Weiss SFC2 - Dual Sampling Frequency Converter, 44.1, 48, 88.1, 96kHz

Weiss SFC2 - Dual Sampling Frequency Converter, 44.1, 48, 88.1, 96kHz

The Weiss SFC2 is a versatile sampling frequency converter with two completely independent stereo converters in a single 19 inch (1HU) unit. A SFC basically consists of a high order, linear phase, digital low pass filter. With the proper design of that low pass filter the quality of the SFC process can be made "arbitrarily" good – independent of the conversion ratio.

Standard sampling frequency converter chips continuously measure the input frequency and then generate the output frequency and the filter specifications accordingly. This results in coefficient “jitter” because the input signal sampling frequency jitter modulates the cutoff frequency of the digital filter. The SFC2 uses a fixed-ratio scheme where the output is directly derived from the input sampling frequency – therefore no coefficient "jitter", no filter modulation, more transparency.

The main application of the SFC2 is integrating playback or outboard equipment into an environment that either runs at double- or standard-sampling frequency. To allow this equipment to be positioned anywhere in the processing chain, the SFC2 features two completely independent two-channel sampling frequency converters to simultaneously down- and up-sample a signal. Alternatively, it can also be used to convert the sampling frequency and reduce the word-length of any two stereo audio signals at the same time.

Weiss SFC2 Features

The two sections of the SFC2 have the same feature set. They sport AES/EBU inputs and outputs on XLR connectors and work at the four standard sampling frequencies of 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. The word-length at the output can be set to 24, 20 or 16 Bits. For proper word-length reduction, dithering must be switched on. Dithering in the SFC2 uses a second order noise-shaping process. The dither noise can be set to be automatically muted in music pauses.

Specifications

Power

• Mains voltage: 115 V or 230 V with voltage selector
• Fuse rating: 500 mA slow blow
• Power consumption: 40 VA max

Size

• Depth: 30 cm
• Width: 43,3 cm (19")
• Height: 4,4 cm (1HU)

AES/EBU Input

• Sampling frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
• Maximum input word-length: 24 Bits
• Channel Status Data: Input accepts professional or consumer format
• Connector: XLR female, 110 Ω

AES/EBU Output

• Sampling frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
• Output word-length: 16 Bits, 20 Bits, 24 Bits
• Connector: XLR male, 110 Ω

Dither

• Second order noise shaping

Transparency

• The SFC2 is Bit-transparent with a conversion ratio of 1:1