker systems.
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2.0 The products
2.1
Scala 3.6 - Re-defining high-end
The slim Scala 3.6 stands for legendary Swiss quality and combines refined
technology with elegant, timeless design. Audiophiles who are tired of their flats
looking like sound studios will love these speakers. In short: a totally new dimension
of listening for you to discover. You can directly connect a digital source to the
Scala 3.6 as the speakers are based on digital signal processing. Therefore, all you
need to listen to music is, for example, a CD player with digital output. The
Scala 3.6 digital loudspeaker marks the beginning of a new era in the history
of perfect music reproduction. Our engineers have completely eliminated system-
related loudspeaker faults by consistently and comprehensively implementing
digital technology.
Each loudspeaker houses three 130 W power amplifiers and six drivers. Four
paralleled long throw woofers, a midrange speaker, and a treble dome ensure
an impressive sound pressure level.
Technical Data - Scala 3.6
Acoustics:
Frequency range:
Distortion:
Sound pressure level:
31 Hz - 20 kHz (-3 dB)
max. 0.9%
(96 dB SPL / 1m, low-reflection room)
Front view
Side view
250 mm
min. 105 dB SPL (1m, 1kHz with 100 Hz wobbled, low-
reflection room)
Speaker chassis:
Bass
Mid-range
Treble dome
4 x 155 mm
1 x 155 mm
1 x 25 mm
Electrical:
Audio connectors
Input (Master):
Output (Master):
Amplifier:
Cinch, digitally: AES EBU, SP/DIFF
4 pin. XLR > Connection to Slave
3 x 130 watts max (per speaker)
Phase-linear digital filter
Special features:
Dimensions:
Cabinet:
1870 mm x 180 mm x 250 mm
( h front x w front x d)
1910 mm x 145 mm
( h rear x w rear )
Socket :
20 mm x 395 mm x 295 mm
( h x w x d )
Top view
145 mm
General Data:
Power supply:
Weight:
230 volts / 500 VA
appro. 48 kg.( Master )
appro. 46 kg (Slave)
Cabinet surface, colors:
real-wood veneer cherry tree, Silver metallic
Other colors, surfaces upon request
180 mm
385 mm
Subject to change without notice
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2.2
A new milestone in digital Technology
- Prestige Digital
Based on the technology we have already successfully implemented in the Scala 3.6,
we have developed another highlight in the Digital-Active Loudspeakersystems.
Even slimmer in the dimensions, the Prestige Digital is equal to the big brother
Scala in every way. Equipped with 8 bass-chassis, this 'modifier' converts the
offered digital signals with the same superiority and also easily into an 'acoustic
experience'.
The special and extremely complex construction of the cabinet enables us to reach
these slim dimensions. Speaker chassis, specially developed and manufactured
according to the newest speaker technology, enable the Prestige Digital to reproduce
all kind of music 'purely' and 'naturally' in best possible matter. Incorruptible,
neutral and authentic, that's the way this speaker converts the digital signals
into acoustic vibrations.
Additionally, by using extremely complex and expensive technologies in manufactur-
ing, we can offer you brushed aluminium as the surface for this cabinet. This can
also be added to the fascinating charm of this 'modifier'.
Technical Data - Prestige Digital
Acoustics:
Frequency range:
Distortion factor:
Sound pressure level:
40 Hz - 20 kHz (-3 dB)
max. 1% (93 dB SPL / 1m, low-reflection room)
min. 104 dB SPL (1m,1kHz with 100 Hz wobbled, low-
reflection room)
Speaker chassis:
Bass
Mid-range
Treble dome
8 x 116 mm
1 x 116 mm
1 x 25 mm
Electrical:
Front view
140 mm
Side view
270 mm
Audio connectors
Input (Master):
Output (Master):
Amplifier:
Cinch, digitally: AES EBU, SP/DIFF
4pol. XLR > Connection to Slave
3 x 130 W max (per speaker)
Phase-linear digital filters
Features:
Dimensions:
Cabinet:
Height (incl. socket):
Widht:
1270 mm
140 mm
Depth:
270 mm
Socket (W x h):
260 x 390 mm
Generall data:
Top view
260 mm
Power supply:
Weight:
230 V / 500 VA
ca. 28 kg (Master)
ca. 26 kg (Slave)
Aluminum
Cabinet surface, color:
Subjects to change without notice
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2.3
The interface - DLC-2
The Revox DLC-2 acts as interface between digital (e.g. CD player, MD recorder or CD
recorder) and analogue sound sources (e.g. FM tuner or tape deck) on the one hand and
the Revox digital active loudspeaker systems on the other hand.
