Helix DSP PRO MK3 - 10-channel signal processor

HELIX DSP PRO MK3

The next evolution of the DSP PRO

Proven looks with the (R)Evolution inside. The further development of the DSP PRO features the classic, streamlined HELIX design, but is equipped with the latest technology: unparalleled high-resolution sound quality thanks to twice the processing power of its predecessor, an ACO platform for expanded functionality, and VCP (Virtual Channel Processing) for simplified configuration of highly complex sound systems. Added to this are the revised high-level inputs with 3-stage input sensitivity adjustment and an extended voltage range up to 32 volts, as well as the particularly compact, robust Smart Control Port. One thing is clear: By utilizing all of these state-of-the-art technologies, the DSP PRO MK3 is among the "cream of the crop" of signal processors for the highest sound demands.

State-of-the-art technology and TwinDSP power for the ultimate high-resolution sound experience

The DSP PRO MK3 is equipped with two of Analog Devices' most powerful 64-bit audio signal processors currently available. The incredible processing power of 2.4 billion MAC operations per second, combined with the high sampling rate of 96 kHz (resulting in an audio bandwidth of over 40 kHz) and AKM Velvet Sound AD/DA signal converters, ensures superior sound in high-resolution quality.

ACO – Advanced 32-bit CoProcessor Platform

The DSP PRO MK3 is now also equipped with the proprietary 32-bit ACO platform. This not only handles all control tasks ultra-fast, but above all offers a whole range of audio functions: Fantastic sound effects such as Augmented Bass Processing and RealCenter are implemented, as is a channel-separated input EQ with an Input Signal Analyzer (ISA) for easy analysis and compensation of the input signals from OE radios that already include a factory sound setup.

Everything you need for optimal connection

With its numerous inputs and outputs (8 x high-level, 8 x RCA, 1 x optical, 1 x coaxial, 1 x HEC slot & 10 x line output), the DSP PRO MK3 offers everything you need for easy adaptation to existing factory radios or multi-channel OE sound systems. And thanks to the extended voltage range, seamless adaptation to virtually any conceivable analog signal source is possible, even with powerful OE amplifiers.

DSP PC-Tool 5 feat. TuneEQ – Powerful Features for the Ultimate Sound Experience

Of course, the HELIX DSP PRO MK3 is configurable using our new, professional, yet exceptionally intuitive DSP PC-Tool 5. The familiar, numerous setting options leave nothing to be desired and guarantee extremely precise sound adjustment, even with complex system configurations. And thanks to the new, proprietary TuneEQ function for automated frequency response correction, you'll also save a lot of time when tuning your sound.

Features

• TwinDSP Power – two extremely powerful "fixed-point" audio DSPs with 64-bit resolution and 2.4 billion MAC operations per second
• State-of-the-art 32-bit AD and DA signal converters from AKM
• High-resolution audio bandwidth up to over 40 kHz for unsurpassed sound quality
• ACO – Advanced 32-bit CoProcessor platform for expanded functionality
  • ISA (Input Signal Analyzer) and InputEQ for easy analysis and compensation of input signals
  • Proprietary TuneEQ function for automated adjustment of the output equalizers
  • SFX sound effects – Augmented Bass Processing, RealCenter & Co.
• VCP (Virtual Channel Processing) enables even more flexible configuration of highly complex sound systems
• HEC slot for system expansions such as Bluetooth® HD audio streaming, high-resolution audio streaming via USB, etc.
• Intelligent 8-channel high-level input with ADEP.3 circuitry
• Start-stop capability down to 6V supply voltage
• Ground lift switch to prevent ground loops
• 3-stage input sensitivity adjustment for each channel pair (high-level up to max. 32V, RCA up to max. 4V)
• Compact, future-proof SCP (Smart Control Port) for connecting remote controls and other accessories
• Time lag correction with up to 20 ms delay per channel, plus input delay correction for accurate summing of the inputs.
• Freely definable signal routing with separate matrices for line, SPDIF, and HEC/AUX.
• Inputs: 8 x RCA, 8 x High-Level, 1 x Optical SPDIF, and 1 x Coaxial SPDIF.
• Outputs: 10 x RCA with a maximum output voltage of 8 volts.
• Simple configuration via the intuitive DSP PC-Tool 5 software.

Special Features:

TwinDSP Power

The DSP PRO MK3 houses two of Analog Devices' most powerful 64-bit audio DSPs, with an extreme total processing power of 2.4 billion MAC operations per second.

The TwinDSP Power concept makes the 10 separately processable channels and the multitude of new sound features possible, combined with the high sampling rate of 96 kHz (resulting in an audio bandwidth of over 40 kHz).

ACO – Advanced 32-Bit CoProcessor

The DSP PRO MK3 uses a particularly powerful 32-bit coprocessor of the latest generation. This not only handles all control tasks ultra-fast, but also allows lightning-fast switching between up to ten possible sound setups.

But ACO offers much more – in addition to a channel-separated input EQ with an Input Signal Analyzer (ISA) for easy analysis and compensation of input signals from OE radios and fantastic sound effects such as Augmented Bass Processing or RealCenter, there is now the revolutionary TuneEQ function for automated adjustment of the output equalizers.

Another significant advantage is the CoProcessor's integrated, native bootloader. This enables software upgrades of all DSP components, for example, to adapt the microcontroller-controlled ADEP.3 circuit to future changes in factory radio diagnostic systems or to expand the device with additional interfaces.

