Created on 2009-10-09 17:30:00
New APx audio analyzer optiondelivers unprecedented 24-bit resolution when measuring out-of-band noise in Class-D amps & other modern audio devices
AES Convention, New York,October 9th, 2009: AudioPrecision, the recognized standard in audio test and measurement, today markedits 25th year in business by introducing a new ultra-high bandwidth analyzeroption for the APx525 family of audio analyzers.
The BW52 High Bandwidthoption extends the APx’s FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) capability all the way to1 megahertz, with 24-bit resolution and 2.38 Hz bin width, making APx ideal forlooking at out-of-band noise in Class-D amplifiers, sigma-delta converters andother modern audio devices. By comparison, other audio analyzers have a maximumFFT bandwidth of 250 kHz or less, making them unsuitable for looking atswitching frequencies that often center around 300-500 kHz. RF (RadioFrequency) spectrum analyzers can have much wider bandwidth, but their lowimpedance, low resolution and low tolerance to high input levels again makethem unsuitable for audio design.
“Compared to theprevious state of the art, an FFT of this length and resolution is like tradinga pair of reading glasses for the Hubble telescope,” says Bruce Hofer, Chairmanand co-founder of Audio Precision. “It’s a real achievement, and a great way tomark our 25 year anniversary.”
25 Years Of Audio Test & MeasurementLeadership
Audio Precisionrevolutionized the audio test world twenty-five years ago with the introductionof System One, the first audio analyzer to utilize the power of a PC as part ofits design. AP continued to lead the industry as new audio technologies weredeveloped: dual-domain audio analysis, 192K digital analysis, and Dolby and DTStest solutions, and more recently with the next generation APx platform, whichintroduced the first multichannel audio analyzer and the first HDMI audioanalyzer.
Price & Availability
The BW52 is supportedby the following models of APx: APx520, 521, 525 and 526. The option will beavailable in January 2010 and will cost $2500 in the USA.
A high-resolution image of a 1 MHz FFT is available for download here.
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About Audio Precision
AudioPrecision is the recognized standard in audio test and measurement, providing high-bandwidth,multichannel audio test instruments for the latest modern audio devices,including Class-D amplifiers and HDMI receivers. Since 1984, AP has offeredhigh performance audio analyzer instruments and applications to help engineersworldwide design and manufacture all types of consumer, professional andindustrial audio products. For more information, visit https://www.ap.com.