Re: Developing replacement for AT

[email protected] wrote:

> Digital outs (optical is a must, coax would be a nice plus)

Absolutely. I have one of my ATs plugged into an Arcam Black Box 50, the
other into a Yamaha DSP-AX620. We're planning on putting both types of
output on to keep the audiophiles happy... co-ax sounds slightly better
(I can understand why, the conversion to optical and back to electrical
introduces jitter). I've actually tested this from a DVD player with
both optical and co-ax outputs, and the co-ax does indeed sound a little
better. Not much in it though, more important would be the practicality
of having two digital outputs.

> RJ-45 Net connector

That goes without saying, 100Mbit full-duplex.

> Same audio style case dimensions (and druthers on the color is black)

Again, that's part of the design spec.

> VFD type of display (I think that is the name)

Yeah, the cold cathode fluorescent type as featured on most consumer
electronics... that's the ultimate aim as it does look better.
Prototypes will probably have an LCD display, but we're aiming to
replace that with VFD in the finished product.

> Please break the 32K song limit.

That's down to RAM limitations on the AT I believe. We'll have to see
how much RAM is left to play with, and whether there's an option to add
more. For most people the limit isn't a problem, so as long as there's a
RAM upgrade option for those who do then all's well.

> Ability to use an external TOC generator.

Of course - without using a TOC file my AT takes about 10 minutes to
scan for tracks, with a TOC file it loads in under 30 seconds. Enough said.

--
  Glenn Richards                                     Tel: (01453) 845735
  Squirrel Solutions                 http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/

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