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Pacific Microsonics - Company and Product History |
Pacific Microsonics invented HDCD which stands for High Definition Compatible Digital. They also designed the PMD100, and subsequently the PMD200, HDCD decoding chips. Because none of the existing converters were up to their standards, in order make the kind of sound quality that was necessary to enable HDCD to work up to it's full potential they also had to design an A-D and a D-A converter. The first A-D/D-A was the Model One. Later that was replaced by the Model Two.
The primary engineer in charge of designing the circuitry for the legendary Pacific Microsonics Model One and Model Two converters was "Prof." Keith O. Johnson. Keith Johnson is one of the top digital and analog electrical engineers in audio today—and has been the lead designer for Spectral Audio for the past two decades. Currently, (as of 2012), his designs for Spectral truly represent the state-of-the-art in playback component design. In addition Keith Johnson is a multi Grammy Award-winning recording engineer who also coauthored several patents covering optical-disc technology that are the basis of today's video discs and digital audio CDs. Previously Keith co-founded Gauss Electrophysics, where he invented the technology used throughout the industry that enabled high-speed, high-quality duplication of prerecorded audio tapes. There is much more that could be said about Keith and his long list of accomplishments, but suffice it to say that he is highly respected in the realms of both high end audio and professional audio. If you'd like to learn more about Keith here is a link that explains his recording techniques and what kind of recording equipment he uses to achieve the high level of sound quality for which he is so renowned. If you'd like to hear his recordings here is a link to Reference Recordings and also a direct link to the high resolution HRx files which are bit-for-bit copies of the 176.4 kHz/24 bit stereo master recordings made with the Pacific Microsonics Model Two. If you would like to learn how to play these HRx files click here. There is also an interview in the February 2009 Absolute Sound which is quite interesting in which he talks about his approach to the design of high performance audio components.
Mathematician Pflash Pflaumer was another key member of the design team and was responsible for writing the DSP code—which are the very sophisticated algorithms used in the converters. Pflash is well known to those in computer networking as the inventor of TOPS, the first local area network that connected IBM PCs, Apple Macintosh, and minicomputers running UNIX. For more than three years, TOPS was the best-selling Macintosh network product internationally and earned Pflaumer several awards. Later, the company that he co-founded to develop TOPS was acquired by Sun Microsystems. Currently, as of 2009, he is part of the new Berkeley Audio Design team which manufactures the highly popular Alpha One DAC.
Other key members of the team were Michael Ritter (Managing Director), Rene Jaeger (Design Engineer), Dave Peck (Manufacturing Manger), and Andy Johnson (Director of Engineering).
Initially Pacific Microsonics designed and manufactured the Model One A-/D-A converter which operated at both 44.1 and 88.2kHz—at 16, 20, or 24 bits.
A few years later the Model One was replaced by the Model Two which—in addition to 44.1 and 88.2—added in 48, 96, 176.4 & 192 kHz sampling rates. For those top recording and mastering engineers who are fortunate enough to be using them, they know that the Model Two was, and still is, the best A-D converter ever made. And even though it is now discontinued, as of 2012, there still is nothing that sounds as good and as true. For the true test of an A-D and D-A converter combo is to first listen to a high quality live mike feed of acoustic music and then to insert the A-D/D-A combo and listen to the degree of difference. Especially if you are listening through a very neutral, linear, top notch high end audio system properly setup in a room with excellent acoustical treatment, you will hear and understand for yourself. Alternatively you can do the same test with a high quality analog master tape as the source. In our experience the Model Two operated at 176.4/24 or 192/24 is simply the closest thing we've heard to a live mike feed.
● Pacific Microsonics Model Two A-D/D-A Converter
Here is some information about the Pacific Microsonics Model Two:
Ø Pacific Microsonics Model Two - Product Brochure
Ø Pacific Microsonics Model Two - Operating Manual
Ø Pacific Microsonics Model Two - Menu Tree Diagram
● Model Two - usage tips
When making a new recording using the Pacific Microsonics Model Two consider how it will be released.
If a CD will be made from the recording then it is best to make the recording at 176.4 kHz / 24 bit. That way you can get a perfect decimation down to 44.1 kHz. (In this case the perfect decimation is 176.4 divided by 4 = 44.1). Also that way you have the highest quality master recording which can, if you so choose, be released as a high resolution file. High Resolution files can either be sold on-line as a download or distributed on a medium such as DVD-R.
