Advantages of the Digital Amp
Full-Digital Processing
Our amplifiers use digital processing from signal input all the way through to output. Their amazing amplification lets you enjoy the full potential of today's most advanced audio sources such as DVD-Audio. And because our amplifiers are compatible with sampling frequencies up to 192 kHz, you can enjoy faithful reproduction of analog audio signals converted into 192-kHz/24-bit signals so you won’t lose any of that great, original sound.
Low Noise, Low Distortion
Panasonic and Texas Instruments developed technology that helps eliminate the distortion that occurs in PCM-to-PWM conversion, to help prevent a loss in stability. Our amplifiers boast 98-MHz processing. They incorporate 4-dimensional noise-shaper technology to reduce noise as well as, feed-forward error correction to ensure ultra-low distortion, even in high-frequency sounds. They also offer a VGDA (Variable Gain Digital Amplifier) function that improves the S/N ratio so you enjoy superb sound even when listening at low volume.
High Efficiency, High Power
An advanced switching amp control method called dead time control combines with a serial snubber circuit to help conserve electric power at the output stage. This super-high efficiency not only helps save energy and helps reduce heat generation, it also helps ensure a stable, high-quality sound. Our amplifiers are built for power, too. Pumping out 100 watts/ch* over 7ch – incredibly high output for amplifiers this slim – they let you enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful sound inherent in DVD and other multi-channel sources.
* 1kHz, 6ohms, 0.9% THD
Technologies that Zero in on Sound Quality
32-bit Floating Point DSP
The SA-XR57 incorporates a 32-bit Floating Point Digital Signal Processor. Boasting exceptional speed and precision, this advanced processor decodes Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES and other surround sound signals quickly and accurately to deliver a stunningly lifelike surround performance. Also, an A/D converter converts analog signals to 192-kHz/24-bit digital signals, then
applies 32-bit DSP processing. This gives you an extremely high-quality sound even when playing conventional analogue sources.
192-kHz/24-bit A/D Converter
This converts analogue signals to digital signals and delivers them to the 32-bit DSP, giving you maximum benefit from the digital amp and digital functions even when playing analog sources.
Pure Water Capacitor
A Pure Water Capacitor containing a rayon separator is used as the electrolytic capacitor for each of the seven audio channels. With its high water content this capacitor offers
excellent electrical characteristics and low impedance. The clean electric current it delivers to the speakers helps achieve a clear, transparent sound.
MOS-FET
The power amp section is equipped with newly developed, half-bridge MOS-FETs, which assure high conversion efficiency and excellent audio characteristics. Also, by integrating the conventional four MOS-FETs per channel to two per
channel, we downsized the circuitry and shortened the signal path. The result is a fast, powerful speaker drive that delivers highly linear, true-to-life musical reproduction.
High Quality Dual Amp Drive Reproduction
Dual Amp Drive
The SA-XR57 achieves superb reproduction by making it possible for two amps to drive ordinary (non-biwired) speakers connected via a single speaker cable. Conventional multi-channel amps use only one amp per speaker in 2-channel playback, and the surround channel amp is not used at all. But in the SA-XR57/55, Panasonic has applied original technology that takes full advantage of the characteristics of digital amps, completely synchronising the two amps in parallel so that they can drive a single speaker using the ordinary connection method. This capitalizes on the outstanding response of the digital amp, while the double drive power adds richness and depth. The dual amp drive system automatically activates for 2-channel sources and then resumes ordinary drive for multi-channel sources. There is no need to change speaker cables to match the source.
Conventional Two-Channel Reproduction | Two-Channel Reproduction with Dual Amp Drive |
| | | | | |
Digital Amplifier | Left Speaker | Digital Amplifier | Left Speaker |
FL | Amp | | | | | FL | Amp | | | |
| | | | | | |
LS | Amp | | | | | LS | Amp | | | |
SBL | Amp | | | | | SBL | Amp | | | |
| | | | | | |
FR | Amp | | | | | FR | Amp | | | |
RS | Amp | | | | | RS | Amp | | | |
SBR | Amp | | | | | SBR | Amp | | | |
C | Amp | | Right Speaker | C | Amp | Right Speaker |
| | | | | | | | | | |
5.1ch with Dual Amp Drive (Advanced Dual Amp)
The SA-XR57 also uses its dual amp drive system to drive the left and right front speakers in 5.1ch playback mode. This enhances realism and ambience in movie soundtracks by delivering high-quality sound from the left and right front channels that play such an important role in reproducing movie sound effects and background music.
Triple Amp with Bi-Amp/Bi-Wiring Drive
When using bi-wired speakers
with the SA-XR57/55, each | Two-Channel Reproduction with |
speaker is driven by three amps | Triple Amp Bi-Amp/Bi-Wiring Drive |
| | | | | | |
for even higher sound quality. | Digital Amplifier | | Left Speaker | | |
This bi-amp system drives the | FL | Amp | | | | | |
LS | Amp | | | | | |
treble range with a single amp | | | | | | | |
SBL | Amp | | | | | |
FR | Amp | | | | | |
and the bass range with dual | RS | Amp | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
amps, using a total of six amps | SBR | Amp | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
C | Amp | | | | | |
| Right Speaker | | |
for high stereo fidelity. | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | |
Wide Frequency Range, Wide Power Bandwidth
Panasonic digital amplifiers boast a high frequency response up to
| 88 kHz and a wide power bandwidth with low distortion. And they |
| drive the entire frequency | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Difference of Power Bandwidth |
| range - something analogue |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| amplifiers cannot do. The | (Power) | | Panasonic Digital Amplifier | |
| 0dB | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| results are amplifiers that | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| clearly reproduce even | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| high-frequency sound | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Regular | | | | Top End | | | | | |
| components 20 kHz and | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Analog | | | | Analog | | | | | |
| above, and unleash the | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| remarkable sound potential of | | 20kHz | 50kHz 70kHz | | 100kHz |
| | | | | (frequency) | 88kHz |
| DVD-Audio and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| advanced sources. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Auto Speaker Detector
The Auto Speaker Detector function detects the connected speaker system and automatically adjusts the settings. The SA-XR57 is set for 7.1ch at the factory. If it is connected to a 5.1ch speaker system, the Auto Speaker Detector function will automatically switch the setting to 5.1ch. This prevents improper sound ambience due to incorrect settings. This function can also be used to check for a loose cable or a faulty connection when there is no sound output from a specific speaker.
