Primare i-32 Versterker met MM30 DAC/Media Module

The I32 is an upgradable two x 120 watt integrated amplifier utilising proprietary UFPD power technology. It is designed to provide high power output with very low distortion and system control for Primare’s new 30 series range of hi-fi separates. UFPD’s instantaneous rise time results in a naturally fast, clean and agile sound over a much wider frequency range and with exceptional headroom. Ecologically the I32 is far superior to conventional Class A/B designs being extremely efficient without generating excessive heat. In addition it provides a special eco-friendly standby mode of just 0.2 W.

 

The I32 houses two discrete UFPD amplifiers housed in a heavy gauge alloy steel chassis, which provides strength, rigidity, and screening, while being effective at damping vibrations from external sources. To reduce distortion the pre-amp section is isolated from the power section as far as possible, being fed by a dedicated power supply. The I32 incorporates 2 pairs (L,R) of low-noise balanced XLR inputs and 3 pairs of RCA inputs. There are 2 pairs of RCA outputs: pre-out and record. There will also be the option of an upgrade board offering MEDIA/streaming connections like USB, iPod, LAN etc. All signal paths are as short as possible and all signal treatments (source selection, volume and channel balance trims) are performed purely in the analogue domain. Unbalanced inputs are converted to balanced signals by a conversion stage buffered by the excellent sounding Burr Brown OPA2134 op-amps and fed to volume and balance controls employing closely matched LM1972 attenuators in a balanced configuration. Source selection is via high performance signal relays.

 

Ultra Fast Power Device (UFPD) Class-D Amplifier

The use of switch mode power electronics is gaining in popularity as the result of its lower energy consumption and as a way to squeeze more amplifier channels into smaller spaces. Unfortunately Class D amplifiers and their switch mode power supplies have traditionally deserved a reputation for poor audio quality, characterised by rising THD with frequency. Primare’s UFPD (Ultra Fast Power Device) technology provides for the possibilities of a full-range ‘audiophile’ Class D design. It is a Class D technology which has a consistent 26dB feedback loop gain across the entire audio bandwidth and is stable way beyond the audible frequencies. This is quite easy to achieve in conventional linear ‘continuous signal’ amplifiers, but much more difficult in ‘non-continuous’ high speed switching amplifiers. Rather than have the amplifier and then the filter as discrete stages, the UFPD design integrates the two, making control with feedback much more immediate and accurate. The UFPD amplifier actively adapts the loop gain to keep the total loop stable during start up, clipping and current limit. It senses the changes to the filter output and compensates by applying the precise amount of feedback. This adaptive pole control allows for several more dBs of constant loop gain across the audio band and maintains performance irrespective of load (impedance) variations. Primare’s UFPD treats all signals equally regardless of frequency or slew rate and has the ability to suppress the filter resonance entirely. Consequently THD is kept very low at all frequencies. With a very wide ‘load independent’ frequency response UFPD is able to drive any speaker while maintaining control and accuracy. Primare has optimised the performance of its innovative UFPD design with the precise selection of circuit component values and quality, verifying the design with extensive measurement and listening.

 

- UFPD displays:

- Wide bandwidth

- Flat frequency response

- Load independant frequency response

- Low output impedance in the entire audio band

- Low THD in

 

Although switch mode power supplies have gained a reputation for noise and unreliability, the theoretical advantages of the design are well known. The rails can be regulated with precision and current demand from the mains is lower as the result of high efficiency and the absence of current spikes: energy is taken from the mains over a larger period of the sine wave. In conjunction with UFPD, Primare uses an isolated PFC (Power Factor Control) technology in the power supply, which controls the current from the mains voltage so that it is a pure sine wave with the same frequency and phase as the mains voltage. This means that even if 1000W is taken from the mains, other equipment in the room will not be affected. Its presence becomes virtually invisible to the mains voltage! The isolating stage of the converter works in a ZVS mode and as a result, the switch flanks contain a lower quantity of harmonics, providing lower EMI and a clean environment for the amplifiers to work in.

 

The I32 incorporates a very low power eco mode for standby. Power consumption is just 0.2W.

 

A media upgrade will be available, which offers up to 24 bit/192 kHz streaming of files from Internet, NAS or PCs; Internet radio content and also digital audio input from a range of devices including CD players, smart phones, personal players, sat boxes etc. See spec for full list of inputs/outputs.

 

A high quality aptX Bluetooth upgrade for the PRE60 preamplifier, NP30 network player and the MM30 equipped network streaming versions of the I32 integrated amplifier and PRE32 pre-amplifier. It takes the form of a small internal circuit board and external antenna (for improved reception), which installs easily, the threaded antenna input replacing the FM/DAB terminal on the MM30 fascia and using a vacant (pre-prepared) portal on the back panel of the PRE60 and NP30.

