Black EX integrated

Black EX Integrated

The Black EX Integrated amplifier is an all-in-one component designed in a custom plated high-grade aluminum chassis that combines high-level DAC performance and our custom amplification. The EX Integrated has the versatility to connect to any source with simplicity and ease, including MQA, Roon, DSD, and includes an internal programmable phono stage.

Description

Black EX Integrated

The Black EX Integrated amplifier is an all-in-one component designed in a custom plated high-grade aluminum chassis that combines high-level DAC performance and our custom amplification. The EX Integrated has the versatility to connect to any source with simplicity and ease, including MQA, Roon, DSD, and includes an internal programmable phono stage.

The Black EX Integrated is based on the ground-breaking ACI 600, which is a new breed of integration that maximizes synergy and optimizes performance. The input, DAC, and amplifier designs provide the most efficient signal path, and eliminate the variability and complexity of separates. The EX Integrated utilizes Bel Canto’s proprietary board technologies from the advanced HDR-II core in the DAC, to the AMiP input, and the custom high-power amplifier rated at 250/500 watts. Each input is designed to provide uncompromised sound from any source, whether you’re streaming music through ethernet or USB, using the full suite of digital inputs, line level inputs, or sub outputs, or listening to records via the internal MM/MC software controlled analog phono stage.

The EX Integrated is designed to manage the complexity of all audio sources and control functions with ease and efficiency. The volume and system functions are controlled by manually pressing and rotating the control dial on the front of the unit, or by using the IR custom remote control, or with your iPhone/iPad and the custom iOS SEEK app. The fully programmable display is easy to read and illuminates system status indicating source and volume. It also displays all programming functions and serves as the streaming display for meta data.

All source inputs are asynchronously re-clocked into the fully balanced advanced segment DAC measuring below 0.001% distortion and 126dB of dynamic range. By stripping away the source clock and using Bel Canto’s custom ULN master clock circuitry we significantly reduces both jitter and distortion preserving the delicate audio signals from all sources.

Asynchronous ethernet connects you to the most compelling and power musical source available today. Bel Canto’s proprietary asynchronous ethernet and USB-A inputs provide the highest level of performance for high resolution files up to 24bits at 192ks/s, MQA, and DSD64. This allows you to connect to a variety of subscription streaming service or source from your personal library that is stored on a NAS (networked attached storage) drive, or a multi-terabyte independent drive to the USB-A all providing full server function with complete iOS wireless control using our SEEK control App.

Asynchronous Digital SPDIF AES, RCA and Toslink inputs all operate at 24/192Ks.

Asynchronous USB2.0 Audio is compatible with any PCM source up to 24/348, MQA, and DSD 128 (DoP). Windows-based computers require our custom driver. USB2.0 works natively in OSX.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information. The MQA logo is a trade mark of MQA Limited. © MQA Limited 2017

RS232 is designed to support easy integration with sophisticated whole house control systems.

The MM/MC phono section is a low noise, low distortion circuit that is fully programmable for optimum application with wide range of quality cartridges from high output MM 2.5mV to 5mV to low output MC 0.25mV to 0.5mV to optimized performance.

The line level analog input also can be programmed to gain match your analog sources and achieve the best performance from all analog sources. The line output can be connected to a powered subwoofer.

The front panel headphone jack opens up high quality sound for your favorite headphones. Plug in your headphones and the EX Integrated configures itself into a superb headphone amplifier with a high performance buffer stage that can drive down to 32 ohm. Control the output level using the main control, allowing you to select the headphone or main speaker output while leaving the headphones in place.

Our new AMiP (Asynchronous Multi-Input Processor) Platform manages all the inputs of the Black EX Integrated amplifier. It is a powerful custom asynchronous core with 6 processor units that consist of: 2-32 bit XMOS general purpose processors, 2-32 bit ARM processors units as well as 2-dedicated audio processors. These together handle the ethernet interface that works with Roon Ready and DLNA servers, USB-A host streaming input, a USB2-24/384 input, legacy digital SPDIF/AES/TOS inputs and analog line level and phono inputs. The AMiP platform handles DSD and MQA processes and our custom Time Optimized Filter with integer up-sampling. There is a high-performance MM/MC programmable phono stage and 2-line level inputs that feed a high dynamic range 24/192 ADC into the processor core. Dual free running Ultra-Low Phase Noise Master Clocks direct all the digital processing and strip any incoming jitter from external digital input streams. There is a 32-bit ARM core processor that handles the user interface and coordination of the AMiP Platform. The AMiP platform feeds our HDR-II DAC core running on a dedicated power supply through a custom digital interface. This is where volume control is performed using 32-bit math, the HDR-II core achieves 126dB of dynamic range, higher than any analog volume control could achieve for completely transparent volume control function. The HDR-II also has an asynchronous interface with a free running Ultra-Low Phase Noise Master Clock positioned adjacent to the Digital to Analog Converters. It includes a 64-bit dedicated audio Digital Signal Processor to provide completely transparent Bass Management, sophisticated Tilt and Bass EQ functions and allows us to fine tune things like the RIAA response in the phono section. There is a secondary DAC (112dB dynamic range) that drives the line output and provides headphone and subwoofer output capability with bass management features. Bel Canto’s High Dynamic Resolution-II (HDR-II) core is a highly refined Digital to Analog Core.

Black EX Integrated Manual
Maximum Data Input Rates:
24bit Data to 192ks/s: AES, SPDIF, TOSLINK
24bit Data to 192ks/s, MQA, and DSD64: 10/100 Ethernet
24bits to 384ks/s, MQA, and DSD64/128 (DoP): USB2 Audio
Low Level Outputs:
Line Level Analog: 4.5Vrms with Bass Management
Headphone: 4.5Vrms maximum, 32ohm minimum load
MM/MC Input:
Input Sensitivity: MM: 2.5mV to 5mV; MC: 0.25mV to 0.5mV
Input Load: MM: 47K ohms; MC: 50, 100, 500, 1000
RIAA Accuracy: +/- 0.25dB, 50Hz-15kHz
THD+N: <0.01% 1kHz A-Weighted
SNR: >70dB A-Weighted
Line Inputs:
Maximum Input: 2.2 Vrms RCA
Input Impedance: 10k ohms RCA
THD+N: 0.003%, 1kHz
Dynamic Range: 110dB, A-weighted 20Hz-20kHz
Loudspeaker Output:
Maximum Power Output: 500W-4ohm, 250W-8ohm
Minimum Load: 2 ohms
Peak Output Current: 25 amperes
Frequency Response: -3 dB 0.5Hz-50kHz, all loads
Output connections: 2-pair WBT Nextgen binding posts
Performance:
Dynamic Range: 126dB A-weighted
THD+N: <0.001% 1W, 1kHz, 4 ohms
IMD (CCIF): <0.001%, 1W, 18.5:19.5kHz 1:1, 4 ohms
General:
Power Usage On: 40W
Power Usage Off: 0W
Internally Set Operating Voltages: 100-120VAC, 220-240VAC 50/60 Hz
Dimensions: 17.75 W x 15.5 D x 3.5 H inches, 451 x 394 x 89mm
Weight: 25lbs (12 kg)

Features and specifications are subject to improvements and changes without prior notice.