Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Wolfson Microelectronics | Subject: WM8741
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 08 January 2008
DAC helps create the future of music
Linn uses the world's best-sounding DAC in its new Akurate DS digital streaming source.
Wolfson's flagship WM8741 AudioPlus Pure Sound chip (billed as the world's best-sounding DAC) is the key to the sound experience in Linn's new Akurate DS digital streaming source The WM8741 manages the high-bitrate audio conversion in the Akurate DS - a device described as "the future of music" and a new source product that elevates the performance of the flexible high-performance Akurate separates system, to unprecedented levels of accuracy and value
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 9 Oct 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is the second successive Linn product design to use the WM8741.
Key to Linn's device selection was the WM8741's ability to deliver exceptional quality sound and performance, with a perceived warmth to the music.
This is thanks to Wolfson's proprietary, user selectable, digital filter designs bringing about a new level of audio performance.
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Furthermore, Linn cited the WM8741 as the "most accurate sounding" and "the only chip out there that fully meets our needs".
The WM8741 has also been selected for Linn's flagship system, the Klimax DS, following a five way competitive pitch.
Pure Sound is part of Wolfson's AudioPlus strategy, adding incremental mixed-signal technologies that comprise key elements of the audio signal chain.
The flagship WM8741 chip builds on Wolfson's established track record and audio expertise to deliver its best ever sound.
The DAC is capable of delivering 128dB SNR (mono) and is configurable to meet the most demanding application requirements.
It achieves low out of band noise and world leading linearity to improve sound quality and has a range of interface options for SACD and CD playback.
"The Akurate System is targeted at the audio enthusiast who builds their system step by step and demands exceptional audio performance at every step of the process", says Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn's Director of Engineering.
"Wolfson's expertise in digital audio conversion enables us to take a no compromise approach to designing each part for the ultimate sound quality".
"The WM8741 is Wolfson's flagship in audio quality", says Peter Frith, Wolfson's CTO.
"That Linn's demanding engineers have used the WM8741 in successive product designs, speaks volumes about what we as a company can deliver".
"The knowledge gained during the WM8741 design will also be used to deliver even better audio throughout the Wolfson range, and everything from phones through to game consoles and portable navigation devices will reap the benefits from the leaps made in the WM8741's design".
The Akurate DS will be launched at the CES show in Las Vegas and will retail for approximately US $6850.
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