 

For compatibility with Primare’s high-performance audio design, the receiver-only module supports high quality Bluetooth via aptX, AAC, MP3 but rather than use an integrated DAC (as employed by other BT upgrades) the output is fed to the product’s own Sample Rate Converter and up-sampled to 192kHz for optimum performance through the existing high resolution DACs. In this way Primare’s Bluetooth Upgrade is among the most audiophile available, adding excellent Bluetooth sound quality to the convenience of wireless Bluetooth connections.

 

Following an easy software update via the PrimareApp, the BT input is added to the product control menu in a discrete BT section, which allows for the renaming of the input for the product display and the also the BT connection. The OLED display will show the device name and also indicate if the device supports AAC or aptX.

 

- Supports aptX, AAC, MP3 for high quality Bluetooth audio.

- The upgrade comes with an external antenna for better reception.

- The Primare BT Upgrade is a receiver only. The incoming signal is fed to the product’s SRC, is up-sampled to 192kHz and then runs through the product’s high performance DACs.

- Installation is easy; software update is through the PrimareApp or from the MENU.

- BT input is added to the product MENU, BT-input name and Bluetooth name are editable

- OLED display will show device name.

- If the device supports AAC or aptX it will pop up on the OLED display.

 

An easy set-up menu is available via the I32’s graphical display, which is dimmable in four steps. The display auto-dims after a few seconds and return to programmed brightness at the touch of a control. Set-up includes power-up volume, input re-naming (up to 6 characters), input disabling

and trim function (volume and balance) for each input in steps of 1dB.

 

- Output Power:        2x 120W at 8Ohm 2x 230W at 4Ohm

- Analogue Inputs: 2 pair XLR (L & R) 3 pair RCA (L & R)

 

Optional Media i/o module:

- 2x Digital Coaxial input (2 RCA input jacks)

- 1x Digital Optical input (1 Toslink)

- 1x Digital Coaxial output (1 RCA jack)

- 1x USB data input

- 1x Comp or S-video o/p (TBD) for iPod/iPhone video playback

- 1x SD memory data input with converter to USB incorporated in the underside connector box (optional).

- 1x LAN input (1 RJ45 jack)

- 1x Wi-Fi /1x DAB/FM antenna (External jacks, DAB and FM using the common antenna) Digital and analogue audio for iPod/iPhone interface

 

- Input Impedance: Both RCA and XLR 36kOhm

- Analogue Record Output: 1 pair RCA (L & R)

- Pre Out: 1 pair RCA (L & R)

- Output Impedance: RCA 94Ohm

- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20kHz, -0.5dB

- THD + N: < 0.05%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 10W at 8Ohm

- Signal to Noise: -100 dBv

- Power Consumption Standby: 0.2W; Operate: 31W

- Weight: 11,5kg

- Width: 430 mm

- Depth: 385 mm

- Height:100 mm

 

The Media Upgrade adapts the EISA award-winning I32 integrated amplifier and the recently introduced PRE32 stereo amplifier for audiophile streaming, internet radio and gapless audio playback, through integration with UPnP devices such as PC/Mac/NAS iPod®, iPad®, iPhone® or USB thumb drive. It’s a genuine 24/192 DAC board including coax, TOSLINK, USB-A and USB-B inputs (incorporating an asynchronous master clock for low jitter), and a high resolution coax output. The I32 and PRE32 can be purchased with or without media upgrade. Primare Control Apps will be available for iPhone/iPad and Android.

 

External Inputs:

- 1 Coax input at 192kHz

- 3 Toslink inputs at 192kHz

- (1 antenna input for DAB or FM signals – future upgrade)

- 1 asynchronous USB-B input allowing playback of 192kHz audio from a computer

- 1 asynchronous USB-A input, allowing the device to play audio from USB/Iphone

- 1 Coax output transmitting at 192 kHz. Always connected to the active input source.

Each input will have its default name, but can be renamed by the user (up to six characters) in the same way as any other input in the I32/PRE32 display architecture. The inputs are selected using the C23 remote control or the front panel input selector switch.

- Coax input

- Toslink 1-3

- USB-B input (from computer USB interface)

- USB-A input, allowing the device to play audio from USB/Iphone

- MEDIA input – this input must be selected to play streaming media.

- DAB+/FM – (this is a future board upgrade)

 

- Switch to the MEDIA input

- Use either the Primare App (for Iphone®/Ipad®, or the Android version) or any generic UPnP App.

- Some features, like playing media from USB thumb drive, USB-connected Iphone, Ipod®, Ipad®, and playing vTuner, require the use of the Primare App.

 

The Media board can be connected to a wired or wireless network. Network settings can be found under general settings, and allow the user to:

- scan for wireless networks

- explicitly name a network SSID

- Configure DHCP or Fixed IP