Details, similarities, differences.
The most obvious external difference between the Ikemi and Genki is the CD loading slot. The slim aluminium drawer of the Ikemi is the only visible part of the CD mechanism. Inside is a precision machined and very ingenious CD loading mechanism. Its ‘mechatronic’ design is built up from a rigid circuit board which contains the CD servo and decoding circuitry, the mechanism control circuitry and software, and the motors, pulleys, belts and optical sensors which monitor the disc loading process.
The mechanism is not only a pleasure to use but also provides considerable vibration and environmental protection for the laser system, increasing its immunity to external disturbances.
The digital audio signals from this ‘CD engine’ are connected through very short links to the ‘audio module’ which contains our ‘2D’ digital signal processing algorithm, the D/A convertors, the master clock, filters, output circuitry and power supply regulators. This uses (as do all our products) high density surface mount circuitry to keep the signal paths short and direct, giving a very electrically quiet product with high immunity to external electrical disturbances. The Ikemi has both single ended and balanced audio outputs, making it easy to connect to any high performance control amplifier. The balanced output, unlike many others, uses a very low noise circuit topology allowing maximum signal transfer from the Ikemi.
The Genki uses a simple, reliable and robust CD mechanism, which though lacking the refinement of the Ikemi mechanism has exactly
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