Weiss MAN301 Network Music Player with CD Ripper

The latest additions are:

• A new D/A circuitry with a discrete output stage and stellar performance.

A complete MAN301 system consists of:

 

• The MAN301 Base Station.
• An external NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, typically a hard disk or an array of harddisks. This allows for virtually unlimited storage space for music files.
• An iPad device with the Weiss MAN app for remote control of the Base Station.
• A means of accessing the Internet by the Base Station for fetching CD cover art, CD metadata or for streaming music.

Mechanics
The MAN301 uses a stainless steel chassis with a solid 10 mm aluminium front plate.

 

Power Supply
Two separate power supplies are employed, one for the computer section and another one for the digital and analog audio sections. The audio section power supply uses a toroidal transformer with a combination of switching and linear voltage regulators. The standby power is at a very low 0.5 W maximum.

 

Synchronization
An internal high precision/low jitter clock generator is responsible for clocking the audio section. The sampling frequency of that generator is switched automatically according to the sampling frequency of the track played. In addition there are word-clock input and output on BNC connectors for external synchronization purposes. All standard sampling frequencies up to 192 kHz as well as DSD64 and DSD128 are supported.

 

Digital Inputs
Digital inputs for external audio sources: AES/EBU or S/PDIF formats on XLR, RCA, TOSLINK.

 

Converters
Available with the DAC version of the MAN301: The built-in D/A converter is of similar design to our renowned DAC202 unit. It uses four D/A conversion channels per audio channel for extremely low noise and distortion and an excellent linearity. The SERVER type of the MAN301 (i.e. the version w/o DAC) can be (user-) updated with the D/A Converter module at any time.

 

Analog Outputs
Available with the DAC version of the MAN301: Analog outputs on XLR and RCA connectors. The basic output level of these outputs can be set in four coarse steps in the analog domain. In addition they can be fine trimmed in the digital domain. The main fader, finally, works in the digital domain as well. The quality of this level control scheme is extremely high due to the excellent linearity of the D/A Converter and due to the dithering applied to the digital signal.

 

Digital Outputs
Digital outputs to external D/A Converters: AES/EBU on XLR and RCA, Firewire, USB. The XLR and RCA connectors can be combined into a dual wire type output for sampling frequencies of 176.4 or 192 kHz.

Front panel controls
The power switch allows to switch on or off the MAN301 unit. A three-color LED indicates the current system state. The slot-in type drive takes up CDs for ripping and/or direct playback.

 

Remote Control
All features of the MAN301 are controlled via an Apple® iPad or iPad Mini. All iPad generations work.

 

Back panel elements from left to right

• XLR and RCA type analog output sockets. For the SERVER version of the MAN301 the XLR sockets are missing and the RCA sockets are not connected internally. The SERVER version can be easily user-updated with the D/A Converter option.
• RCA type sockets for digital input and output.
• XLR type sockets for digital input and output.
• TOSLINK type socket for digital input (optical).
• BNC type sockets for word-sync synchronization input and output.
• Ethernet, USB and two Firewire 800 sockets.
• IEC type mains receptacle.
• WiFi antenna socket.

 

External music storage
The music files are stored on an external storage device, e.g. on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or DAS (Direct Attached Storage) like e.g. a USB hard-disk. There is no internal storage available for music files. Recommendations for suitable NAS devices are supplied in the MAN301 manual. Multiple NAS units can be added for unlimited storage.

 

Network connectivity
The Ethernet socket connects to a NAS and the local network. The WiFi (WLAN) implementation in the MAN301 supports at the same time an Access Point (i.e. the iPad can connect to the MAN301 directly if preferred) and an Uplink (i.e. the MAN301 can connect to the local WiFi network).

Software features
Some of the many software features of the MAN301 in a nutshell:

 

• Multiple MAN301 devices can be controlled from within a single iPad.
• Multiple users per MAN301 device are supported, each with his/her own music library, playlists, searches etc..
• All common audio file formats (uncompressed, lossless compressed, lossy compressed) are supported for playback and ripping.
• Music library displayed according to album names, artist names, genres, recently played, recently added.
• A powerful search facility allows to store searches, which result in dynamic playlists.
• Playlists are easily added, edited and can be set safe.
• Volume control in 4 coarse analog steps and with a high resolution, dithered digital fader.
• Start, stop, skip controls.
• Repeat single track or repeat whole playlist function.
• Powerful cover art search in multiple databases including Gracenote and Google.
• CD ripping in all common audio file formats.
• Direct CD playback without the need to rip the CD.
• Metadata fetching from various databases including Gracenote. (Gracenote is the most powerful database for CD metadata and cover art).
• Comprehensive user interface on iPad, easily to be handled even by computer novices.
• Software upgradeable via Internet.
• Internet radio streaming.
• Future software upgrades will include various signal processing facilities.