For operation in conjunction with analogue devices, the DLC-2 houses a state-of-the-art
analogue-to-digital converter, that converts analogue input signals to digital format.
Moreover, the DLC-2 controls the digital loudspeakers; its integrated IR receiver passes
commands to the speakers, such as switch on/off, change in volume, bass, treble or balance.
Signals coming from digital sources are transmitted to the loudspeakers without alterations
in order to avoid any loss in quality.
The DLC-2 does not feature any operating elements. You operate the DLC-2 using the IR
remote control. The switches on its back panel are for adjusting to the level of the incoming
analogue signals, a process which you need to perform only once.
The LEDs on the front panel show the selected input and an overload of the analogue input,
and a numeric display indicates the selected volume level.
Power supply is ensured by the enclosed power adapter (12V DC, 250 mA).
The DLC-2 and the Revox Exception hi-fi system are two of a kind. If you want the two to
act as one system, connect the plug on the end of the DLC-2 lead (back panel) to any Revox
link socket of the Exception hi-fi system. Now, you can operate the DLC-2 and the digital
loudspeaker system from the E 450 Exception amplifier; you can change all parameters,
such as volume, bass, treble and balance, from the keys on the amplifier and read the
corresponding settings on its display. As the DLC-2 is of modest height, it can be placed
directly under the E 450, where it is almost invisible.
Technical Data - DLC-2
Audio
Inputs:
Analogue 1 - 2,51volts/ 47 kohms (adjustable)
Digital 1 Coax (electrical)
Digital 2 TOSLINK (optical)
Output:
Digital Coax (electrical)
24-bit Delta-Sigma
0.003 % (-3 dB FS)
100 dB
A/D converter:
Harmonic distortion:
Signal-to-noise-ratio:
Crosstalk attenuation:
Frequency range:
Analogue
90 dB (1kHz)
20 Hz - 20 kHz (-0,3dB)
Dimensions:
W
H
D
120 mm
23 mm
148 mm
4.7 ins
0.9 ins
5.8 ins
Front view
120 mm
Side view
COAXIAL
OPTICAL
A
N
A
L
O
G
General
DLC-2
OV
E
RL
O
A
D
Line voltage:
depends on power supply
3.4 watts (maximum)
Power consumption:
Operating conditions:
(complies with DIN 40040)
Weight
Top view
+10 – 40 °C
0.45 kg
0.2 lbs
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
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3.0 Technical details
3.1 Digital-Active Loudspeakersystem - whats' that?
The Revox digital-active loudspeakersystems consist of three parts:
1. A loudspeaker box housing with specially built, high-quality loudspeaker
drive units.
2. A digital signal processor (DSP) by Motorola, embedded in an electronic unit,
for all digital signal processing. This DSP is responsible for filtering the signals,
distributing them to the individual frequency ranges, and thus to the individual
power amplifiers. The input of the electronic unit accepts digital output signals
of various sources, such as a CD-Player, a DAT-Recorder or a MD-Recorder. The
unit automatically recognizes the sampling frequencies (32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48
kHz) of the different systems and adapts accordingly.
3. Three 130 watts power amplifiers in each box for driving the loudspeaker
drive units. As the speakers come with built-in power amplifiers, there is no
need for additional amplifiers for operation nor for an annoying search for
the right loudspeaker cables.
Future trends will probably be characterized by an increasing importance of digital
signal sources, e.g. DAB, DVB. So, buying a digital-active loudspeakersystem
means getting ready for the digital age.
3.2 Master-Slave Concept
In order to protect the system from external interference, the digital electronic
unit has been designed as tight as possible. Additionally, this unit is extensively
shielded and mounted in only one loudspeaker. For this purpose, a highly
complex 4-layer board, which normally is exclusively found in high-performance
computers, is used.
While one loudspeaker houses the digital electronic unit for both channels
left and right as well as the power amplifiers for one side (master), the other
speaker comes equipped with only the necessary power amplifiers for its side
(slave). Such a concept guarantees a high degree of operational safety and
excellent results.
