Bel Canto e.One Stream Network Bridge/DAC Lab Report

Lab Report

Bel Canto is making excellent use of ConversDigital's CDMCM-2121 DLNA 'Complete Audiophile Receiver Module' here, mounting this comprehensive network audio solution on top of its own DAC board. While Bel Canto's free Seek app runs on Apple's iOS only, ConversDigital offers its own 'mconnect Control' App, available for both iOS and Android platforms. For the purposes of testing, I employed the Seek app on an iPhone which quickly provided access to test files over both network and via a memory stick in the USB-A port. In both instances, and over all sample rates from 44.1kHz-192kHz, jitter was remarkably low at <10psec, although some uncorrelated (noise-like) jitter is evident from the broadening of the J-test signal [see Graph 2, below]. The partnering PCM5102A DAC is employed here using its integrated line-driver output and while the chip is described by TI as a '112dB Audio Stereo DAC', in this instance the practical A-wtd S/N ratio was a ~17-bit 101.5dB.

619belcanto.lab1

Distortion versus 48kHz/24-bit digital signal level over a 120dB dynamic range (via Ethernet and USB-A at 1kHz, black; 20kHz, blue)

619belcanto.lab2

High resolution jitter spectra using 24-bit data (48kHz, black; 96kHz, red; 192kHz, cyan)

Subjectively, and with useful musical detail rarely captured at this level, a little extra white noise is often no bad thing for digital audio. Otherwise, the 2.08V maximum output meets TI's specification but the 470ohm source impedance is still sightly high. Distortion is held to a steady 0.002-0.003% over the top 30dB of the Stream's dynamic range through bass and midrange frequencies [see Graph 1, above], increasing only over the top 10dB of its range at very high frequencies (0.03%/20kHz/0dBFs). The linear phase digital filter offers a 63dB stopband rejection (re. 20kHz at 48kFs) and an extended response reaching out to –0.13dB/20kHz with CD/48kHz files and to –2.8dB/45kHz, and –4.4dB/90kHz, with 96kHz/192kHz media, respectively. PM

Maximum output level / Impedance 2.08Vrms / 465-476ohm
A-wtd S/N ratio (Ethernet / USB-A) 101.5dB / 101.5dB
Distortion (1kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.0025% / 0.0017%
Distortion & Noise (20kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.028% / 0.0079%
Freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/45kHz/90kHz) +0.0 to –0.1dB/–2.8dB/–4.4dB
Digital jitter (48kHz/96kHz/192kHz) <10psec / <10psec / <10psec
Resolution @ –100dB/–110dB ±0.4dB / ±1.5dB
Power consumption 6W
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 216x88x305mm / 7kg
Price £1500
COMPANY INFO
Bel Canto Design Ltd
Minneapolis, USA
Supplied by: Padood Ltd, Cambridge, UK
01223 653199
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