Primare I15 PRISMA Mk2 Integrated Amplifier, DAC & Streamer

Description

Primare I15 PRISMA amplifier combines all-analogue class D amplifier circuitry, carefully designed power supplies, a state of the art 32bit/768kHz digital to analogue converter and PRISMA: Primare’s proprietary media centre with Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay and Google ChromeCast built-in. An audiophile preamp, power amp, DAC and streamer, all in one compact three-quarter chassis: Primare’s I15 PRISMA is literally a hi-fi system in a box… just all your favourite speakers and a mobile device.

Design philosophy

All Primare products are a result of a practical design approach, resulting in a focus on two fundamental design elements:

1.  Thoroughly implemented power supply designs – so that all elements of any design to operate effortlessly at their fullest effectiveness. Every product and subcircuit demands unique power supply solutions – a more conventional linear supply or advanced switch mode main supply may work best dependent upon the application, and carefully crafted individual discrete power supplies are strategically inserted into the circuit to deliver power exactly where and how much is needed.
2. Artfully crafted ultra-short signal paths – so that each individual component and sub circuit operates sympathetically to achieve a cohesive whole. Elegant and simple electrical designs are used in even the most complex product, utilizing ultra-short signal paths with all gain in one device whenever possible. Ultimately, this results in fewer, higher quality parts for a reduction in associated distortions and an increase in overall electrical efficiency.To that end, basic technologies have been selected to realize those benefits:
   1. 2 and 4-layer double-sided circuit board construction allows for the most direct and efficient layout of circuit components not only for the shortest signal
      path, but also to more easily achieve a sympathetic layout of circuit and subcircuit components for best performance.
   2. Surface mount components are used whenever possible as this allows for
      direct connection of the circuit device or component to the circuit board trace
      with the solder being used solely to mechanically hold the part in place. The
      elimination of the small metal lead or wire at each connection point in a more
      conventional large scale circuit device or component cumulatively shortens the
      signal path. Additionally, conventional large scale components demand
      through hole or “eyelet” construction, limiting direct contact of the component’s
      lead to the circuit board trace and resulting in the solder providing electrical
      connection as well as mechanical connection for the device. Neither solder nor
      the metal used in the leads of most large scale devices provide the best signal
      transmission, therefore limiting potential performance of even the best
      designed circuits.
   3. Class D amplifier technology has many inherent advantages, one of which is
      the ability to locate the heat sink directly on the circuit board within the
      amplification module, considerably reducing circuit path length and allowing
      for the power output devices to be directly connected to the speaker output
      connection posts.

Amplifier Technology

Input section: Carefully crafted input circuitry utilizes relays for input switching providing better isolation and sound than found in more conventional CMOS (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) switches, and improved 2 x 4 channel balanced mode volume control IC selected for optimal channel balance and low listening level performance.
Control Section:

• The latest generation OLED display technology used in the I35 was originally developed for the automobile industry to ensure long life in even the most hostile
  environments, and improved readability due to greater consistency of color value and brightness level.
• Auto sense input circuitry automatically selects any input source as it is activated.
• C25 IR remote control with completely new, proprietary control codes for faster response and reduced interference.
• RS-232 connection, in addition to being used for component quality control testing of each and every product, allows for the use of whole home system control technologies such as Control 4.
• 12V triggers for coordinated system turn on and turn off.

