BRAX 12 Channel DSP

The impossible sometimes takes a little more time - from the initial idea in 2011 to the start of sales at the end of 2018, the completely newly developed BRAX DSP went through the longest and most complex development process that has ever existed in the history of Audiotec Fischer. Eagerly awaited by customers around the world, we proudly present the most advanced digital signal processor that will undoubtedly set new standards in terms of sound quality and functionality.
Not only is it the first signal processor on the market to rightly bear the BRAX logo, but it also raises the standard to a level that has never been seen before. Audiotec Fischer has spared no effort to take every single detail of this technological masterpiece to the extreme.

The heart of this signal processor consists of no less than three (3!) of the most powerful 64-bit audio DSPs from Analog Devices' Sigma350 series. The concentrated computing power of 3.6 billion MAC operations per second makes it possible to operate the entire signal path with the native sampling frequency of 192 kHz and thus expand the audio frequency response up to 80 kHz. The signal conversion itself is carried out by Asahi Kasei's AD and DA converters, which are currently the best in terms of sound, with measured values ​​beyond the previous imagination.

With regard to the power supply within the device, an almost epic effort was made as the indispensable basis for perfect sound quality. An armada of no fewer than 55 voltage regulators smooths and stabilizes all supply voltages of each individual assembly separately. A new, enormously powerful 32-bit CoProcessor (ACO) constantly measures all voltage values ​​and temperatures and guarantees optimally fast communication with the DSP PC-Tool software and the optional DIRECTOR remote control.

But in addition to all its technical advantages, the BRAX DSP also marks the beginning of a completely new era in terms of connectivity. Its unique, modular concept allows both the inputs and the outputs to be configured as analog or digital plug-in modules. There are also two slots for expansion cards (BEC – BRAX Extension Card) and a link module for future system expansion. So it's hard to imagine that the BRAX DSP, with its unprecedented flexibility, isn't able to implement every conceivable system configuration - whether today or in the future.

The overall "work of art" is completed by a mechanical concept, which gives the impression of immortality at first glance. Here, too, the enormous effort - starting with the massive heat sink in the typically linear BRAX design through to the cinch sockets milled from solid material - can be seen down to the smallest detail.

Features

• Three extremely powerful "fixed-point" Sigma350 audio processors with 64-bit resolution and a total processing power of 3.6 billion MAC operations per second

• State-of-the-art Asahi Kasei "Velvet Sound" A/D and D/A converter with a native resolution of 32 bits

• 192 kHz sampling rate for Ultra High-Res audio bandwidth up to 80 kHz

• Reference measurement values ​​close to the possible measurement limit for eg signal-to-noise ratio and distortion factor

• Modular structure with 8 input and 12 output channels; interchangeable analogue or digital input and output modules to cover any imaginable system configuration

• 4 stereo input modules with either analog cinch/high-level inputs or digital optical/coaxial SPDIF inputs

• Analog inputs with a particularly wide control range for the input sensitivity

• ADEP.3 circuit for the high-level inputs to bypass radio diagnostic systems

• 6 stereo output modules with either analogue RCA outputs or digital optical / coaxial SPDIF outputs

• Output modules with switchable sampling rate (48, 96 or 192 kHz)

• Analogue output modules with variable filter characteristics and selectable output voltage of 2, 4 or 8 volts

• Muting of the analog output stages via relays with gold-plated contacts

• Additional stereo SPDIF input (optical / coaxial) and link module for system extensions

• Double BRAX Extension Card slot (BEC) for optional extension modules such as Bluetooth ® audio streaming, high-res USB audio interface, etc.

• Unique DSP sound effects such as "Augmented Bass Processing" for dynamic optimization of the bass reproduction of the subwoofer, "StageXpander" for broadening the stereo perspective, the "RealCenter" function, which enables the driver and front passenger to have an equally perfectly focused stage image and much more

• Incomparably complex, start-stop capable power supply concept with a total of 55 voltage regulators

• DiSAC (Digital Signal Analog Controlled) volume control in connection with the BRAX MX4 PRO

• ACO – Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor for all control and communication tasks

  • 10 internal memory locations for sound setups

  • Lightning-fast switching between sound setups

  • High speed data transmission and improved usability

• Exclusive use of the finest components with minimal tolerances; installed in a solid aluminum housing

• Basic board circuit board in 8-layer design for optimal signal transport and particularly low-impedance power supply

• Analog audio routing exclusively on the input and output modules

DSP features

RealCenter

The "RealCenter" function is an Audiotec Fischer proprietary algorithm that emphasizes the monaural information of the left and right front channels to create a unique center signal. In contrast to conventional methods, in which only the channels are summed up, there is also a dynamic control of the center signal through the stereophonic information content of the left and right channel. This means that the center channel does not reproduce a signal if only the left channel or only the right channel provides an audio signal. With the usual algorithms, the center channel would only be 6 dB quieter in this case. Audiotec Fischer's "RealCenter" thus enables a unique, wide-ranging stage image - and that's ideal for driver and passenger alike!

