Cygnet

Cygnet is a small, battery powered, Class A amplifier. It utilizes a 24bit 96kHz upsampling DAC to allow for the enjoyment of high resolution audio with CD quality files. There are no processors, touch screens, or software updates. Class A transistors are used to drive its outputs. Transistors biased into Class A provide for a better management, of harmonics. That management, creates a real life sound not found in D Class or many tube amplifiers.

Cygnet has inputs for USB, optical, and analog along with output speaker jacks. 64 watts of battery power enables Cygnet to drive 2.4 watts into 8 ohms. This makes Cygnet perfect for desktop and sensitive speakers, rated above 93dB or bookshelf speakers 89dB or higher. When used with 70 to 80dB listening levels and speakers, it can have a runtime of 9 hours.

Copper shielded super chips are employed for the upsampling DAC and volume control. The super chips provide shielding and circuitry separation. This helps to isolate noise generated from the upsampling DAC. The upsampling DAC re-clocks and upsamples incoming PCM files to 24bit 96kHz. Files above this resolution, DSD, and MQA files are not supported.

The volume control contains 256 steps and 3 levels. This is a discrete step volume control that places only 1 thin film resistor in the signal chain. There are no relays or noisy switches. The volume control is situated between the DAC and output transistors to ensure the shortest path possible. To reach a desired listening level from 0, 256 steps and 3 gain stages can be very time consuming. Therefore, there is a separate gross and fine volume control switch. This combined with a 3 level gain stage switch, quickly brings up the right volume level.

Cygnet's Class A output transistors are bigger than the Mini's. This allows for a harder Class A bias giving the Cygnet a unique sound. It is not as tube-like as a Mini, but it is also not a solid state sound. The harmonics mimic a more natural sound. This sound combined with the ultra low noise floor brings the music to life in away that makes one question why they would want to go to a live venue.

The effect of shielding and transistors can be seen in the spectrum analysis plot. This is a 2.8v signal into 47 ohms. The first harmonic is at -70dB. For most people, hearing stops at -60dB, and the noise floor is at -95dB, which is the noise floor of the spectrum analyzer. For headphones the distortion level into 47 ohms is .04%. Not shown, is a 1 watt output into a 8 ohm load is .6%

Cygnet is unique. The obvious copper chassis makes it stand out in a crowd of cookie cutter products. Its massive battery power combined with an upsampling DAC brings high resolution audio to everyone.

Clear Acrylic front and back cover plates receive a $175 reduction in price.

Specifications

• Chip set TI Burr Brown and Analog Devices

• Upsamples PCM files up to 24 bit 96kHz

• Inputs

  • 1 USB Mini

  • 1 Optical

  • 1 Analog

• Outputs

  • 3.25mm headphone jack

  • Speaker jacks

• Distortion

  • .04% 2.8 volts into 47 ohms

  • .6% 2.8 volts into 8 ohms

• ​Volume control 256 steps with 3 gain levels

• 10 hour LIPO battery life into headphones

• Output impedance 1.1 ohms

• 9 hour battery life into 8 ohms, 96 dB speakers

• ​Chassis dimensions 5" wide by 6" deep by 3" tall

• Weight is 4.5 pounds