Control Configuration: Either from the front panel, C25 IR remote control or Prisma app, the I15 Prisma can be
configured to best suit system needs, including:
• Input settings
o Status – enable or disable the input to make it visible or not, so only those
you use are visible for easier input selection
o Alias – edit the alias, or rename, each input to give it a specific name, for
easier identification
o Auto-sense – enable auto-sense to determine which inputs will be
automatically selected when a signal is detected
o Volume – choose between variable or fixed volume, allowing any input to
pass through the preamp stage to connect directly to the amplifier for use
of within a home theater system configuration.
Or fixed gain setting allows for any input to be use in a theater or
surround sound pass through configuration
o Input Gain – adjusting the input gain so that all inputs to be at the same
relative volume level, and as result the ability to raise or lower overall
gain for preferred output volume setting
• Audio Settings
o Balance – to adjust the output balance between the left and right speaker
o Startup volume – sets the volume level at a predetermined level upon turn
on from standby or at the level when last switched off.
o Maximum volume – sets the maximum volume
o Mute volume – sets the output level when muted, from 0 to any preferred
setting
o Digital output – to select between 48kHz and 96kHz settings for the
digital output from analog inputs, as some devices in your system might
not be compatible with the default 96kHz output.
• General
o Show inputs – choose between showing all enabled inputs or only those
with signal
o Front panel – to lock the front panel to disable all front panel controls
o Auto dim – select the amount of time at which the front panel display will
dim
o LED brightness – set the level of display brightness for three specified dim
levels
o Standby settings
§ Standby mode – select
• “normal” standby, which allows any activated input device
set to “wake up” enable to wake up the Prisma integrated
amp or preamplifier from standby
• or “Eco” in order for the device to consume less than 0.5W
in standby mode, disabling auto wake-up
§ Auto-standby – sets the amount of time without user interface
action or signal from last selected source before the device
automatically goes into standby
Limstensgatan 7 | SE-21616 Limhamn | Sweden | +46 40 6548800 | primare.net
§ Wake up – enables auto-sense to wake up the device from
standby upon detecting an input signal source
§ Factory reset – allows for the device to be returned to factory
default settings
Amplification Section
The I15 Prisma employs a specially made Hypex UCD102 amplifier module, fed by our
custom heavy duty switch mode power supply and carefully crafted analog input stage,
provides a dynamic and detailed sound. The large scale mass production of this module
allows us to provide the balanced and coherent sound for which Primare has become
known at a more reasonable price than can be achieved with our limited production
UFPD 2 amplifier module technology.
Power Supply Section
Given the speed with which the Hypex amplifier module is able to deliver power to the
speaker a switch mode power supply was the only choice in that it allows for rapidly
varying demand, providing much more stable voltage, with ancillary capacitive storage
to meet peak transient burst requirements.
Digital to Analog Conversion (DAC) Technology
In order to allow for playback of virtually any digital source with absolute accuracy and
musicality a high performance 32-bit stereo AKM DAC AK4490EQ chipset was selected
for the I15 Prisma, incorporating AKM’s VELVET SOUNDTM technology, and capable of
achieving -112dB THD+N with 120dB (stereo) S/N, while supporting up to 768kHz PCM
and 256/11.2MHz DSD.
The AK4490EQ integrates a newly developed switched capacitor filter “OSR Doubler”
that greatly reduces sound degradation from noise shaping, achieving a flat noise floor
up to 200kHz. An innovative design technique utilizing a symmetrical layout for the left
and right channels prevents signal quality deterioration, and a 32-bit digital operation
block provides full 32-bit processing.
Prisma Connectivity and Control Technology
Prisma provides multi-room/multi-zone connectivity and control for playback of stored
and streamed media, wired or wireless, all managed from any mobile device through a
dedicated system control app. In addition to Bluetooth®, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect,
Prisma features Chromecast built-in, a unique streaming portal allowing effortless direct
connection to hundreds of streaming applications for the best possible performance and
user experience.
