AP's AG52 Offers Fast Rise Time Square Waves, Lower Noise Floor, Higher Output and DIM Testing

Audio Precision, the recognized standard in audio test and measurement, released the AG52 analog generator option, a new hardware option for the APx Series of audio analyzers. Support for this new option is part of the larger APx v2.4 software release. With the new AG52 generator option, the APx can generate exceptionally clean square waves with a rise time better than two microseconds. The AG52 can also generate all of the popular DIM test signals to complement a corresponding new DIM distortion measurement capability in the software, all highly desirable for power amp test and measurement.Using special circuit techniques, the AG52 does not suffer from the ringing and rise time issues facing converter-based audio analyzers. Other benefits of the dedicated hardware include a 2 dB improvement in THD+N (to -110 dB typical) and an increase in maximum output level from 21.21Vrms to 26.66 Vrms (balanced). "Measuring square wave response and DIM are good examples where it takes analog to know analog," says Bruce Hofer, Chairman and co-founder of Audio Precision. "This new square wave generator is the best in the audio industry, and I'm confident amp designers will appreciate the convenience of not having to reach for their function generator all the time."

Other new features in APx500 software v2.4 include digital audio protocol analysis, acoustic response measurements, new HDMI and Dolby/dts support, auxiliary control I/O for production test, as well as richer graphing, reporting and signal monitor options.

The AG52 is supported by the two channel models of APx: APx520, 521, 525 and 526. The option is available now and costs $1000 in a new unit in the USA. For a limited time, the upgrade price for existing units is also $1000. The new APx500 v2.4 software will ship as standard with all new instruments and is available as a free update for current customers.