The 003 is, of course, the successor to the 002. We frequently get asked if the 003 is better than the 002, and while it does offer some improvements, we feel it's also inferior in certain respects. According to an email we received from Digidesign's engineering department, Digi has utilized the HD system's internal clock in the 003, and improved the power supply as well. The 003 also appears to be compliant with the European Union's new lead-free directives for electronic equipment, whereas the 002 is not. Conversion is handled by Cirrus Logic, which is a change from the AKM-based conversion found in the 002. The A/D uses the CS5361, a 115dB D/R A/D which is pin-compatible with Cirrus Logic's flagship CS5381 A/D. We consider this an improvement over the 002 because it offers higher dynamic range than the 002's A/D. The D/A is handled by the CS4392, which we felt was inferior to the 002's D/A. The 003's analog stage headroom is increased over the 002 by 15dB due largely to higher analog stage power supply voltage. For the 003's analog section, Digi uses Texas Instruments NE5532, which is a change from the analog stages found in the 002.
Analog Stages +
Mic Pres
Like its older brother, there are a world of improvements to be had
within the analog stages. We wanted to improve bandwidth and transient
response in the 003, so we utilized a quieter, faster opamp for the mic
preamps, line inputs, and line outputs. The result is a smoother, more
detailed audio response with a much more open top end.
The Clock
While experimenting with internal clock designs, we found that we liked
the quality of the audio better when the master clock frequency was
increased. Due to the superior nature of third overtone XO crystal
oscillators (they have inherently less jitter than fundamental XO
oscillators because they have higher 'Q'), we decided to utilize the
same clock that we use in the 002. We increase the original master
clock frequencies, and then divide them down as necessary. We started
with a pair of ultra-low jitter (1 picosecond delta sigma average) XO
oscillators, one for 44.1 kHz and its multiples, and one for 48 kHz and
its multiples. We divide these two frequencies using a proprietary
method that keeps accumulated jitter to a bare minimum: under 10
picoseconds. Would you ever use the word "punch" when describing the
sound of your 003? With our internal clock, you most certainly will.
Taking the 003 even further
In late 2006, we began experimenting with linear power supplies in the
002. We've never been big fans of switch mode supplies in audio, mostly
because of the way they seem to strip the audio of any real body or
impact. By powering the analog and digital stages separately, we felt
we could improve overall sonic character as well as completely
eliminating the power supply as a source of crosstalk between analog
and digital. By using a low-emission toroid with a bigger power supply
rail, we are increasing headroom by 12dB over the stock design, and as
a result, improving sonic impact.
We also toyed with different converter configurations. Converters are very sensitive to their power sources, and proper decoupling is very crucial. We began to experiment with some theories concerning resonant frequencies within power supplies and their overall impact on conversion. After almost six months of testing, we came up with a proprietary method for reducing the noise and decoupling the 002's converters. We feel the end result represents a great breakthrough. We're also able to offer these same modifications for the Digidesign 003.
Digi 003R and Digi003 Console 'HD' package: $575 for clock, analog, and
converter decoupling
Digi 003R 'Tweak Head package: $795,
named after the audio import setting in Pro Tools, this package offers
clock, analog, converter decoupling, and a separate linear power supply
for the analog stages that increases headroom by 12dB!
These options give your 003 the ability to compete
with converters that are much, much more expensive-once we're done with
it, it's simply not even the same unit. Sorry, due to internal space limitations, we're
unable to offer the Tweak Head package on 003 Consoles.
Contact us
to schedule an appointment.
Here is how it works:
We schedule an appointment for the modification and then send you an
initial invoice for 50% down payment that is due within three days.
Payment can be made by credit card or through Paypal.
When payment is received we confirm your scheduled appointment.
You ship the unit to us so that it arrives two days before the
scheduled modification.
When the modification is finished we notify you and you then pay the
remainder of the cost.
We ship you the modified unit.
Please note that there is a cancellation fee of 30% of the scheduling
deposit.
If you wish to reschedule, we require two-weeks notice, and there is a
$25 rescheduling fee.
There is a $10 a day charge for units that remain on our shop for more
than seven days.
We wish we did not have to require these fees, but unfortunately they
are necessary in order for us to keep our prices low and to meet our
scheduled commitments.
