Description
Warwick Acoustics APERIO Reference Electrostatic Headphone System
Hand Made To Order. Please Contact Us For Details. Thank you.
The new Warwick Acoustics APERIO reference headphone system strives to deliver the highest level of audio performance achievable, by means of our proprietary planar electrostatic technology. Aperio is designed without compromise to set new standards in sound reproduction, and to redefine the level of audio performance achievable in a headphone system.
The APERIO utilises a highly-refined, evolutionary advancement of technology originally developed by Warwick Acoustics for it’s ground-breaking and multi-award-winning Sonoma Model One Headphone System.
Warwick Acoustics had two primary design objectives for the Headphones:
1) the headphone must provide the optimum mechanical and acoustical conditions for the BD-HPEL transducer that enable the best audio performance and sound quality possible to be achieved and,
2) the headphone must be comfortable for the user, even under critical monitoring conditions, for extended periods of time.
The APERIO is designed for demanding applications that require ultra-high resolution and higher output levels.
The APERIO has been optimized for resolving the most minute, low-level details present on any form of audio media. These capabilities must be achieved without inducing distortion artifacts and other anomalies, such as “listener fatigue”. Sound reproduction quality and audio performance should be identical at all listening levels.
The APERIO features a wide range of inputs, including balanced and unbalanced analog, AES3 (AES/EBU), S/PDIF Coaxial, USB and Ethernet (LAN).
The APERIO is unique in being a fully networkable product that exceeds typical DLNA limitations and allows digital audio reproduction of native or DoP 256 fs DSD and higher sample rate PCM formats to 384 kHz.
Within the APERIO all audio signals are kept in their native domain and format: analog always remains analog; DSD stays DSD until its final conversion to analog; PCM sample rates are never converted. The signal path is pure, as direct as possible and unadulterated.
The APERIO also features an exceptional Line Output section for driving other electronics and sound reproduction components that include outboard amplifiers and loudspeakers. Balanced and unbalanced outputs are capable of driving very long cables to the highest levels with prodigious current delivery. For studio applications, downstream components connected by 150-meter balanced cables can be driven to 15 dBu without distortion.
The Line Output feature, in conjunction with an uncompromised Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), preamplifier functionality and outstanding audio fidelity, enable the APERIO to perform optimally as the central hub of a state-of-the-art, two-channel studio monitoring system or ultra-high-end home audio system.
The APERIO indicates its output level in precise 0.1 dB increments via a front panel full-color, high-resolution display. This display also alerts the user if any faults such as output clipping, overheating or disconnected cables are detected.
The APERIO’s firmware is updateable via its USB input, using a simple APP for any Windows / MAC / Linux-based host. This feature allows users to keep the APERIO current and up-to-date over its full lifetime.
Specifications:
Headphones:
- Configuration
- Open-back; circumaural type
- Transducer
- Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate (BD-HPEL)
- Effective Diaphragm Area
- 140.5 in2 (3570 mm2)
- Frequency Response
- 10 Hz – 60kHz
- Output Level (SPL)
- Compliant with EN 60065/A12:2011 (EN50332) when driven by APERIO electronics (for all inputs)
Digitial Input: ~104 dB;br />Analog Input: ≥106 dB (continuous, est.)
- Ear and Headband Cushions
- “Cabretta” top-grain, sheepskin leather;
perforated surface on ear cushions - Input
- Polarized, 4-pin, self-latching connectors for left and right channels
- Drive Cable
- Dual Mono, shielded, ultra-low capacitance;
Silver-plated OFHC ultra-fine stranded copper with silicone insulationand Kevlar reinforcement;
2 meters - Weight
- 14 oz. (399 grams) without cable
Amplifier Dac:
- Balanced Analog Inputs
- Dual (female) XLR jacks; switchable (high / low) input range; 18 dBu / 10 dBu
- Unbalanced Analog Inputs
- Dual RCA jacks; switchable (high / low) input range; 5.0 Vrms / 2.1 Vrms
- USB Digital Input
- Type B jack; USB 2.0; accepts digital audio formats up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD (DSD64/DSD128/DSD256) via DoP or Native
- Network (Ethernet LAN) Digital Input
- RJ45 jack; DLNA-compatible; accepts digital audio formats up to 32-bit / 384 kHz
PCM and DSD (DSD64/DSD128/DSD256) via DoP or Native - AES3 (AES/EBU) Digital Input
- XLR (female) jack; accepts digital audio formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM
- S/PDIF Coaxial Digital Input
- RCA jack; accepts digital audio formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM
- Line Outputs
- Balanced and unbalanced, high current outputs; +5 dB gain; switchable
- Digital Formats
- PCM: 16-32 bit / up to 384 kHz; DSD: up to 256 fs DoP and Native
- Equalization
- HP only: digital EQ (DSP) for PCM sources; analog EQ for analog and DSD sources
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- 64-bit (double-precision) fixed-point processing at native sample rates
- Switchable Gain
- Rear panel switch; high level / low level selection for balanced analog input (professional audio and consumer levels) and unbalance analog input
- Source Selection
- Multi-position front panel selector with indicator LEDs for all sources
- Level Control
- Front panel, 31-position; digital and analog domain colume control (HP & Line Out)
- Status Display
- Front panel, 51mm, full color, QVGA, TFT LCD (240 x 320 pixels)
- Display Functions
- Digital readout and bar graph of volume control setting; display of digital audio data format; display of rear panel analog input (gain) settings; display of Ethernet and USB data link transmission lock; display of detected fault modes and output clipping
- Auto Fault Detection
- Automatic detection, display and protection for: output amplifier clipping, unplugged connections and malfunctioning wiring, over-temperature conditions and internal electrical faults
- DACs
- 2 x dual mono, 32-bit / 384 kHz DACs with balanced outputs, for PCM & DSD inputs
- Amplifier/Energizer
- Balanced, discrete MOSFET, high-bias, single-ended Class A output; dual mono topology, including power supple; 18 00 CDC bias (charge) voltage
- Distortion + Noise
- <0.001%
- Bandwidth
- >65 kHz
- Enclosure
- CNC-machined 6063 aluminum
- Power Supply
- External: world voltage compatible (90-264 Volt AC, 50-60 Hz); 24 Volt DC, 200 VA (8.333 A), fixed frequency, class B-compliant SMPS;
Internal: isolated, dual mono; switching and ultra-low-noise linear regulation
