Linn IKEMI & GENKI - Manual (Page 13)

5
HDCD ® .
Both the Ikemi and Genki are equipped with an HDCD ® decoder.
HDCD ® is a digital signal processing system developed by Pacific
Microsonics of California which conceals control codes into a very
small fraction of the recorded CD digital audio stream. An HDCD ®
decoder recognises these control codes and uses them to process
the digital audio to increase its dynamic range and resolution, while
leaving the original digital stream compatible with conventional CD
players. The HDCD ® process has been used successfully on many
CDs, but possibly more importantly, the digital filters in the HDCD ®
decoder, through which all signals pass, are much better than most
existing digital filters, so every CD benefits.
Digital outputs.
The Ikemi and Genki both have low jitter SPDIF digital audio
outputs on BNC sockets. The Ikemi also has an optical output
(Toslink) and an AES/EBU professional balanced low noise digital
output. Though rarely used on domestic equipment this digital
audio connection format combines the high speed and low jitter of
an electrical interface with almost as low electrical noise as an
optical connection.
We provided these digital outputs for connection to external
processors, digital recorders and for potential future external
DACs. However, as the digital and analogue audio circuitry used in
the Ikemi and Genki are so good, and with the advantage of being
in the same box as the source of the digital stream, there are
currently very few external DACs which will give an improvement in
sound quality!