Knowledge Base
PS Audio Learning Center
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Guides for installing a MultiWave chip in an older Power Plant
This information applies to problems encountered when upgrading P300, P600 and P1200 Power Plants to the new Plus software. You must have MultiWave II installed for this to work properly.
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What is the PS Audio Gain Cell?
In 2004, PS Audio invented the Gain Cell™. The Gain Cell is a unique variable gain amplification stage that eliminates the need for volume controls, attenuators or potentiometers of any kind to adjust the volume in a preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
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How does a digital amplifier work?
The term "digital amplifier" is, typically, a misnomer. What most people refer to as a digital amplifier is properly refered to as a class D or PWM (pulse width modulated) amplifier. PWM class D amplifiers are, for the most part, analog based designs. They are referred to as digital amplifiers because of the way they amplify; using pulses to create the audio output in a fashion similar to a digital audio product.
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What is the advantage of a balanced interconnect?
Balanced (XLR) inputs and outputs on source equipment provide superior performance relative to unbalanced (single ended) inputs and outputs. Balanced signals have lower noise, twice the output voltage and are less immune to external noise sources.
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Long interconnects or long speaker cables?
Most Audiophiles would most likely suggest that it is preferable to keep the speaker cables as short as possible and the interconnects long enough to make up the difference. The truth is, the answer is more specific to the setup you are working with.
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What is a DAC?
A Digital to Analog Converter. Simply stated, it is a separate device used to convert the digital signal, created by a CD transport, music server or computer, into an analog signal we can hear as music.
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How does digital audio work?
Digital audio has been around for many years but was first popularized by the introduction of the CD player in 1982. Up to that point, most consumers were unaware you could convert the music we heard from vinyl records and tape recordings to a language understood only be a machine. Digital audio in its raw form is nothing more than a series of bits, the binary language used by all computers.
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What is the difference between class A and class AB?
Class A is when both devices conduct at all times while Class B is when only one device is on at any instant. These are both limiting cases and there is thus a setting between these two limits where, for small signal levels, both devices conduct but for larger levels, only one conducts. This is termed Class AB.
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What is the job of a preamp?
Preamplifiers control the volume of your system and select the appropriate input to listen to. Consider them the control center for your hifi. The two main types of preamplifiers are passive and active but both perform the same function.
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Is it better to keep everything plugged in?
Sonically, it's better to leave equipment on. The problem is tubes. While tube gear certainly sounds better after it's been on for a while, tube life will be shortened if it is left on all the time.