Augmented bass processing

Audiotec Fischer's proprietary "Augmented Bass Processing", consisting of the two revolutionary sound features: "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" and "SubXpander". These are specifically designed to dramatically improve bass response from subwoofers.
"Dynamic Bass Enhancement" combines in an ingenious way maximum deep bass foundation and high maximum sound pressure - regardless of the type of music you are listening to or the sound settings on the radio. Depending on the input signal, "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" boosts the lower frequency range on the one hand and varies the cut-off frequency of the subsonic filter on the other. The result is a significantly more powerful, deeper bass reproduction at low and medium volumes without running the risk of mechanically or electrically overloading the subwoofer at high volumes. It's simply fascinating what kind of bass performance is suddenly possible.
If you want the bass range to be a little deeper and "blacker", you can also activate the "SubXpander". Here, additional subharmonic tones are added to the fundamental tones in the frequency range between 50 and 100 Hz.

StageXpander

Depending on the arrangement of the loudspeakers in the vehicle, a more or less wide stereo stage can be created on the front seats. If a center loudspeaker is also installed, this sometimes additionally limits the spatial reproduction of the music. This is where Audiotec Fischer's new "StageXpander" comes into its own - a sound feature that seems to remove the acoustic boundaries and thus enables a significantly broader stereo base without negatively affecting the precision in the localization of voices or instruments. The effect can be adjusted to personal taste in four stages.

ClarityXpander

Would you like more transparency and substance in the high-frequency reproduction? Audiotec Fischer now offers exactly the right tool for this with the "ClarityXpander".
Correctly dosed (and therefore selectable in three stages), it gives the overtones additional radiance - particularly useful if the original loudspeakers lack the necessary shine in the high-frequency range. The extra treble kick is not only available for the two front channels, but also separately adjustable for the center channel. And because a little too much in connection with musical material rich in overtones tires the ear, especially with the latter, an automatic, dynamic control of the additional overtone component can even be activated here.

Technical specifications

Inputs

Up to 8 x RCA + 8 x high-level speaker inputs or
up to 4 x stereo SPDIF In optical / coaxial
1 x optical SPDIF (12 - 96 kHz)
1 x coaxial SPDIF (12 - 192 kHz)
1 x Remote In
1 x remote control input

Input Sensitivity

RCA 1 - 8 volt
high level 3.5 - 30 volts

Outputs

Up to 12 x RCA or 6 x stereo SPDIF out optical / coaxial (48 / 96 / 192 kHz)
1 x remote out
1x SPDIF link

Output Voltage 2 / 4 / 8 volts RMS switchable

Frequency Range 5Hz - 80,000Hz

DSP resolution 64 bits

DSP computing power 3 x 295 MHz (3.6 billion MAC operations/second)

Sampling Rate 192kHz

DSP type 3 x audio signal processor

signal converter A/D: Asahi Kasei AK5572EN 32bit D/A: Asahi Kasei AK4490EQ 32bit

Signal to noise ratio digital input 122 dB (A-weighted)

Signal-to-noise ratio analog input 116 dB (A-weighted)

Distortion (THD+N) digital input <0.0004%

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) analog input <0.0006%

Intermodulation Distortion Digital Input <0.0013%

Intermodulation distortion analog input <0.002%

Crosstalk > 110dB (1kHz)

Operating Voltage 10.5 - 16 volts (max. 5 sec down to 6 volts)

power consumption 2400mA

Max remote output current 500mA

Additional Features Modular input/output concept,

2 x BEC slot, ground switch, 32-bit co-processor,

control input, ADEP.3 circuit, auto remote switch,

DiSAC volume setting in conjunction with BRAX MATRIX MX4 PRO

Dimensions

(H x W x D) 310mm x 200mm x 56mm