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Lunatec V3 by Grace Designs
Lunatec V3
The Lunatec V3 by Grace Design is a portable 2-channel microphone preamplifier
and
high-definition A/D converter designed for audio professionals in the
concert taping,
music recording and location sound markets. Based on the industry standard
Lunatec V2,
the V3 represents significant enhancements that enable customers to directly
output
digital audio signals to high bit depth and high sample rate recording
systems.
The Lunatec V3 offers the following key features/benefits:
• Includes the identical microphone preamplifiers and feature set
of the industry
standard Lunatec V2.
• Ultra-low distortion, stereo, 24-bit A/D conversion included
as standard. Outputs
include S/PDIF (RCA) and two sets of AES3 (XLR). Sample rates of 44.1,
48, 88.2,
96, 176.4 and 192 kHz are supported.
• Both single and dual-wire 176.4 and 192 kHz AES/EBU modes are provided
via a
pair of XLR connectors, which enable connection to today’s high sample
rate dualwire
digital recording systems as well as provision for single-wire systems
that will
likely become the standard in the future.
• ANSRTM, our unique new dither circuit, can be applied for word-length
reduction
when sending signals to a 16 or 20-bit digital recorder.
• The converter section can be disabled to operate in analog-only
mode, which
provides system battery power conservation of up to 40%.
• Dual, 8-segment dot mode LED meters provide critical level information
at a glance.
Lunatec V3 PRELIMINARY Specifications:
A/D Converter Section:
Dynamic Range
44.1 – 192kHz, 20Hz – 20kHz BW 109dB
44.1 – 192kHz, A-weighted 111dB
THD+N
44.1 – 192kHz, -3dBFS, 20Hz – 20kHz BW -102dB
Frequency Response
Fs 44.1kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 21kHz
Fs 48kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 22kHz
Fs 88.2kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 42kHz
Fs 96kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 45kHz
Fs 176.4kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 75kHz
Fs 192kHz, +0.1/-0.4dB 20Hz – 82kHz
Crosstalk <-117dB
Microphone Amplifier Section:
EIN
@60dB gain <130dB
Frequency Response
+/- 3dB @60dB gain 6Hz – 250kHz
THD+N
+20dBu out @20dB gain 0.0011%
+20dBu out @40dB gain 0.0011%
+20dBu out @60dB gain 0.0046%
Intermodulation Distortion
@40dB gain, +25dBu out <.0025%
Noise – Referred to Input
@60dB gain, 50 Ohm source <-130dB
Phase Deviation
50Hz – 20kHz <8o
Crosstalk
Either channel -109dB
CMRR
@60dB gain, 3.5Vcm, 1kHz 80dB
@60dB gain, 3.5Vcm, 10kHz 97dB
Output CMRR 60dB
Maximum Output Level
Balanced +27dBu
Unbalanced +21dBu
Impedance
Input 1600 Ohms
Output 5k Ohms
Minimum Load Impedance 600 Ohms
Weight
2.4 lbs. (1.1kg)
Dimensions
6”L x 8.3”W x 1.6”H
Current Consumption (6-12VDC)
Phantom Power OFF, A/D OFF 600mA
Phantom Power OFF, A/D ON 750mA
Phantom Power ON (20mA), A/D ON 1000mA
Phantom Power ON (4mA), A/D ON 780mA
All features and specifications are subject to change by Grace Design
without prior notice.
All V3 controls are recessed for maximum protection against rough handling
while in
the field.
Rear panel-mounted BNC connector provides Word Clock output.
Operates on 6V DC and includes a locking DC connector for
confidence when
operating in the field.
Future expansion capabilities allow for implementation of direct-to-computer
connection such as USB 2.x, Firewire, mLan etc.
5 year, limited warranty on parts and labor
Concert tapers – the Lunatec V2 has become the industry standard
for concert
tapers who require the ultimate in sonic performance, rugged build quality
and
features. The V3 continues with this performance and adds high bit-depth
and
sample rate outputs for direct connection to today’s high-end recording
systems.
Music recording studios – While the V3 is primarily designed
as a portable
system for field recording work, it is also equally at home in recording
studio
applications. This is an especially powerful system for those who demand
the
finest in mic preamp sonics and who also require high-definition digital
outputs
for working with the current crop of high sample rate digital recording
systems.
Location sound engineers – the V3’s rugged, portable
enclosure, coupled with
it’s sonic performance and extensive feature set makes it ideal for
professional
location sound engineers who demand the very best.
V3 Questions and Answers:
Q: Does the V3 really include the same
mic preamplifiers and features as the V2?
