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orbit.6

orbit.6

UA-OB6-BK-230

£5,400.00 GBP
£5,400.00 GBP
Sale
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Overview

Orbit.6 is a six-channel rack-mounted rotary mixer, beautifully engineered for the discerning audiophile DJ and vinyl lover.

Orbit.6 features a per-channel valve stage, with a fully discrete internal signal path from Channel Input to Mix-Out. Equipped with four RIAA and eight Line inputs, each channel also incorporates an Aux send, High-Pass Filter and heavily damped rotary fader, while the Master section features an eq/isolator and custom VU Meters. Orbit.6 presents a unique and distinctive listening experience, with sweet clear highs, warm forward mids, and extended, driving low end, breathing life into even modest setups while maximising the potential of high-end sound systems.

Why Discrete?

A discrete circuit is one built from individual components, as opposed to an integrated circuit (IC) where all the components are etched onto a single wafer of silicon.

The basic building block of analogue electronics is the operational amplifier, or op-amp; a device with a differential input and a single output. Commercial op-amp ICs are complex, containing many transistors, resistors and capacitors to ensure stable, repeatable and consistent operation in a wide range of different circuit topologies, many of which will not be audio related. A typical mixer will contain dozens of these ICs that the audio signal will have to pass through on its journey from input to output. And while the added complexity might ensure good measured performance, it doesn’t necessarily translate into what sounds pleasing to the ear, as each component will have a tiny effect on the overall tonality.

A purpose made discrete audio op-amp however, only needs sufficient complexity to perform its intended function, and can therefore be designed with far fewer components.

In addition, each of these components can be individually chosen for best audio performance, rather than being limited by what can be etched onto a single wafer of silicon.

Damped Faders

The six rotary channel faders feature a custom damper, developed in-house by Union Audio.

This patent applied for damping system, gives a silky smooth, heavily weighted feel for the most precise of mix transitions, while the constant-torque makes for easy and subtle level changes, taking the rotary mixer experience to new heights. And unlike a conventional potentiometer, the damping system will not lose its feel over time.

To further enhance the mix experience, each of the 33mm classically styled fader knobs are subtly backlit for easy identification in low light conditions.

Construction

Orbit.6 is crafted using only premium-grade materials and components to ensure long life and superb sound quality.

The front panel is precision machined from 6mm 5083 Aluminium tooling plate, glass bead blasted, black anodised and white silk-screened, while the rugged steel chassis is manufactured from 1.5mm Zintec, black texture powder-coated and white silkscreened.

All connectors are either gold or silver plated, and internally high precision film capacitors are used throughout. Potentiometers are long-life metal-shaft Alps types.

Power Supply

Orbit.6 is powered by the external Hybrid Linear power supply unit (PSU) “Europa”.

Each Europa PSU is factory configured for the specific mains voltage for the location where it is used, and is available in three versions; 100VAC (JAPAN ONLY), 115VAC, and 230VAC. Please ensure you specify the correct mains voltage when placing your order for the Orbit.6

Europa has three outputs, +16V and -16V providing power for the mixer’s analogue audio circuitry, and +12V to power the valve heater elements.

The two analogue rails are fully linear and are derived via a high quality toroidal transformer, bridge rectifier, smoothing, and dual discrete regulators. These analogue power rails are extremely quiet with a typical wide-band output noise level of <-85dBu at the rated output of 1amp.

The analogue power rails are fully protected against short circuit and overvoltage, and each rail has its own visual status indicator; Green for good, flashing Amber for overheat warning, or flashing Red in the event of a shutdown.

The 12 volts for the valve heaters is derived from a compact switched mode power supply module, ensuring high efficiency and maximum reliability.

The orbit.6 is designed by Andy Rigby-Jones and built by Union Audio in Cornwall UK.

Technical Specifications

Distortion and Noise

THD+N un-weighted (0dBu, 20Hz to 20kHz, Line In to Mix Out +4dBu) 0.008%

Frequency Response

Line in to Mix Out +/-1dB 10Hz to 120kHz
RIAA Accuracy +/-0.2dB 20Hz to 20kHz

Shutoff and Crosstalk

Fader Shutoff > -85dB
L/R Crosstalk Line in to Mix Out 1kHz <-80dB

Noise (22Hz to 22kHz Un-Weighted)

Residual Mix Output Noise <-102dBu
Line In to Mix Out Unity <-89dBu
Maximum Output Level Mix Out (0.5% THD) +26dBu
Dynamic Range 115dB

EQ and Filter Frequency

Channel High-Pass Filter Fully Clockwise -3dB/1100Hz
Isolator Crossover Frequencies 320Hz and 3800Hz
Booth EQ -3dB/100Hz and 5000Hz

Headphone Amplifier

Maximum Output Level 1W RMS into 40ohms

Valves

Valves Six High Quality ECC82 (12AU7) Dual Triodes
Dimensions

Mixer Dimensions

Front Panel 482.5mm x 176mm (4U 19” Rack Mount)
Depth 170mm (6 7/10”)
Weight 6.35kg (14lb)

PSU Dimensions

Top Panel 200mm x 200mm (7 7/8” x 7 7/8”)
Depth 52mm (2”)
Weight 2.2kg (5lb)

Packed Dimensions

Size (L x W x H) 62cm x 31cm x 38cm (24.5” x 12.2” x 15”)
Weight 12.35kg (27lb)
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