Prisma App, in addition to the configuration settings control listed above, provides:
• Switching of all inputs, analog and digital, stored or streamed
• Playback functions: Play, stop, track forward and back, shuffle play, repeat
single or all tracks, volume mute, volume adjustment either by tapping the -/+
icons or sliding your finger across the volume bar
• Multi-room multi-zone control between other Prisma enabled devices
• Search by artist, album, track, and title from stored media
• Complete track information, including file format, bit and sample rate
• Playlist and Queue creation from stored media
Limstensgatan 7 | SE-21616 Limhamn | Sweden | +46 40 6548800 | primare.net
Connectivity
• Digital – USB-A
o Sample rates up to PCM 24/192kHz and DSD 128/5.6mHz
o File formats: WAV, LPCM, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, MP4 (AAC), WMA,
OGG, DSD
• Network
• Wired/LAN – two Ethernet connection ports allow Prisma to act as network
switch for flexible wired network system connection options
• Wireless/WLAN – dual band wireless technology (WLAN IEEE 802.11
a/b/g/n and 802.11ac compliant)
• Streaming
• Bluetooth – connects Apple, Android, and Windows devices directly for
playback of either streamed or stored content from the associated device with
lossy compression. Given the wide availability of this technology and lower
resolution capabilities, Bluetooth is an easy way to stream content for informal
listening.
• AirPlay – connects Apple devices over the WiFi network for playback of
either streamed or stored content from the associated device with lossless
compression. As a result, AirPlay has the capability of playing over greater
distances than Bluetooth, and as the Apple Lossless Audio Codec is used to
allow streaming quality up to CD quality (44.1kHz), is appropriate for more
critical listening.
• Spotify Connect – connects any device with the Spotify application over the
WiFi network directly to that service, and allows for playback at the highest
level offered by the required Premium service (up to 320 kbps).
• Chromecast built-in – offering the greatest level of connectivity and control
options:
• The Chromecast built-in associated Google Home application connects the
Prisma device to your WiFi network for casting hundreds of enabled music
streaming services.
• Because it provides a direct connection between the I35 Prisma and the
preferred music service through the network, playback quality is limited
only by the quality of resolution provided by that service, meaning the
possibility of higher resolution playback from services like TIDAL HiFi and
Qobuz (up to 24-bit/96kHz).
• More than one device can be connected at a time, content can be cast to
any Chromecast built-in device on the network, and control of all functions
can be accomplished from anywhere within the network.
• Automatic Prisma firmware updating through Google Home application.
• Voice control though the Google Home speaker and Google Assistant is
anticipated as that system becomes readily available.
For more on Prisma see “Design Brief – Prisma”
Limstensgatan 7 | SE-21616 Limhamn | Sweden | +46 40 6548800 | primare.net
I15 Prisma Specifications
Amplification
Amplifier technology: Hypex UcD102
Output Power: 2x 60W at 8Ω; 2x 100W at 4Ω
Analogue Inputs:
• 1 pair RCA (L & R)
• 1 3.5mm stereo jack
Input Impedance: RCA 9.5 kΩ
Pre Out: 1 pair RCA (L & R)
Output Impedance: 150Ω
Gain:
• Pre out 16.5 dB
• Speaker out 42.5 dB
Frequency Response:
• Analog: 20Hz – 20kHz -0,5dB
• Digital:
o 44.1kHz 20Hz – 20kHz +0.1/-0,6dB
o 96kHz 20Hz – 20kHz +0.1 /-0,2dB
o 192kHz 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
THD + N: < 0.05%, 20Hz – 20kHz, 10W at 8Ω
Signal to Noise:
• >90 dB digital
• >80 dB analog
Limstensgatan 7 | SE-21616 Limhamn | Sweden | +46 40 6548800 | primare.net
DAC
Chip set: AKM AK4490
Digital Inputs
• 3 x Optical/TOSLINK 192 kHz
• 1x 3.55mm mini-plug: 192 kHz
• 1 x SPDIF/RCA: 192 kHz
• 1 x USB-B: up to 384 kHz/24 bit; DSD 5.6/128
Digital Output: 1 x RCA
• Analog input = 48 kHz out
• Digital input = pass through
Prisma
Audio formats: WAV, LPCM, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, MP4 (AAC), WMA, OGG, DSD
WLAN: IEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant; 2.4/5gHz; b, g, n mode
Wired Inputs:
• USB-A: 192 kHz/24 bit; DSD 64/128
• 2 x LAN: 192 kHz/24 bit; DSD 64/128
• WLAN: 192 kHz/24 bit; DSD 64/128
Wireless Inputs:
• Airplay®
• Bluetooth®
• Chromecast built-in®
• Spotify Connect®
General
Control
• C25 system remote control
• RS232 – Control 4
• IR in/out
• Trigger out
Power Consumption:
• Standby: <0.5W
• Operate: <25W
Dimensions (wxdxh):
• 350 x 329 x 73 mm with knobs and connectors
• 350 x 310 x 73 mm without knobs and connectors
Weight: 6.4 kg
Color Options: Black and Titanium