Rupert Neve Designs has introduced the new MBC dual path analog to digital converter that also provides an analog limiter, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion fed by selectable analog drive paths, high-resolution metering, word clock I/O, analog XLR inputs and simultaneous AES, S/PDIF, and TOSLINK outputs.
The newly developed analog drive circuitry os desogmed to allow the MBC’s converter to be fed by either a class-A transformerless path for added transparency, or by purpose-built interstage audio transformers with the company’s own variable Silk Red and Blue circuitry to control harmonic content and drive saturation.
“The MBC was designed for reference performance regardless of genre or desired sonic character, and the key to this lies in the quality and adaptability of the analog drive circuitry,” notes a company statement.
The MBC’s compound active release analog limiter section has a class-A line amp stage with up to 20 dB of gain, adjustable threshold and release controls, and an insertable high-pass side-chain filter fully sweepable from 20 Hz to 250 Hz. The limiter may be used in dual mono or stereo linked operation.
According to the company, the converters in the MBC were developed “after years of careful listening,” and represent a further advancement of the design within the Rupert Neve Designs RMP-D8, the company’s Dante-connected microphone preamplifier. The converters have precision-controlled internal clocking with minimal jitter and phase noise, and the word clock output allows the MBC to act as “a high-end master clock for the entire studio, or allows for external sync to a separate master clock if desired.” Four Reference Level calibration standards from -14 dBFS to -20 dBFS can be selected to match external converters and are implemented with precision resistors and relay-controlled stepped attenuation.
Finally, a pair of 22-segment meters provide level metering of the input to the converter stage, which can be further customized with selectable 1-second or 3-second peak hold options. Gain reduction is also displayed on the faceplate via a pair of separate 8-segment LED meters.
The new MBC is now shipping worldwide with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3,999 USD.
