Whether you want to view it as a high-end preamplifier with a built in magnificent DAC or a Converter with 4 extra analog inputs is up to you. It starts with 4 digital inputs spanning the AES/EBU, SPDIF, Toslink and ST formats. February 2002 brought us a new 24 bit 96KHz digital to analog converter board designed by Fred Forssell. We merged this new DAC with an improved tube stage and added two analog balanced AND two unbalanced inputs. Outboard power supply too. Three sets of outputs and a processor loop are also all switchable from the front panel AND (big news...) REMOTE CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!! MANLEY's first piece with remote control is a total "over-killer" The *entire* faceplate can also be operated by the remote, especially and finally including the volume control.

The WAVE by MANLEY is a unique product combining a high end Digital to Analog Converter with an audiophile vacuum tube preamp and remote control. It is one of the very few products equally at home in a professional Mastering facility for producing CDs as it is in a superb home listening system matched with great amps and speakers. The combination of features and functions came about from analyzing existing systems and finding them functional but lacking in elegance in signal flow, operational convenience and synergy. We set out to build something we wanted in our own living rooms, something that could be upgraded as new standards evolved and something that could meet the needs of mixed balanced, unbalanced and digital connections.

The WAVE accepts 4 digital inputs and 4 analog inputs as standard. The digital inputs accommodate most of the current interconnect standards. The Analog inputs allow both balanced and unbalanced interconnects. Normally it ships with 2 balanced and 2 unbalanced inputs but the factory can custom configure a unit for special requirements (such as 4 balanced inputs) In recognition of real life needs, extra input/output facilities are standard. For those who record, or have need of external processing we include an Insert loop (the term borrowed from pro audio) similar to a Tape Loop or processing loop. There is also provision for more than one set of amplifiers/speakers with 3 outputs (2 can be switched, 1 is always on). We packaged all this in a visually attractive box, gave it a external power supply and a full function remote control and we didn't stop there. The tube analog section is a new design and was developed to out-perform our previous benchmark both audibly and in specifications.

Features And Specifications:

FEATURES:
24 Bit 96KHz Digital to Analog Converter Board
Totally DUAL MONO design
Vacuum tube output stage (2 x 12AX7, 2 x 7044)
BALANCED and UNBALANCED outputs x 3
BALANCED and UNBALANCED analog inputs x 4
Motorized ALPS quad-attenuator volume control
4 x switchable digital input AES, SPDIF, ST, Toslink
1 x SPDIF digital output pass-through
4 x switchable ANALOG inputs balanced & unbalanced
Tape/Processor Loop
Separate PSU
Remote Control
Dimensions: 19" W x 5.25" H x 13" D
Unit weight WAVE = 23 lbs.; PSU = 15 lbs.
Shipping weight: 49 lbs.

DIGITAL SECTION
Burr-Brown PCM1704 D-A converters operating at 96 KHz at all times
All inputs below 96 KHz are upsampled to 96 KHz before conversion
The upsampled output is clocked out via a Low Phase Noise/Low Jitter
precision crystal oscillator to eliminate any interface jitter or timing
problems with the incoming datastream
Multiple power supplies are used, with additional regulation and
filtering located at all critical components
Differential Passive LC filtering is used on the voltage output of the
DAC PCB
High Speed JFET Current to Voltage Conversion with differential output is
used to drive the Passive LC Filter
It will wash your car, clean your windows, make coffee and sound
good all at the same time...

ANALOG SECTION
ALL-TUBE BALANCED LINE AMPLIFIER (2 x 12AX7, 2 x 7044)
BALANCED I/O UNBALANCED I/O
MAXIMUM GAIN 12 dB
MAXIMUM OUTPUT +30 dBu, 25 V rms (70V P-P) (+31dbu @ 1.5% THD)
+8.25 dBu digital full scale (2.0 V Rms)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- .5 dB
8 Hz to 45 kHz +/- 3 dB
THD+N .015% 20/20k bandwidth
NOISE FLOOR -88 db (20 Hz - 20 kHz) (-90 A-Weight)
S/N 120 dB analog (96 db digital)
L/R Volume Control Matching .2 dB (from -50 to max)

INPUT / OUTPUT:
4 x DIGITAL INPUTS: AES/EBU, S/PDIF, TOSLINK, ST (AT&T GLASS)
(Comes standard with one of each type input. These can be changed on special order upon request.)
1 x DIGITAL OUTPUTS: S/PDIF follows AES or SPDIF digital input selection
4 x Stereo ANALOG INPUTS: (standard: 2 x stereo unbalanced RCA,2 x stereo balanced XLR)
INSERT SEND and RETURN (Tape processor loop) Available balanced XLR or Unbalanced RCA
With analog inputs UNITY GAIN (direct connected via relays)
3 x Stereo ANALOG OUTPUTS: (standard: 2 x stereo unbalanced RCA, 1 x balanced XLR)
(Output 1 is always on. You can toggle between outputs 2 and 3 or switch both on at the same time with jumper setting)
Reference level to digital full scale: With digital -14 (CD consumer setting); With digital -20 (Pro Studio Reference Setting)

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
MOTORIZED ATTENUATOR WITH FULL REMOTE CONTROL
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY
DIGITAL PHASE / POLARITY SWITCH,
INSERT FOR TAPE MONITOR, PROCESSOR LOOP, ETC.
MANUAL MUTE, WARM-UP MUTE & STANDBY MODES.
"Manley Blue" anodized 3/8" thick by 19" FRONT PANEL, 18 BLUE LEDS
UPGRADEABLE DIGITAL BOARD