Helix DSP ULTRA S – reference-class 12-channel digital sound processor
The HELIX DSP ULTRA S is a reference-level digital sound processor made in Germany. It refines the performance of its predecessor and processes 8 input channels, 8 virtual channels and 12 output channels at 96 kHz, giving an audio bandwidth above 40 kHz – a processor for ambitious multi-channel systems.
A newly designed, low-distortion signal path uses AKM Velvet Sound 32-bit A/D and D/A converters and new TI/Burr-Brown OPA-series op-amps with SoundPlus technology, while a revised analog input stage improves resistance to interference. TwinDSP Power, the 32-bit ACO coprocessor, Virtual Channel Processing, TuneEQ, the ADEP.3 circuit, a HEC slot and the Smart Control Port complete the feature set in a compact, plain housing that is easy to install.
Key Features
- TwinDSP Power: two 64-bit fixed-point Analog Devices audio DSPs with 2.4 billion MAC operations per second for 8 input, 8 virtual and 12 output channels.
- High-end converters: AKM Velvet Sound 32-bit A/D and D/A converters.
- Optimised analog stages: low-distortion signal path, TI/Burr-Brown OPA-series op-amps with SoundPlus technology and refined analog inputs for better noise immunity.
- ADEP.3 highlevel input: smart 8-channel highlevel input for connection to factory radios.
- ACO 32-bit coprocessor: handles control tasks, faster communication with DSP PC-Tool and switching between up to ten sound setups; provides ISA, Input EQ, DLC, RTC, TuneEQ and SFX sound effects.
- Virtual Channel Processing (VCP): multi-stage routing for highly complex configurations with many mixed and split signals; RealCenter and Augmented Bass Processing can be freely assigned to channels.
- Time alignment: up to 20 ms delay per channel plus reverse time alignment for in-phase summation of inputs.
- Flexible routing: freely definable signal routing with separate matrices for line, S/PDIF and HEC/AUX.
- HEC slot: for add-ons such as Bluetooth HD audio streaming and high-resolution USB audio streaming.
- Wide input sensitivity: continuously adjustable, up to 32 V on highlevel and up to 8 V on RCA inputs.
- Start-stop capability: operation down to 6 V supply voltage.
- Ground lift switch: to prevent ground loops.
Inputs & Outputs
- Inputs: 8 x RCA/Cinch (sensitivity 1–8 V)
- Inputs: 8 x highlevel speaker input (sensitivity 4–32 V) with ADEP.3
- Inputs: 1 x optical S/PDIF (12–96 kHz) and 1 x coaxial S/PDIF (12–192 kHz)
- Inputs: 1 x remote in
- 1 x HEC slot
- Outputs: 12 x RCA/Cinch with max. 8 V output voltage
- Outputs: 1 x remote out (max. 500 mA)
- Smart Control Port (SCP) for remote controls and accessories
DSP & Sound Tuning
- Two 64-bit audio signal processors, 2 x 295 MHz, 2.4 billion MAC operations per second
- Sampling rate 96 kHz, frequency response 10 Hz – 44,000 Hz
- Input, virtual and output equalisers; TuneEQ automatically adjusts them – one measurement per channel or channel pair (e.g. with the MTK1 microphone) sets centre frequency, Q-factor and gain of the parametric EQ to a chosen reference curve
- ISA (Input Signal Analyzer) and channel-separated Input EQ to compensate factory radios with their own sound setup
- DLC (Dynamic Loudness Control) and RTC (Remote Tone Control) for volume-dependent adjustment of highs and lows
- RealCenter: centre signal extracted from content common to the front left and right channels; silent when only one channel carries signal
- Augmented Bass Processing: Dynamic Bass Enhancement and optional SubXpander (subharmonics between 50 and 100 Hz)
- Time alignment up to 20 ms per channel, plus reverse time alignment
- Up to ten sound setups
- Configuration with DSP PC-Tool 5
Installation & Connectivity Notes
- Operating voltage 9.6–17 V; max. 5 seconds down to 6 V (start-stop capable)
- Smart Control Port (SCP) for connecting remote controls and accessories
- Accessories listed by the manufacturer for this model: DIRECTOR CREATE, CONDUCTOR, URC.1, DIRECTOR display remote control, HEC HD-Audio USB Interface, HEC BT HD, HEC ANALOG IN and BT HD STREAMER
- Ground lift switch and auto remote switch
- Operating temperature range -40 °C to +70 °C
Technical Specifications
| Inputs | 8 x RCA / Cinch 8 x Highlevel speaker input 1 x Optical SPDIF (12 – 96 kHz) 1 x Coax SPDIF (12 – 192 kHz) 1 x Remote In |
| Input sensitivity | RCA / Cinch 1 – 8 Volts Highlevel 4 – 32 Volts |
| Outputs | 12 x RCA / Cinch 1 x Remote Out |
| Output voltage | 8 Volts |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz – 44,000 Hz |
| DSP resolution | 64 Bit |
| DSP power | 2 x 295 MHz (2.4 billion MAC operations/second) |
| Sampling rate | 96 kHz |
| DSP type | 2 x Audio signal processor |
| Signal converters | A/D: Asahi Kasei 32 Bit D/A: Asahi Kasei 32 Bit |
| Signal-to-noise ratio digital input | 117 dB (A-weighted) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio analog input | 111 dB (A-weighted) |
| Total harmonic distortion (THD+N) digital input | < 0.0004 % |
| Total harmonic distortion (THD+N) analog input | < 0.0008 % |
| IM distortion (IMD) digital input | < 0.0015 % |
| IM distortion (IMD) analog input | < 0.003 % |
| Crosstalk | > 90 dB |
| Operating voltage | 9.6 – 17 Volts (max. 5 sec. down to 6 Volts) |
| Power rating | DC 12 V ⎓ 1.1 A max. |
| Current draw | 550 mA |
| Max. remote output current | 500 mA |
| Operating temperature range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
| Additional features | HEC slot, Ground lift switch, Smart Control Port, 32 Bit CoProcessor, ADEP.3 circuit, Auto Remote switch |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40 x 177 x 170 mm / 1.58 x 6.97 x 6.69“ |
Scope of Delivery
1 x Signal processor HELIX DSP ULTRA S
1 x USB cable
1 x Mounting material
1 x Instruction manual
