Technics SE-R1 Stereo Power Amplifier

Description

Stereo Power Amplifier SE-R1
Sets a new high performance standard for digital amplifiers
by employing

state-of-the-art components and innovative technologies.

JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping
Optimization)
Jitter is a major cause of distortion in digital systems,
and is caused by mis-timing in the master clocks used in digital-to-analog
conversion. To eliminate the degradation of sound caused by jitter, Technics
has developed an original jitter reduction circuit, comprising a clock
generator in the noise-shaping system to reduce jitter in the low-frequency
range and a high-precision sample rate converter for suppressing jitter in the
high-frequency range. Thus it reduces jitter in an ideal way over the entire
frequency range.

This works with a newly-developed and original high-precision PWM (Pulse Width
Modulation) conversion circuit, optimizing the noise-shaping speed, the degree
and requantization number, and the PWM gradation, in order to convert high-resolution
signals to PWM without causing any damage to the dynamic range. These new
technologies enable new Technics digital amplifier designs to reproduce the
natural and delicate nuances of music.

GaN-FET Driver (High-speed and Low-impedance Power
Devices)
In the speaker-driving section of the amplifier, Technics
has employed a high-speed GaN (gallium nitride) FET driver device with
super-low resistance. This enables the construction of a high-power amp using a
single push-pull configuration, allowing the length of the large current
carrying signal path to be shortened, and resulting in outstanding linearity
regardless of the sound level.

LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)
The impedance of a speaker is not constant: it varies
according to frequency, thus altering the loading on an amplifier and therefore
potentially the sound. Technics is able to measure an amplifier’s frequency
amplitude-phase characteristics with speakers connected, and has developed a
speaker impedance adaptive optimization algorithm using digital signal
processing to achieve ideal impulse response. Correction processing based on
the new algorithm achieves a flat frequency response for both amplitude and
phase, not possible in conventional amps, and delivering a sound with rich
spatial expression.

Technics Digital Link (Original Digital Signal
Transmission)
Some systems use a digital link between source component and
pre-amplifier, keeping the digital signal pure as long as possible: Technics
Digital Link goes further. It has eliminated the volume control function from
the pre-amplifier, and instead transmits the volume control information,
together with the audio signal, directly to the power amplifier in digital
form. The power amp’s jitter reduction circuit reduces any effect of jitter in
signal transmission, then performs the volume control immediately before the
PWM converter. This new sound transmission interface, Technics Digital Link,
supports audio signals and also eradicates inter-channel effects by
transmitting the left and right channel signals separately. Technics Digital
Link has achieved an ideal amplifier configuration, minimizing any degradation
between the pre-amplifier and the power amp, and resulting in superb stereo
separation and reproduction of even the most subtle signals. The result is a
more detailed and dynamic sound.

High-speed Silent Linear Power Supply
The accurate reproduction of everything from dynamic and
powerful sounds to the low-level signals expressing delicate nuances requires a
special power supply in an amplifier. It needs to be both powerful and
low-noise, as well as capable of responding instantly to a continuously
changing audio signal without any voltage fluctuation. The power supply circuit
of an ordinary amp consists of a large-capacity power transformer and a
rectifier circuit: after examining ways to achieve ideal voltage and current
waveforms, Technics decided to use a choke-input rectification, plus a discrete
stabilized power supply circuit. These technologies incorporated in the power
supply circuit enable the amp to drive the speakers powerfully under any
conditions.

Battery Driven Clock Generator
The best power supply for delicate circuitry such as the
clock generator in the new amplifiers is one entirely isolated from any noise
or fluctuations in the mains supply. Technics has extensive experience in
circuits using battery isolation, having used them to create ultra-low-noise
pre-amplifier stages in past analog amplifiers.

Construction

Dual Mono Construction
The main amplifier layout separates the left and right
channel signal paths completely, all the way back to the secondary winding on
the power transformer, to prevent mutual interference and also achieve an ideal
weight balance. This design gives optimal stereo separation, and also allows
the two channels to be laid out in ‘mirror image’, giving equal signal-path
lengths for each channel.

Signal Path Minimization
The length of the signal path is kept as short as possible
to improve the signal to noise ratio, reduce potential sources of distortion
and interference, and give the most direct communication of the music.

High Rigidity Metal Double Chassis
To support heavy parts and components and lower the center
of gravity for improved stability, the inner chassis of the SE-R1 is made of
3-mm-thick plate, but the amplifier uses a huge, and very heavy, mains
transformer: to support this better and reduce vibration, columns of die-cast
aluminium are arranged at appropriate intervals between the bottom inner
chassis and outer chassis. The external casing is made of a 7-mm-thick aluminium
plate to resist the effect of electromagnetic noise.

High-quality Parts
Large, newly designed speaker terminals enable the connection
of thick cables, and even the screws are high precision to ensure they remain
tight, giving a firm and reliable cable connection. The insulators are cast
iron for high rigidity and an excellent damping effect: this reduces both
susceptibility to vibration, and the transmission of any vibration to external
devices.

Accurate Digital Technology

JENO Engine
(Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)
GaN-FET Driver
LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration)
Technics Digital Link
High-speed Silent Linear Power Supply
Battery Driven Clock Generator
Dual Mono Construction
High Rigidity Metal Double Chassis

Technics Definitive Design

Aluminium plain miter joint
White LED illuminated large level meter
Symmetric structure

Output Power

150 W + 150 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5%, 8 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)
300 W + 300 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 0.5%, 4 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

Input Sensitivity / Input Impedance

UNBALANCED 1.2 V / 47 kΩ, BALANCED 1.2 V / 47 kΩ

Frequency Response

1 Hz – 90 kHz (-3 dB, 8 Ω)

THD+N

0.05% (1 kHz, 75 W, 8 Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

Load Impedance

A or B, Bi-wiring: 4-16 Ω, A + B: 8-16 Ω

Analog Input Terminal

UNBALANCED x 1, BALANCED x 1

Digital Input Terminal

Technics Digital Link x 1

Power Supply

AC120 V, 60 Hz

Power consumption

250 W

Dimensions (W x H x D)

480 x 241 x 567 mm
18-7/8 x 9-15/32 x 22-11/32 inch

Weight

Approx. 54 kg
Approx.119 lbs

Accessories

AC cords, Owner’s manual