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3.3 What is delay compensation by means of digital technology?
The problem is as follows:
Traditional passive and analogue active crossover networks lead to long frequency-
dependant time delays. This means that the different frequencies of a piece
of music leave the crossover network at different times, whereas during a live
performance of a music instrument, all frequencies are emitted simultaneously. The
lower the limit frequency of the network, the worse the time delay. Therefore, the
part of the network which is responsible for the bass range introduces the longest
time delay, and the part responsible for the tweeter the shortest.
In addition, so-called delay distortions occur due to varying driver dimensions.
In a loudspeaker, as in an electromagnet, the voice coil is forced to move by
electric current. Since the tweeter is much smaller than the woofer, the tweeter’s
voice coil is placed nearer to the front of the loudspeaker, which results in an
additional delay.
In consequence of these two delays, high frequencies always reach the human
ear first with conventional loudspeakers. Extensive scientific tests have shown
that the human ear is capable of perceiving such differences if they are of a
certain degree.
By means of digital technology, Revox is now in a position to ensure a consistent
signal processing time for all frequencies. When using a digital crossover network,
distortions, which a passive or analogue active crossover network would cause,
are compensated for as well as delays which are due to the loudspeaker drivers.
To achieve this goal, extensive testing and innumerable series of measurements
at our lab have been necessary. However, we think that our efforts have been
worthwhile.
Our Digital-Active Loudspeakersystems deliver a lifelike reproduction of music, i.e. all frequencies reach
your ear simultaneously as if you were enjoying a real performance.
3.4 Negative Impedance
Each loudspeaker driver has a copper wire voice coil which acts as an ohmic
resistor. Since it is a coil, it also constitutes of course a complex AC resistance,
an inductivity. Together with the diaphragm, those two resistors form the
so-called impedance.
If you apply a pulse to such a voice coil, the diaphragm connected to this coil is
deflected into one direction and afterwards gradually decays. This motion can
be compared to the movement of a pendulum which has been given a push.
However, the motion in the loudspeaker is damped by the magnet. Depending
on the magnet’s strength, the oscillation slowly or quickly ebbs away. Yet, this
post-pulse oscillation is undesirable, because one pulse leads to a series of
oscillations instead of only one, which, in turn, strongly influences the musical
reproduction. It leads, for example, to booming bass, overemphasized bass, strange
sound behavior of the medium and high frequencies.
Revox uses amplifiers with so-called negative impedance for all three ways. This
patented method compensates for the impedance of the loudspeaker driver. To
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balance the tolerances of the voice coils, which are caused by the tolerance of
the wire, different winding, etc., each amplifier is specially adjusted to the single
drivers when the loudspeaker is assembled.
The result of this exacting method is a precise control of the motions of the voice
coil and consequently of the speaker’s diaphragm. A pulse does no longer give rise
to many decreasing vibrations but to one single oscillation.
The Revox Digital-Active Loudspeakersystems offer an unequalled, precise reproduction of music which is
reflected by full bass, crisp mid-range, and brilliant treble.
Traditional loudspeaker
Input signal
Signals reach the ear at the wrong time
Revox Digital-Active Loudspeaker Sytems
Input signal
Signals reach the ear at the right time
Graphic to show the sound distribution at different speaker systems
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3.5 Why an extensive bracing of the cabinet ?
The loudspeaker cabinet is very tall. Moreover, there are several vents for the
speaker drivers on the front panel. As a result, transmission of vibrations from
the drivers to the cabinet can hardly be prevented. However, to avoid such
vibrations, stiffening ribs are optimally placed within the cabinet. By implementing
this, admittedly, slightly extreme measure, we have succeeded in eliminating
all vibrations.
3.6 How works the digital volume and tone adjustement ?
Digital servo components are used to set volume, tone, and balance. They are
nearly ever-lasting as they do not contain any mechanical parts. Furthermore,
they are maintenance-free and very precise. Moreover, the intelligent software
monitors and limits the volume level when the system is switched on in order
to avoid an unpleasant surprise. You conveniently operate the system by using
an IR remote control.
