Core Sound — Mic2496 V2

(Last updated 03/24/2008)

Channels: 2
Word width: 24-bits
Sample rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, 96, 128, 176.4 and 192 KS/s, via external switches
Level controls: dual concentric for continuously variable gain, slide switch for fixed 53 and 60 dB
Gain: 4 to 60 dB (nominal), three switch positions: variable (4 to 47), 53 dB, 60 dB
Input level for 0 dBFS: 1.87 Vp-p (660 mVRMS)
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 40 KHz (+/- .2 dB), 30 Hz to 40 KHz (+/- .1 dB), -3 dB at 6 Hz, 6 Hz to greater than 80 KHz @ 192 KS/s sampling rate
Noise floor: -140 (Ref: 0 dBFS, 20 Hz to 40 KHz, typical)
Input impedance: 2 KOhm (nominal)
Separation: greater than 95 dB @ 1 KHz
THD: less than .001% (typical)
Phantom power: switchable P48V (maximum current available: 20 mA total, 10 mA per channel); 9 Volt (for Core Sound HEB microphone set), or none -- via internal jumpers
Input: 5-pin mini-XLR jack (mates with Switchcraft TA5F); breakout cables available with two XLR-F, 1/8" stereo mini-jack or two Micro-Dot females (others available as custom orders)
Outputs: coaxial (RCA jack), optical (Toslink)
Output data format: S/PDIF
Output level: S/PDIF standard
LED Indicators: six level indicator LEDs per channel: Activity (-30 dB nominal), -20, -10, -6, -3, -0.25 dB; Level LEDs On/Off; battery voltage status LED (modes for good battery, medium battery, low battery, replace now); P48V Phantom Power On
Power:
- Internal: 7.4 Volt protected Lithium-Polymer pack using two protected 15400-series AA-sized rechargeable batteries (user replaceable), or 9 Volt alkaline "transistor radio" battery (Type 1604)
- External: 9 to 14 Volts DC @ 180 mA minimum (400 mA recommended) via 5.0/2.1 mm DC power jack (center pin positive)
Operating time: more than 5 hours (typical, P48V off) using LiPO pack, 2 hours using 9 Volt alkaline battery
Current consumption: 110mA (P48V off), 145mA (P48V on, typical)
Dimensions: 5-1/8" L x 3" W x 1-1/2" H
Weight: 9.75 ounces (278 grams)

Here's a plot that shows the noise performance of the Mic2496 with a 1.0 KHz signal (65 mVRMS) at its input, sampled at 24-bits/48 KiloSamples per second, with minimum (+4 dB) analog gain (FFT size: 32K):

The noise floor in this graph is typically -138 dB, more than 115 dB below the signal -- very fine performance for a low-power portable, and is near the limit of the Audio Precision measurement instrument!

(The little bump at 60 Hz is a result of these tests being run with the V2 circuit board out of its case. Normally, that bump would not be there.)

Here is a frequency response plot with a very expanded vertical axis scale for the two mic inputs at 24-bit/48 KS/s, swept from 20 Hz to 20 KHz at 65 mV input level:

The frequency response is flat to within a tenth of a dB from 20 Hz to above 20 KHz. Again, this is very fine performance!

(In this plot, the traces for the two channels were separated by a tenth of dB in gain so that we could see them both.)

And here is a plot showing Crosstalk with the stimulus signal at -3 dBFS:

Crosstalk is more than than 95 dB down at 1 KHz, and typically more than 100 dB down.

Here is a plot that shows total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N). It shows a level of -102 or better, again excellent.