If a CD will not be released of the recording then you could make it at either 176.4 or 192 kHz, as the sound quality at either sampling rate is essentially indistinguishable from each other. Once again, if there is a reason to down-convert, think about always trying to do so with perfect decimation (using the Model Two to do the down conversion) when doing so in the digital domain.
Tip: If you have to change a previously made recording from a sampling rate of 48 kHz (or multiples thereof such as 96 or 192) to 44.1 kHz (or a multiple thereof such as 88.2 or 176.4), or vice versa, then it is better to do so through D/A and A/D conversion. The reason is that because the Model Two has such high quality A/D and D/A converters, the end result will be both sonically and musically more satisfying. While this may sound counter-intuitive to some people who are used to making such conversions using digital SRC (sample rate conversion) all you have to do is try both ways and hear the difference for yourself.
When using the Model Two to do a recording, it is best to set the Model Two as the Master Word Clock and slave the recorder to it. The reason is that the Model Two contains a highly accurate word clock and you will get the best sonic results this way.
When using the Model Two at either 176.4 or 192, you will need to hook it up to a digital recorder using dual-wire AES-EBU. However if your recorder will not work with dual-wire then you can use it at 88.2 or 96 using single-wire.
The most efficient way to switch modes is to use presets which can be custom setup in order to be optimized for your recording rig.
To set the recording input level: There is a removable plate on the rear panel, behind which is a set of jumpers which you use to set your levels.
● Why is the Model Two out of production?
Everyone who hears the Pacific Microsonics Model Two of course immediately asks the question, "Why it is no longer available?"
Here is the answer written by Dave Peck, who formerly worked for Pacific Microsonics and now works for Euphonix (which continued the manufacturing of the Model Two after Pacific Microsonics was acquired by Microsoft), and was intimately involved with the manufacturing and testing of both the Model One and the Model Two:
"The HDCD converters were discontinued because it became impossible to build any more. When several critical components became obsolete, Pacific Microsonics made a 'last time buy' of as many of them as possible to allow production to continue for another year or two, as well as buying a large number of other components that were expected to go obsolete during that time period. All of them did go obsolete. So, at the end of that time period, it was then completely impossible to build any more. It would have required such a significant redesign that it would have been better to start from scratch on a completely new design.
However, by that time, Pacific Microsonics no longer existed and the converters were being built by Euphonix (by the same crew using all the same materials, test equipment, etc.). Keep in mind that the Model Two was never supposed to be a source of revenue for Pacific Microsonics. They were essentially sold at cost, and the company made money by selling the HDCD decoder chips to CD and DVD player manufacturers like Rotel and Denon. Since this did not benefit Euphonix, it was not practical for Euphonix to fund the design of a new version of the product. And as was pointed out, Keith Johnson and the other designers were busy with other work anyway and would not have been available.
BTW, although it is not possible to build new HDCD converters, Euphonix has a significant stock of service parts so there is no problem getting one of these converters serviced.
And yes! Keith Johnson's recordings are absolutely amazing. Check out anything he has done on Reference Recordings. He's also just about the nicest guy you'll ever meet."
Because of Alan Goodwin's passionate interest in recording acoustical music at the highest level of quality possible, he spent many years waiting for an A-D converter to come along which sounded really good. But after owning and recording with a Studer A80-RC fitted with Levinson electronics, for many years digital just didn't sound as good and so he kept searching and waiting. Finally the Pacific Microsonics released their converter and the search was over. His assessment at the time was, and still is, that the Model Two meets the highest standards of both high end audio and professional audio—which makes it relatively unique as very few products actually do.
Initially his search was only for a converter that he could use for his own recordings. However with the Model Two being so superb, and because he felt that he understood the product so well and that it met his personal standards of excellence, he felt that he should represent such a superb product. Also because he knew Keith Johnson and other insiders involved in the project he became the East Coast dealer for the Model Two.
His view is that it is a crime against music that the Model Two is no longer in production! (Now the preceding sentence may sound a bit melodramatic—but the proof is in the listening.) Because today most people listen to music through digital recordings—once Analog-to-Digital conversion is done at a lower level of sonic quality, it can never be improved upon. Maybe someday someone will come up with the necessary funding (which as it turns out would be several million dollars) to start another company, re-engineer the Model Two around parts that are either attainable or buildable, and put it back into production. If you are interested in funding such a project please call Alan Goodwin at 781-893-9000 sooner rather than later as each year that goes by makes it more challenging to accomplish for several important reasons. In the meantime, if you have one you know how lucky you are!
