33.8688 MHz clock rate CD Player....... (1 Viewer)

[RobWil]

I have a Harman Kardon HD7600II cd player from around 1995 which I can find absolutely zero information on. Per the manual, it uses a linear, pulse width modulated bit stream D/A conversion at a clock rate of 33.8688 MHz.

I have never heard of a clock rate this speed in cd players. Is this the same as sampling rate? And if so, why are all the newer DAC's using 44.1kHz , or whatever. I know the number of bits also come into play, i.e. 16 or 24 bit, and oversampling etc, although I certainly don't understand it much.

Is my player a 1 bit DAC? And why can't I find a single review on it? It's like it never existed practically and same goes for the HD7400, HD7500 etc., which all used this DAC. I seem to find info on much older equipment than this. I do know that it originally retailed for over $650 and that it sounds really freakin' good. Just wondering how it stacks up against some of the newer technology.

If anyone has any info on this it would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

 

[RobWil]

Man....I can get more info on stuff made in the 70's!
Most of what I get searching on this model is German and Spanish. This one must have been top secret or something. I expect to get a bullet in the head any second for just talking about it! :rolleyes

 

[Jagan Seshadri]

Suffice it to say that the 33.8688MHz clock is an internal property of the D/A converter, and these kinds of converters are often marketed as "1-bit" or "MASH".
Basically, they are easier to mass-produce because they don't have to rely on calibrated components to output precise voltages. Instead, they just have one voltage level that is sputtered out very quickly (33.8688 sputters per second) so that the average value is precise.
Nevermind a bullet in the head. Here's an alternative
http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?374:4
-JNS

 

[RobWil]

Nice link.....thanks!

 

[MannyE]

The weather in Madrid is very warm this time of year....

 

[RobWil]

The weather in Madrid is very warm this time of year....

See....I told you this was a top secret project! That's gotta be spy talk.....man, they just put a hit out on me...I know it! :frowning:

 

[lookyloo]

not sure about clock rate but over sampling was nothing you could hear it was how many times the computer could sample the info so higher sampling could read damaged cd's better ... I have owned a 7500 and I own a 7600ii if you use the same disc between this play and say sony's and Jvc's or pther players at the same price you'll hear a warmer sound out of HK but its not only in the tech you've described they've also altered the out put so essentially the cd's sound warmer try it ... I own several cd players ..sony recorder changer, onkyo 6 discs two hk cd changers ( even they don't sound as good as 7500 or 7600ii ) and its funny to allow my friends to hear the difference