HELIX 12-channel amplifier with integrated 14-channel DSP V TWELVE DSP

HELIX 12-channel amplifier with integrated 14-channel DSP

Helix V TWELVE DSP

The king of connectivity with 12 high-level inputs, 6 Cinch inputs, 14 DSP channels, 12 output stages with up to 160 RMS at 2 Ohms combined in an ultra-compact housing that has the footprint of just two envelopes. The new V TWELVE DSP is unmistakeably a technological milestone and the problem solver par excellence when it comes to upgrading multichannel premium sound systems in today's vehicles.

Connectivity redefined

What to do if a vehicle is already equipped with a premium sound system ex-works, whose amplifier often already has more than 10 channels? In many cases, a replacement is no longer possible, so that only an amplifier with the same number of high-level inputs can be considered for upgrading the system. The V TWELVE DSP is the first amplifier worldwide that offers 12 high-level inputs and just as many amplifier channels, a digital input and an HEC slot. The integrated DSP can handle this easily since it comes with the incredible number of fourteen (14!) separate channels.

Virtual Channel Processing ? this is how signal routing works today

The adaptation to modern OE sound systems via an increasing number of inputs has a significant impact on the complexity of the signal routing inside the amplifier. Especially when several input signals are mixed and then split again into multi-way systems, conventional routing concepts quickly reach their limits. Audiotec Fischer's new multi-stage "Virtual Channel Processing", in conjunction with the recognized user-friendly DSP PC-Tool software makes it easy to realize even highly complex system configurations. Besides, it allows to freely assign our proprietary FX sound features such as "RealCenter" or "Augmented Bass Processing". But thanks to its enormous number of channels, the V TWELVE DSP is also a prime example for applications in which a 1 to 1 routing (IOR) makes sense.

The plus in speed ? thanks to ACO

Such a huge number of channels requires ultra-fast hardware ? Audiotec Fischer's proprietary 32 Bit ACO platform takes overall control tasks and ensures exceptional speed especially for data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software, but also for lightning-fast switching between up to ten possible sound setups. The fantastic sound effects associated with the ACO platform such as Augmented Bass Processing, StageXpander or RealCenter are just as natural with the V TWELVE DSP as a 12-channel input EQ including our Input Signal Analyzer (ISA) for easy analysis and compensation of the input signals from OE radios.

Sound quality without any compromises

Separate AD and DA converters of the latest generation from Asahi Kasei with a native resolution of 32 Bit ensure optimal sound performance, best possible signal-to-noise ratio and minimal distortion. Concerns that the abundance of audio channels and the extremely dense design could have an impact on the sound quality are completely out of place for a HELIX product.

Up to 160 W RMS output power per channel into 2 ?

?Pure Class GD? concept for outstanding sound quality combined with best possible efficiency

Extremely powerful 64 Bit ?fixed point? Audio DSP

ACO ? Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor platform for system and DSP features like:

ISA (Input Signal Analyzer) and InputEQ for easy analysis and compensation of input signals

SFX sound effects ? Augmented Bass Processing, StageXpander, RealCenter & Co.

High power 12-channel high-level input with up to 32 V RMS input sensitivity and ADEP.3 circuit

1 to 1 Input / Output Routing (IOR) ? the same number of high-level inputs and amplifier outputs

Virtual Channel Processing (VCP) allows even more flexible configuration for highly complex sound systems

HELIX Extension Card slot (HEC) for additional input/output modules like Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, High-Resolution Audio Streaming via USB etc.

Compact design with low heat dissipation thanks to extraordinary efficiency

Special features:

Pure Class GD amplifier technology

Audiotec Fischer's proprietary Pure Class GD concept takes the efficiency of conventional Class D amps to the next level. By varying the internal supply voltage depending on the amplifier?s input signals, idle losses are significantly reduced and overall efficiency is close to maximum at any time.

So heat dissipation is almost negligible thus allowing smallest heat sinks and most compact form factors. Besides that Pure Class GD amp outperforms conventional Class D designs in terms of sound quality by implementing a fully differential signal path and improved output filter design.

ACO ? Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor

The HELIX V TWELVE DSP incorporates an extraordinary powerful 32 Bit CoProcessor of the latest generation for all monitoring and communication tasks, both internally and externally. In opposite to the 8 Bit predecessor generation, this MCU achieves way higher speeds for setup switching and data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software. A further significant advantage is the integrated, native boot loader of the CoProcessor.

It allows software upgrades of all components of the integrated DSP to adjust the microcontroller-controlled ADEP.3 circuit for example to future requirements of the diagnostic system of factory radios or if the device will be extended with additional interfaces. Also, thanks to the new flash memory, the ACO offers 10 memory locations for sound setups instead of the common two.

Smart high-level input ADEP.3

Modern, factory-installed car radios incorporate sophisticated possibilities of diagnosing the connected speakers. In particular, the latest generation of car radios is equipped with additional monitoring functions so that failure messages and loss of specific features (e.g. fader function) quite often appear if an amplifier will be hooked up ? but not with the V TWELVE DSP.

The new ADEP.3 circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection, 3rd Generation) avoids all these problems without loading the speaker outputs of the OE radio during high volumes unnecessarily.

Start-Stop capability

The switched power supply of the HELIX V TWELVE DSP assures a constant internal supply voltage even if the battery?s voltage drops to 6 Volts during engine crank.

Power Save Mode

The Power Save Mode is incorporated in the basic setup. It allows to significantly reduce the power consumption of the amplifiers that are connected to the HELIX V TWELVE DSP once there?s no input signal present for more than 60 seconds. Please note that in many up-to-date cars with ?CAN? or any other internal bus structures the radio can remain ?invisibly? turned on for up to 45 min. even after locking and leaving the car! Once the ?Power Save Mode? is active the remote output and therefore the connected amplifiers will be turned off.

The V TWELVE DSP will reactivate the remote output within a second if a music signal is applied. It is possible to either modify the turn-off time of 60 sec. or completely deactivate the ?Power Save Mode? via the DSP PC-Tool software.

RealCenter

The ?RealCenter? feature is an algorithm, developed by Audiotec Fischer, that emphasizes the music information which is present in both the left and right front channel to create a unique centre signal. In contrast to common procedures, in which only the channels are summed up, the intensity of the centre signal is also dynamically controlled by the stereophonic informational content of the left and right channel.

Sounds complicated but this effect is astonishing: That means if solely the left or right channel delivers an audio signal, the centre channel will not reproduce a signal. In the case of common algorithms, the volume level of the centre channel is only reduced by 6 dB (= half volume level). Audiotec Fischer?s ?RealCenter? allows a unique, broadened sound staging for both driver and co-driver at the same time! Therefore, the disadvantages of a conventional centre channel, such as an intrusive, small sound stage, are things of the past.

Augmented Bass Processing

Audiotec Fischer?s proprietary ?Augmented Bass Processing?, consisting of the two revolutionary sound features ?Dynamic Bass Enhancement? and ?SubXpander?, has been specially developed to dramatically improve the bass reproduction of subwoofers.

The ?Dynamic Bass Enhancement? ingeniously combines maximum deep bass and highest sound pressure ? regardless of the music style or the tone controls in the head unit. Depending on the input signal, the ?Dynamic Bass Enhancement? gains the lower frequency range and varies the cut-off frequency of the subsonic filter. The result is a significantly more powerful and deeper bass response at low and medium volume levels without the risk of overloading the subwoofer neither mechanically nor electrically at high volume levels. It is simply fascinating which bass performance is suddenly possible.