Antelope Audio Amari [13/16] Glossary

6. GLOSSARY

Balanced Connection

In contrast to an unbalanced cable, a balanced cable has three conductors in the

connector and three wires in the cable: two signal wires and a separate ground wire.

The two signal wires carry identical copies of the signal, but one has its polarity

reversed. Summing the signals will make them cancel each other out. Both signal

copies pick up the same noise as they travel along the cable, which means noise will

get canceled out as well. Balanced inputs make use of this by flipping the polarity

of the signal upon receiving it — in such a way that only the noise gets cancelled

while the audio signal is preserved. Typically, long cable runs, studio environments

and professional audio systems utilize balanced connections for this very reason.

Oven Control

Oscillator accuracy is compromised when exposed to temperature fluctuations.

Housing the oscillator in a shielded container, or “Oven” that maintains a constant

temperature brings significant benefits to the detail, dynamics, and stereo image

of the audio.

Sample Rate & Bit Depth

Once an audio signal is transformed into the digital world, it becomes a small piece

of information at a time point. By increasing the sample rate and bit depth, you also

increase the pieces of information, thus resulting in a more detailed representation

of the original analog signal. Bit depth describes the amount of bits of information

for each sample. It is addressed directly to the resolution of each sample in digital

audio data.

Atomic Clock

Based on real atomic technology, the Rubidium Atomic Reference Generator is

designed specifically to appeal to the most discerning audiophiles and audio pro-

fessionals. The technology is a staggering 100,000 times more accurate than the

quartz oscillators used in most equipment.

Word Clock

A word clock is a clock signal used to synchronise digital audio devices. S/PDIF,

AES/EBU, ADAT, and TDIF are some of the popular formats that use a word clock.

Kensington Lock

Used for locking down the device in demonstration rooms.

AES