Helix DSP MINI
Digital High-Res 6-channel signal processor with 96 kHz / 24 Bit signal path
$550
Small in size, huge in sound!
High tech in compact dimensions – despite its size, the HELIX DSP MINI is crammed with state-of-the-art technology. A 64 Bit Audio DSP of the latest generation in combination with a sampling rate of 96 kHz and a High Resolution audio bandwidth up to more than 40 kHz provides phenomenal sound quality. In addition, the DSP MINI offers unique DSP sound features like the ”Augmented Bass Processing”, the “StageXpander” or the “RealCenter“ function which open new possibilities to tweak your audio system.
But not only in terms of sound quality the DSP MINI heralds a new era in signal processor technology. An extraordinary powerful 32 Bit CoProcessor (ACO) for all monitoring tasks provides a decisive speed increase particularly in data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software, but also when switching between different sound setups. Furthermore, it supplies 10 internal memory locations for sound setups instead of the usual two.
As if that weren't enough – the highlevel input with ADEP.3 circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection, 3rd Generation), the Auto Remote switch, an optical input as well as the HELIX Extension Card slot (HEC slot) for system add-ons like Bluetooth® Audio Streaming or High Resolution Audio Streaming via USB are, of course, part of the basic equipment.
The DSP MINI presents itself in the HELIX-typical, clean look - far too beautiful to hide it "somewhere" in the vehicle due to its small dimensions. Naturally, the HELIX DSP MINI can be configured as easy as usual thanks to the professional and particularly user-friendly DSP PC-Tool Software V4. Who said that size matters?
Features
Extremely powerful “fixed point” Audio DSP with 64 Bit resolution and 1.2 billion MAC operations per second
High Resolution audio bandwidth up to more than 40 kHz for unrivalled sound quality
ACO – Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor for all control and communication tasks
10 internal memory locations for sound setups
Setup switching within milliseconds
High-speed data transfer and improved usability
HELIX Extension Card slot (HEC) for system add-ons
Smart highlevel input with ADEP.3 circuit and Auto Turn-On function
Start-Stop capability down to 6V supply voltage
Unique DSP Sound Effects such as the “Augmented Bass Processing” which dynamically optimizes the bass response of the subwoofer, the “StageXpander” that significantly widens the stereo perspective, the “RealCenter” function, which allows a perfectly focussed sound staging for both driver and co-driver and much more
Freely definable signal routing with separate matrices for line, SPDIF and HEC/AUX
Optimal signal path and power supply for further improved sound quality
“Ground lift” switch to avoid ground loops
Very compact dimensions for easy integration into the vehicle
Easiest configuration via the intuitive DSP PC-Tool V4 software
Special features:
96 kHz sampling rate
The HELIX DSP MINI allows to handle all signals with the doubled sampling rate of 96 kHz. Thus the audio bandwidth is no longer limited to usual values like 22 kHz but allows an extended frequency response to more than 40 kHz. Doubling the sampling rate requires significantly higher DSP power as the number of possible arithmetic operations is halved.
Only the implementation of the latest DSP chip generation allows raising the sampling rate to 96 kHz and adding new features at the same time.
Smart highlevel input ADEP.3
Modern, factory-installed car radios incorporate sophisticated possibilities of diagnosing the connected speakers. In particular the latest generation of car radios are equipped with additional monitoring functions so that failure messages and loss of specific features (e.g. fader function) quite often appear if a signal processor will be hooked up - but not with the DSP MINI.
The new ADEP.3 circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection, 3rd Generation) avoids all these problems without loading the speaker outputs of the OE radio during high volumes unnecessarily.
ACO - Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor
The HELIX DSP MINI incorporates an extraordinary powerful 32 Bit CoProcessor of the latest generation for all monitoring and communication tasks, both internally and externally. In opposite to the 8 Bit predecessor generation this MCU achieves way higher speeds with respect to setup switching and data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software. A further significant advantage is the integrated, native boot loader of the CoProcessor. It allows software upgrades of all components of the DSP in order to adjust the microcontroller-controlled ADEP.3 circuit for example at future modifications / changes in the diagnostic system of factory radios or if the device will be extended with additional interfaces. In addition, thanks to the new flash memory, the ACO offers 10 memory locations for sound setups instead of the common two.
Start-Stop capability
The switched power supply of the HELIX DSP MINI assures a constant internal supply voltage even if the battery’s voltage drops to 6 Volts during engine crank.
Power Save Mode
The Power Save Mode is incorporated in the basic setup. It allows to significantly reduce the power consumption of the amplifiers that are connected to the HELIX DSP MINI once there’s no input signal present for more than 60 seconds. Please note that in many up-to-date cars with “CAN” or any other internal bus structures it may happen that the radio remains “invisibly” turned on for up to 45 min. even after locking and leaving the car! Once the “Power Save Mode“ is active the remote output and therefore the connected amplifiers will be turned off. The HELIX DSP MINI will reactivate the remote output within a second if a music signal is applied. It is possible to either modify the turn-off time of 60 sec. or completely deactivate the “Power Save Mode” via the DSP PC-Tool software.
Automatic Digital Signal Detection
Switching from analog input to the digital input is done automatically as soon as a signal is detected on the Optical Input. This feature can be deactivated in the DSP PC-Tool software. Alternatively you can use an optional remote control for manual switching between analog and digital inputs.
