DAC (19kHz + 20kHz) CCIF IMD test

[Tranquility Bass]

Test Methodology:

The configuration is loaded with a twin tone in the signal generator, with two high frequency tones (19kHz + 20kHz) at amplitudes of -7dBFS each, and separated in frequency by 1kHz. The analyzer measuring the first-order difference frequency at 1kHz using a highly-selective FFT-based filter.



Test Results:

• 2-Channel Direct DAC mode
• 2-Channel Preamplifier Mode using the ASRC
• IMD vs Ampltude
• DEQX PreMate, HF intermodulation spectrum from a Stereophile review

Conclusion:

The following test results show that the IMD distortion of the Ultimate Preamplier is exceedingly low and betters the performance of the DEQX Pre-mate by a long margin !

[Tranquility Bass]

[Tranquility Bass]

[Tranquility Bass]

[Tranquility Bass]

Fig.12 DEQX PreMate, HF intermodulation spectrum, DC to 30kHz, 19+20kHz at 0dBFS into 100k ohms (left channel blue, right red; linear frequency scale).

Note how the noise floor is lifted up by the two tones whereas this is totally absent in the UP spectrum above ! Again the UP wins hands down !