Intelligent High-Level Input ADEP.3

Modern, factory-installed car radios are becoming increasingly intelligent when it comes to diagnosing the connected speakers. The latest generation, in particular, is equipped with additional monitoring functions, so that error messages or even malfunctions can occur when an additional signal processor is connected. The new ADEP.3 (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection Generation 3) circuit prevents these problems without unnecessarily straining the radio's speaker outputs at high levels.

Start-Stop Capability

The power supply in the HELIX DSP PRO MK3 maintains the internal voltage supply even during brief drops of as little as 6 volts. This ensures that the signal processor remains fully functional even when the engine is started.

Power Save Mode

Power Save Mode is enabled in the basic settings of the DSP PC-Tool software. It allows the power consumption of the amplifiers connected to the signal processor to be drastically reduced if no input signal is present for more than 60 seconds. It should be noted that many vehicles today are equipped with "CAN" or similar internal bus systems that leave the radio switched on "invisibly" for up to 45 minutes, even if the user has left and locked the vehicle. As soon as "Power Save Mode" is activated, the remote output and thus the connected amplifiers are switched off. The HELIX DSPPRO MK3 reactivates the remote output within one second as soon as a music signal is present at one of its inputs. It is also possible to vary the shutdown delay or completely deactivate "Power Save Mode" using the DSP PC Tool software.

Automatic Digital Signal Detection

Switching between the analog and one of the two digital inputs is signal-controlled. As soon as an audio signal is detected at the optical or coaxial input, the signal processor switches to that input. This function can be deactivated in the DSP PC-Tool software, or manual control can be selected using an optional remote control.

Note: The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Audiotec Fischer GmbH is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

DSP Features

TuneEQ

TuneEQ is an extremely flexible and particularly easy-to-use function for automated frequency response correction. A single measurement per audio channel or channel pair with a suitable measurement microphone (such as our MTK1) is sufficient for TuneEQ to independently and precisely adjust the equalizers to the desired reference curve. TuneEQ utilizes the full range of functions of the parametric equalizer, including the center frequency, Q factor, and gain. And because the highly complex computational operations required for this run in the background, you also save a lot of time when tuning your sound with TuneEQ.

RealCenter

The "RealCenter" function is a proprietary algorithm from Audiotec Fischer that emphasizes the monaural information of the left and right front channels to create a unique center signal. In contrast to conventional methods, which simply sum the channels, this additionally dynamically controls the center signal using the stereophonic information content of the left and right channels. This means that the center channel will not reproduce any signal if only the left or right channel is delivering an audio signal. With conventional algorithms, the center channel would only be 6 dB quieter in this case. Audiotec Fischer's "RealCenter" thus enables a unique, wide-ranging soundstage – and it's equally optimal for the driver and front passenger! The disadvantages of a conventional center channel, such as an intrusive, narrow spatial sound, are finally a thing of the past.

Augmented Bass Processing

Audiotec Fischer's proprietary "Augmented Bass Processing" consists of two revolutionary sound features: "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" and "SubXpander." These features were specifically developed to dramatically improve the bass reproduction of subwoofers.

"Dynamic Bass Enhancement" ingeniously combines maximum low-bass resonance and high maximum sound pressure – regardless of the music genre or the sound settings on the radio. Depending on the input signal, "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" amplifies the lower frequency range and varies the cutoff frequency of the subsonic filter. The result is a significantly more powerful, deeper bass reproduction at low and medium volumes, without the risk of mechanically or electrically overloading the subwoofer at high volumes. It's simply fascinating what kind of bass performance is suddenly possible.

If you want the bass range to be a little deeper and "blacker," you can also activate the "SubXpander." Here, subharmonic tones are added to the fundamental tones in the frequency range between 50 and 100 Hz.

Technical Specifications

• Inputs
  • 8 x RCA
  • 8 x Line-Level Speaker Input
  • 1 x Optical SPDIF format (12-96 kHz)
  • 1 x Coaxial SPDIF format (12-192 kHz)
  • 1 x Remote In
• Input Sensitivity
  • RCA 2 / 3 / 4 Volts
  • Line-Level 4 / 7 / 11 Volts or 12 / 22 / 32 volts

     

• Outputs
  • 10 x RCA
  • 1 x Remote Out
• Output voltage 8 volts
• Frequency range 10 Hz - 44,000 Hz
• DSP resolution 64 bit
• DSP computing power 295 MHz (1.2 billion MAC operations/second)
• Sampling rate 96 kHz
• DSP type: 2 x audio signal processor
• Signal converter
  • A/D: AKM Velvet Sound 32 Bit 
  • D/A: AKM Velvet Sound 32 Bit

     

• Signal-to-noise ratio digital input 116 dB (A-weighted)
• Signal-to-noise ratio analog input 111 dB (A-weighted)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N) digital input <0.0005%
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N) analog input <0.001%
• Intermodulation distortion digital input <0.002%
• Intermodulation distortion analog input <0.004%
• Crosstalk > 90 dB
• Operating voltage 9.6 - 18 volts (max. 5 seconds down to 6 volts)
• Current consumption 650 mA
• Max. Remote output current 500 mA
• Additional features
  •  HEC Slot, Ground Switch, Smart Control Port, 32 Bit CoProcessor, ADEP.3 Circuit, Auto Remote Switch

     

• Dimensions (H x W x D) 40 x 177 x 150 mm

Scope of delivery

• 1 x signal processor HELIX DSP PRO MK3
• 1 x Control Input-to-SCP Adapter
  
• 1 x USB Data cable
• 1 x Mounting hardware
• 1 x User manual