Products: A.B.C.

When approaching digital audio, approach it as you would a connoisseur of fine wine. At Stahl~Tek, we approach the A.B.C. in a similar way: as a finely grown and cared-for vintage. Our expectations are high, as yours should be. The A.B.C. streams bit perfect audio data up to 24-bit @ 192kHz, providing a signal clear, and true to its source. The A.B.C. will output true, 24-bit audio files and supports all these sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz.

Digital processes may represent a sound exactly. Just as a professional taster might select the exact vintage after careful inspection, so the computer will read, and re-read a disc as many times as it needs to, to ensure it has the “exact” sound. This process is more accurate than a CD player may achieve: the player will read through only once. It does not have the benefit, as the taster does, to go back and resample.

The A.B.C. is finely designed to work within your digital system. Your digital system will function together as parts of an instrument. Your A.B.C. is built to fit effortlessly into your system, becoming a “bridge” between your computer and your DAC.

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Features

• Streams bit perfect audio data up to 24-bit @ 192kHz
• USB 2.0 High Speed 480 Mb/s Computer Interface
• Supported Sampling Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
• Supports true 24-bit audio files
• Full galvanic isolation of all outputs
• USB audio synchronization endpoint operates in the asynchronous mode
• Internal master clock circuitry lowers the jitter operation of the USB endpoint and serves as a master clock signal through the I2S output port to a DAC
• I2S Stahl~Tek HDMI input provides an addition signal input for the optional Stahl~Tek Opus/Vekian CD Transport, thus allowing the ABC Bridge to serve as a convenient digital source selection to any Stahl~Tek DAC (PS Audio also supports this unique, high-end interface)
• USB 2.0 audio is built into Apples OS X, Version 10.6.3 and Windows XP and Windows 7 support is via supplied, custom drivers
• Compatible with WDM/Direct X and ASIO 2.1
• Works with your preferred media player, such as: J-Rivers Media Center 16 and 17, Foobar 2000, MediaMonkey, among others

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Technical Specifications

Power Supply	5.0V DC
Digital Inputs	I2S Stahl~Tek HDMI (also works with PS Audio)
	Asynchronous USB 2.0 (480 Mb/s, Backwards compatible to 1.0)
Sampling Input/Output Frequencies	44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Analog Outputs	BNC RCA AES/BU I2S
Dimensions	Size: 17" x 7.25" x 2.75" Weight: 4 lbs.

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FAQ

My DAC shows the same output no matter the sample rate (for example, 44.1kHz is displayed as 192kHz).

Your software may be upgrading (or downgrading) your source. For example, Windows Media Player will downgrade any source over 96 kHz. Another program, such as JRiver, may be set to upgrade a source that is below a certain sample rate. Software does through use of DSP, or Digital Signal Processing. You will need to refer to your software’s documentation.

How can I tell what my output frequency is in Windows?

The Stahl~Tek custom A.B.C. driver comes with tools to measure your output frequency. To use these tools, do the following:

1. Click on the small button to the left of the clock.	3. Select Device. Under Device is “Clock Source.” Your current output frequency is listed here.
2. Click on the red “T.”

When connecting to my Mac via USB, once I connect my DAC or another audio device, the Stahl~Tek A.B.C. dissapears or fails to appear.

This is an issue resulting from Mac’s USB specifications. To resovle the issue, plug the A.B.C. into a different port on your Mac.

For more information, visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049.

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