3.7 Why several loudspeaker drivers ?
Due to the slim appearance and the pleasing design, it is not possible to use a large
woofer with an accordingly large surface of the diaphragm. However, to achieve
similar low-frequency foundation, the surface of the diaphragm is divided among
several separate drivers. A big advantage of these relatively small woofers is that
the smaller diaphragms have an increased dimensional stability. Additionally, special
magnets reduce harmonic distortions, i.e. the non-linear distortion factor.
As the woofers cause air vibrations, a small enclosure is built into the loudspeaker
cabinet in order to protect the mid-range driver from their influence. A specially
built driver with extremely low harmonic distortion is used for the mid-range. The
treble dome is equipped with a broadly radiating aluminum diaphragm. We have
paid special attention to the weight of the coil and the diaphragm and reduced
their weight as much as possible.
3.8 Monitoring of electrical and thermal parameters
At Revox, the quality of the loudspeakers is permanently monitored. Each Digital-
Active Loudspeakersystem undergoes a 14 hours burn-in test before shipment. To
ensure that the electrical requirements are fulfilled, our manufacturing department
works with sophisticated computer measuring equipment. And even when in
operation, the loudspeaker is constantly monitored. The electronic unit permanently
measures the temperature of the heat sink. If, for some reason, the heat sink
overheats, the electronic unit shuts down automatically, and a LED lights up.
Moreover, the power fed to the loudspeakers is constantly monitored. If the load
is too heavy for a driver, it is reduced.
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4.0 The digital sources, recommendations
Exception CD-Player E 426
The E 426 CD-Player is a user-friendly top loader that allows you to change CDs
easily and quickly. As it carries latest generation Hall motor drives, there are no
mechanical influences while the discs are read, which makes the E 426 a lifelong
companion. As far as signal processing is concerned, we strictly separated the
digital from the analogue path by employing two transformers and two power
supply circuits to eliminate possible mutual influencing. Top quality components
ensure an optimum conditioning of the signals which are fed in their purest
form to the outputs. Balanced and single-ended connectors act as interface
to external equipment.
This is our top recommendation for the Digital-Active Loudspeakersystems.
Features:
- Top Loader
- Brand new Disc Drive VAM 1205 with hall motor
- High-quality D/A converter technology for outstanding sound and least possible
distortion
- Separate power supplies for digital and analogue circuits
- Remote control for the whole Exception system
- Big LCD-Display
- Highest-quality operational amplifiers for the output stage
- Strictly separated path for analogue and digital signals
- 2 digital outputs (BNC, coaxial) for direct digital recording
- Symmetrical analogue outputs
- Additional cinch connectors for the analogue output signal
- Easy functions together with the amplifier E 450
- Big variety for programming
- Random play for all tracks on the CD
- Random play for the programmed tracks
- Autoplay, after inserting the CD and pushing the close button, the CD-player
starts playing
- Controllable by IR control
- Sheet metal chassis
- Bicolor aluminum housing with an outstanding design
Elegance CD-Player S 22
The Elegance S 22 CD player excels due to its mesmerizing sound reproduction
and high-quality drive. The digital output, which can be switched off, and the
bitstream digital/ analogue converter make this CD player a true masterpiece
which lets nothing get in the way of your perfect musical experience as it
features only a few control elements, logical operating procedures, and simple
programming.
- Slim form factor (430 x 265 x 70 mm)
- Vacuum fluorescent display
- Gold plated connectors
- Aluminum front panel and housing
- High-quality components
- Frequency range: 2 Hz - 20 kHz
- Coaxial digital output (switchable)
- Bitstream D/A-converter
- Highly efficient error correction
- Switchable phase
- Controllable by infrared control
- Available in silver and black
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SCHWEIZ: Revox Schweiz AG, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Althardstrasse 146, Telefon +41 1 871 66 11, Fax +41 1 871 66 19
DEUTSCHLAND: Revox GmbH, D-78048 VS-Villingen, Am Krebsgraben 15 , Telefon +49 7721 8704 0, Fax +49 7721 8704 29
Zentralservice: Revox GmbH, D-78048 VS-Villingen, Am Krebsgraben 15 , Telefon + 49 7721 8704 43, Fax +49 7721 8704 49
e-mai: [email protected]
Copyright by REVOX GmbH, D-78048 VS-Villingen. 10.30.0347
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