A very useful features embedded in the BLACK system architecture that is found in our E1X, BLACK EX and BLACK System Components is our DSP based BASS EQ control. This control uses precision DSP algorithms that have nothing in common with the crude +/-15dB analog Bass and Treble controls of yesteryear that have been justifiably driven from the audiophile consciousness.

 “What DAC do you use?” Many times, I have heard this question, as if the answer will somehow reveal a magic door into Bel Canto’s musical soul. The simple answer, “for the past 15 years or so our ultimate DAC choice has been the PCM1792A”, doesn’t really explain much except that this venerable DAC device continues to reveal depths of performance that I would not have guessed possible those many years ago.

Seems like I have forever been on the Audio Cable Merry-Go-Round. This was brought to a head recently when I was over at a good friend’s place listening to music. I helped him put this system together using our e.One C5i Integrated amp with the e.One Stream unit to stream Tidal music into a pair of the new JBL L100 Classic speakers and some USA made audio cables that I have used at the office. I was very pleased that this system sounded great right out of the box with little time on either the speakers or the electronics.

Recently an owner of REF600M amplifiers asked if they can be bridged. I told him that this was not an option and wondered why he was asking, given that they develop more than 300 Watts into 8 ohms and 600 into 4 and still more into 2ohm loads. He replied a bit sheepishly with a funny anecdote. He and a friend went to his friend’s mother’s house to work on something and they found her struggling in her yard. His friend asked his Mother what she was doing, she said that she was trying to put up a fence to keep the wild turkeys out. His friend pointed out, “You do know that turkeys can fly Mom?”

The BLACK System concept starts with the ASC1 and subsequently the ASC2 controller/processor that receives the source information. Digital source inputs are processed to remove jitter artifacts, analog inputs are immediately converted with a high dynamic range converter.  In this way all signal inputs flow through the same optimized lossless signal path through the ASC2 Controller to the MPS1 Power Converters and out to the loudspeaker terminals.