If you are seeking a Model One or Model Two you can contact Alan Goodwin at 781-893-9000. Though they are no longer in production, because he was the East Coast dealer he knows where many of them are. So he might be able to search for and locate a used one for you—or arrange for a rental for you for a special project where sound quality is of the utmost importance and nothing else will do.
● Recording and Mastering Engineers using the Pacific Microsonics A-D/D-A Converter:
If you have a recording or mastering project that is especially important to you, here is a partial listing of a few of the top Recording and Mastering Engineers who utilize the Pacific Microsonics Model Two:
Mastering & Recording Studios using Pacific Microsonics Model Two
Ø Gateway Mastering - Bob Ludwig - Portland, Maine - 207-828-9400
Ø Skywalker Sound - San Rafael, CA - recording room plan-view - mic and equipment list
Ø Georgetown Mastering - (equipment) Nashville, Tennessee - 615-254-3233
Ø Paul Stubblebine Mastering - San Francisco, CA - 415-522-0108
Ø Michael Romanowski Mastering - San Francisco, CA - 415-522-0108
Ø John Greenham Mastering - San Francisco, CA
Ø Rob Cross Mastering - San Francisco, CA
Ø Future Disc Mastering - Steve Hall - (article) McMinnville, OR - 213-361-0603
Ø M Works Mastering Studio - Jonathan Wyner - Cambridge, MA - 617-577-0089
Ø Peerless Mastering - (equipment) - (article) - Jeff Lipton - Newton, MA - 617-527-2200
Ø AcousTech Mastering - Kevin Gray - Camarillo, CA - 805-484-2749
Ø Kitchen Mastering - Brent Lambert - Carrboro, NC - 919-929-4494
Ø Garage Audio Mastering - Jeffrey Norman - Petaluma, California - 707-696-0616
Ø Air Show Mastering - Boulder, CO - 888-545-9035
Ø SAE Mastering - Phoenix, AZ - 602-242-0022
Ø Super Audio Mastering - Simon Heyworth - Great Britain - 44 (0) 1647 432 858
Ø Cutting Room - Stockholm, Sweden - 46 (0)8 505 817 00
Mastering & Recording Studios using Pacific Microsonics Model One
Ø Magic Garden Mastering - Brian Lucey - Columbus, OH - 614-620-4567
Ø Hit Track Recording Studio - Las Vegas, NV - 702-481-1663
Ø The Red Room - Philippe Weiss - Suresnes, France
Record Labels using Pacific Microsonics Model Two
Ø Reference Recordings - San Francisco, California
Ø Linn Records - Glasgow, Scotland - 44 (0)141 303 5027
Ø First Impression Music - Winston Ma - Seattle, Oregon
Pacific Microsonics Model Two Rentals
Ø Advanced Audio Rentals - Burbank, CA - Day Rate: $250 - 818-955-7100
Ø
DMT Rentals -
Burbank, CA
- 818-559-2272
● A few notable projects recorded or mastered with the Pacific Microsonics Model Two
- Reference Recordings HRx - releases @ 176.4 kHz / 24 bit (recorded w/Model Two)
- Utah Symphony Orchestra (Abravanel) - ‘Brahms: Symphony No.1, Academic Festival Overture’ (DVD-A) (remastered w/Model Two) (in-depth review)
- Emerson, Lake and Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery - (DVD-A) (remastered w/Model Two) (in-depth review)
- Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1: 1963-1972 [10 Blu-ray Disc set] (2009) (remastered w/Model Two) (tech info) (in-depth review) (another review)
- The Doors/Numbered Limited Edition 7LP 180G Vinyl Box Set w/7" 45 (remastered w/Model Two) (tech info)
● A-D Converter Comparison Test
Finally here is a link to an extensive A-D test which was posted in April 2009 between 14 different A-D converters, one of which was the Pacific Microsonics Model Two. Listening and comparing for yourself is of course the best thing to do as the final arbiter should always be your own ears!
Note: Because the link above has small grey text on a black background, for those of you who would like read a version with larger black text on a white background, we have made a copy of the whole text here.