3
Details, similarities, differences.
The most obvious external difference between the Ikemi and Genki
is the CD loading slot. The slim aluminium drawer of the Ikemi is
the only visible part of the CD mechanism. Inside is a precision
machined and very ingenious CD loading mechanism. Its
‘mechatronic’ design is built up from a rigid circuit board which
contains the CD servo and decoding circuitry, the mechanism
control circuitry and software, and the motors, pulleys, belts and
optical sensors which monitor the disc loading process.
The mechanism is not only a pleasure to use but also provides
considerable vibration and environmental protection for the laser
system, increasing its immunity to external disturbances.
The digital audio signals from this ‘CD engine’ are connected
through very short links to the ‘audio module’ which contains our
‘2D’ digital signal processing algorithm, the D/A convertors, the
master clock, filters, output circuitry and power supply regulators.
This uses (as do all our products) high density surface mount
circuitry to keep the signal paths short and direct, giving a very
electrically quiet product with high immunity to external electrical
disturbances. The Ikemi has both single ended and balanced audio
outputs, making it easy to connect to any high performance control
amplifier. The balanced output, unlike many others, uses a very low
noise circuit topology allowing maximum signal transfer from the
Ikemi.
The Genki uses a simple, reliable and robust CD mechanism, which
though lacking the refinement of the Ikemi mechanism has exactly