Power

• Mains voltage: 100…240 V, the mains voltage is automatically switched
• Fuse rating: 4 A slow blow for all mains voltages
• Power consumption: 50 W max.
• Power consumption in standby: 0.5 W max.

 

Size

• Depth: 30 cm
• Width: 45 cm
• Height: 6,6 cm
• Height including feet: 7,4 cm
• Height including feet and WiFi antenna: approx. 14 cm

 

Available Color
Silver, Black

 

Digital Inputs

• (1) XLR connector
• (1) RCA connector
• (1) TOSLINK connector (optical)
• (2) Firewire 800 connectors
• All inputs accept professional or consumer standard, i.e. accept AES/EBU or S/PDIF signals
• Sampling frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz on any of the inputs, except TOSLINK input: 96 kHz maximum
• Maximum input word-length: 24 Bits

 

Digital Outputs

• (1) XLR connector
• (1) RCA connector
• (2) Firewire 800 connectors
• (1) USB connector
• Professional channel status data on the XLR and RCA outputs
• The dual wire mode can be activated for sampling frequencies of 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz exclusively

 

Analog Outputs

• (2) XLR connectors (hot on pin 2), DC coupled, short circuit proof output circuitry, output impedance 44 Ω
• (2) RCA connectors, DC coupled, short circuit proof output circuitry, output impedance 22 Ω
• The output level is selectable via the iPad; four settings are provided as shown below:

 

XLR Output:

• 7.5 Vrms, +19.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 2.3 Vrms, +9.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 0.75 Vrms, −0.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 0.23 Vrms, −10.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input

These levels are achieved with all faders/gain trims set to maximum level.

 

RCA Output:

• 3.75 Vrms, +13.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 1.15 Vrms, +3.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 0.375 Vrms, −6.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input
• 0.115 Vrms, −16.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sine wave input

These levels are achieved with all faders/gain trims set to maximum level.

Synchronization

• Via the input signal
• Via the internal oscillator
• Via a word-clock signal (TTL level/75 Ω) on the BNC input
• Sampling frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz
• Word-clock output (TTL level/75 Ω) on BNC for synchronization of other equipment

 

Measurements (internal DAC option installed)
The measurements below have been taken at the following conditions (unless noted otherwise): 1 kHz measurement frequency, maximum selectable output level, 192 kHz sampling frequency (Fs), 22 kHz measurement bandwidth, unweighted, 0 dBr equals the output level at 0 dBFS input.

 

Frequency Response:

• Fs = 44.1 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±0.25 dB
• Fs = 44.1 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±1.3 dB
• Fs = 88.2 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±0.25 dB
• Fs = 88.2 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…40 kHz: within ±0.8 dB
• Fs = 88.2 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±0.25 dB
• Fs = 88.2 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…40 kHz: within ±1.5 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±0.25 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…40 kHz: within ±0.8 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter A, 0 Hz…80 kHz: within ±2.5 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…20 kHz: within ±0.25 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…40 kHz: within ±0.8 dB
• Fs = 176.4 kHz, Filter B, 0 Hz…80 kHz: within ±3.5 dB

 

Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise (THD+N):

• 116 dBr (0.00016 %) at −3 dBFS input level
• 125 dBr (0.000056 %) at −40 dBFS input level
• 125 dBr (0.000056 %) at −70 dBFS input level

 

Linearity:
At 0 dBFS to −120 dBFS input level: less than ±0.4 dB deviation from ideal

 

Spurious components (including harmonics):

• At 0 dBFS input level, maximum output level, 1 kHz, all components at less than −120 dBr
• At 0 dBFS input level, maximum output level, 4 kHz, all components at less than −115 dBr

 

Crosstalk:
Better than 120 dB, 20 Hz…20 kHz

 

Interchannel Phase Response:

• ±0.05° 20 Hz…20 kHz
• ±0.30° 20 Hz…80 kHz

Supported file formats for playback

• wav 44.1…192 kHz, 8…32 Bit, float, double
• aiff 44.1…192 kHz, 8…32 Bit, float, double
• m4a/alac 44.1…192 kHz, 16…32 Bit
• m4a/aac 44.1…96 kHz
• flac 44.1…192 kHz, 16…24 Bit (32 not tested/unknown)
• ogg/vorbis
• wma 44.1…48 kHz
• wv (wavepack) 44.1…192 kHz, 8…32 Bit
• dsf (dsd format) with 2.8224 Mbit/s or 5.6448 Mbit/s data rate
• dsdiff (dsd format) with 2.8224 Mbit/s or 5.6448 Mbit/s data rate