A: The V3’s microphone preamplifiers are identical to those used
in the V2. All features
such as 48v phantom power, dual-position, multi-frequency high-pass filters
and MS
decoding matrix are retained. The only feature available on the V2 that
we omitted on
the V3 is the unbalanced RCA output jacks on the rear of the unit. Very
few
customers used these outputs and it was decided that giving these up to
make room
for the converter section was more important.
Q: I assume that the V2 will no longer be in production or available now
that the V3
has been announced, right?
A: That’s correct. All customers you talk to who want a portable
unit should be told
about the V3 instead.
Q: Some recently introduced portable mic preamp systems include a USB
port to
allow operation with computer based, digital recording systems. Why doesn’t
the V3
have this feature?
A: USB is a feature that we didn’t “forget” to include
on the V3. In the research phase of
V3 development, it became clear that a USB implementation would be, at
best, a
temporary solution. It’s important to note that while USB can be
utilized for recording
applications up to 48 kHz, its operation at 96 kHz appears to be somewhat
unstable, and it does not support rates beyond 96 kHz. In addition, interfaces/protocols
such as Firewire and mLan appear to be gaining favor in the market. What
we’ve done instead is design-in the necessary “hooks” to
allow V3 to be upgraded in the future when things settle out a bit.
Q: You’ve noted that your dither circuit is a key feature of the
V3. How can I
explain the benefits of ANSR (TM) to my customers?
A: ANSR (TM) (Analog Noise Shaped Reduction) is a unique word length reduction
system
that’s based on truly random, analog, noise shaped dither and generates
noise with a
gaussian probability distribution. The signal is then shaped with a carefully
designed
filter network that decreases noise energy in the most audible frequency
bands. It is
then summed with the audio signal at a level of ½ LSB (Least Significant
Bit) for 16
and 20 bit recording systems. The benefits to users includes; much improved
linearity
over TPD, (Triangular Probability Density) the process is less audible
than “white”
noise, and truly random noise is employed instead of pseudo random noise.
Customers, of course, will be the final judges but we believe that our
new ANSRTM
dither circuit may well become the dither standard by which others are
judged.
Q: Does repeatedly pressing the ANSR (TM) switch cycle between 16 and
20-bit
operation or is this a circuit on/off switch?
A: This switch operates the on/off state of the dither circuit. When dither
is engaged, the
LED to the left of the switch will be lit solid, and when off, the LED
will extinguish.
The V3 is shipped from the factory with 16-bit dither selected. If the
user wants to
change this to 20-bit mode, he/she will need to change the 16/20-bit jumper
inside the
unit.
Q: Can a customer purchase an “analog-only” version of the V3
and add the
converter section at a later date?
A: No. We worked hard to incorporate the high-definition converter section
(and
associated features) at a price point that made sense, even for a customer
who might
not have an immediate need for digital outputs. The costs associated with
upgrading a
“plain vanilla” V3 would have been fairly high as this would
have required the
customer to send the unit back to us, we’d install and test the converter
section card
and would likely need to replace front/rear panel components. In the end,
we felt that
a “loaded” V3 at an aggressive price point represented a much
better value for the
customer.
Q: Can the V3’s balanced, analog outputs be used simultaneously with
the digital
outputs?
A: Yes. In fact ALL outputs are “hot” at the same time, which
means you can output via
the analog outputs and BOTH the AES/EBU and S/PDIF outputs concurrently.
This is a
total of 4 simultaneous outputs!
Q: The V2 used a 4-pin XLR connector to accommodate external power systems.
Now that V3 has changed to a locking “barrel style” connector
for power, how can
my customers use their existing battery units?
A: For customers who would like to use an existing battery system that
uses a 4-pin XLR
power connector, we will offer an optional cable assembly that will convert
the XLR
to the V3 barrel connector.
Q: Will there be an AC adapter available for the V3 as was the case with
the V2?
A: Yes. This can be ordered directly from us and will be noted on the
revised Dealer
Price sheets that you should have received along with this announcement.
Note: At this time, there is no intent
to support both 24-bit and 16-bit output simultaneously.
Units with serial # V3001 through V3035 were calibrated while our calibration fixture was set for 5.9V instead of 5.7V. It seems that the auto shut off calibration was not affected. This will result in a premature low battery indication but will not affect the actual battery run time. For customers that are handy with a Volt meter Grace Design has posted a calibration procedure for the V3 on their web site at:
http://www.gracedesign.com/support/v3_voltage_calibration.pdf
This procedure is written for use with
a variable DC power supply but it is possible to perform the calibration
with a SLA that has been discharged to 5.75V Grace Design will be happy
to recalibrate any customer units and will guarantee a one day turn.
Sorry for the trouble!
For more information on the Lunatec V3…
Check out the Lunatec V3 section on www.gracedesign.com
or contact Sonic Sense via email.
Or, don't hesitate to give us a call at (303) 753-0201 or Toll-Free at
(877) 324-4463