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Description
The
USB Matchbox Plus is a professional USB-to-XLR
bi-directional stereo audio codec and monitor.
It provides unparalleled audio performance and
the facilities to critically monitor the audio
both audibly and visually. The USB Match Plus
provides USB connectivity in any application where
digital audio from a computer needs to interface
with a professional analog audio system. The unit
is USB powered, and solves the myriad of problems
caused by using common computer sound cards in
broadcast and professional audio environments.
The
Sound Card Problem
Using
a PC sound card to interface with a professional
audio system usually leads to numerous problems.
The inputs and outputs are often at the wrong
levels. The unbalanced interface creates ground
loops that cause hum and buzz. The "EMI hurricane"
within the PC case creates even more noise, and
the sound card audio quality is usually sub-par,
(despite exaggerated claims) with pedestrian design
and poor component quality. Although these shortcomings
may be accepted by a non-technical user, they
have no place in a broadcast station or professional
audio installation.
The
USB Solution
Henry
Engineering's USB Match Plus has been designed
"from the ground up" as a true professional
product that solves all of these problems. It
delivers impeccable audio quality, accurate monitoring
facilities, XLR connectivity, and the convenience
of a simple USB interface to the computer.
The
heart of the USB Match Plus is Burr Brow's Delta
Sigma 8X Oversampled codec with SpAct audio clock
recovery architecture. The codec's superb performance
is further enhanced with Henry Engineering's proprietary
L/C pre-filtering and edge-of-the-art analog circuitry
painstakingly designed by Bill Sacks, founder
of Straight Wire Audio. This carefully tuned design
eliminates the transient intermodulation products
caused by inadequate reconstruction filters found
in even high-end sound cards. Careful attention
to component selection and circuit board layout
further enhance the servo-coupled design to yield
true Audiophile performance: ultra smooth, open
and transparent "un-digital" audio with
accurate, well-defined bass and crystal-clear
highs.
In
addition, the units internal switch-mode power
system virtually eliminates ground loops through
the PC, and allows operation at true professional
levels with liberal headroom. The net result is
obvious with a simple listening test: the USB
Match Plus will sonically outperform any soundcard
and even surpass the quality of many 24 bit systems.
MS-Windows and Linux OS are supported; no special
driver or software is needed. The USB Match Plus
will operate with virtually any audio editing,
recording, or broadcast automation software at
sample rates up to 48 kHz and up to 16 bit resolution.
For
The Professional
TheUSB
Match Plus provides the functionality that professional
users require. Its dual-PLL asynchronous design
permits simultaneous record and playback. Input
and output levels are monitored using extended
range LED meters which accurately indicate headroom
relative to digital full-scale. The servo-coupled
reference-quality headphone amplifier allows critical
aural monitoring with unsurpassed detail and resolution.
Front panel controls allow precise adjustment
of input Level and L/R Balance trim. Output levels
are calibrated with recessed trimmers. Rear panel
connections include XLRs for balanced analog I/O,
Auxiliary unbalanced line inputs, and outputs
for amplified speakers. The Speaker output can
be muted with an external contact closure via
the Mute jack. The steel chassis provides effective
RF and EMI shielding. All ICs that connect to
the "outside world" are mounted in sockets.
The
USB Match Plus is 1/3 rack width, and can be rack-mounted
using the optional rack-mount shelf, or cabinet
or wall mounted using optional cabinet/wall mounting
brackets. Also available: USB Matchbox: Identical
to the USB Match Plus, but without the level meters
and headphone amplifier.
 
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