The Generation VIII Series 3 delivers the most accurate, defined, natural sound that digital technology offers. It represents over twenty years of Theta Digital's tireless research and development in D / A converter design, and achieves the highest levels of sonic performance possible in a product category that Theta pioneered: the external DAC.
The G8S3 is a full differential, true balanced DAC preamp featuring custom-designed software-programmable digital filters feeding into two digital-to-analog converters per channel, one for each phase angle.
Here are some highlights:
•24 bit / 192 KHz digital to analog converter
•Up to 132 dB dynamic range (a 15 dB improvement over the original Generation VIII)
•Over 3X differential output current
•Stop-band attenuation of 130 dB (a 48 dB improvement over the original Generation VIII)
•Pass-band ripple ±0.00001 dB (a 200X improvement over the original Generation VIII)
•Fully differential DAC follower op-amp with 150 MHz bandwidth (a 70 MHz improvement over the original Generation VIII)
•Four new discrete analog, digitally controlled volume cards with zero offset nulling
•New input card now accepts 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz signals
The Generation VIII Series 3 is remarkable in its ability to recreate the tone of acoustic instruments, the placement and size of instruments within the sound stage, and the darkness between the players.
High frequencies are delicately reproduced, as silken as the recording offers. The bass reproduction is jaw-dropping; authoritative all the way down, never ponderous. The warmth of the string bass is right on. Electric bass has speed and power.
Resolution on voices is fine-grained: big choral works resolve individual singers, where other processors tend to sound mushy. The Generation VIII Series 3 has none of the icy quality that even some other very expensive upsamplers impart to massed voices.
Jazz recordings intimate the smoky club the music was recorded in. Each note sings to you, through the haze of time - but not through a veil of electronics.
Compared with Theta's earlier models and with other fine converters now available, the Generation VIII Series 3 offers a new level of musicality and believability.
Technical Overview
The Class A analog stage is ultra-fast and accurate. Both analog and digital signal paths are truly balanced, with fully duplicated, differential circuits. Because of Theta's innovative balanced-to-single-ended summing technology, the Generation VIII Series 3 exhibits many of the same advantages of balanced operation even when used in single-ended mode.
Ultra high quality linear transformers are used for each individual input jack. Shielding separates the power supplies from all digital and analog processes, ensuring clean power to each processing stage. Audio signals and digital clocks run high-speed balanced signals throughout the unit. Theta's exclusive "Jitter Jail" provides freedom from the types of digital distortions that most degrade high quality playback.
Connections
The Generation VIII Series 3 accommodates up to five digital input devices: Toslink, AES / EBU, Coaxial, BNC, with each input assignable to one of the Generation VIII Series 3's five pre-set Input Select buttons. There is an additional stereo pair of analog inputs, with both singled-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) connections.
An RS-232 port allows control of the Generation VIII with specialized control systems from Crestron and AMX, as well as access for future software upgrades. One or more G8S3 units can also be slaved to the Theta's Casablanca III Music and Cinema controllers for ultimate quality home theater installations.
Upgradability
In keeping with Theta Digital tradition, there is an upgrade path for all previous Gen series units, to enjoy the performance, features and aesthetics of the Generation VIII Series 3. See your authorized Theta Digital dealer or international rep for more details.
Power Requirements
117 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 50 watts maximum, with all options installed; 220 VAC, 50Hz (Export). Fuse @ 100 & 110V = 630mA, Fuse @ 220V = 3/8A.
Dimensions
17 5/8" W x 5" H x 17 3/4" D (448 x 127 x 451 mm)
Weight
29 Lbs (10.8 Kg) Stand alone, 35 Lbs (13.1 Kg) Boxed with accessories
Environment
Operating Temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
Storage Temperature: -22° to 167° F (-30° to 75° C)
Relative Humidity: 95% maximum without condensation
Remote Control
1 hand-held, battery powered control unit uses 2 AAA batteries.