![]() Any version can be outfitted with a Canare 75-ohm BNC connector for $20 or a NextGen copper RCA output jack for $60. It comes in three different versions, the $699 standard, the $999 Superclock 4, and the $1499 Ultraclock. The Empirical Off-Ramp 3 is such a product-USB goes in and all the legacy digital formats come out.Īlthough Empirical Audio has been offering the Off-Ramp for only three years, it is already on the third iteration, hence the name Off-Ramp 3. The big question is whether such a small company can really make products that compete successfully with the market-leaders.įor audiophiles who’ve already assembled a great conventional stereo system, computer audio presents a major conundrum-should they replace their current DAC, which does not support either USB or FireWire digital inputs, with one that does? Recently several companies have introduced “bridge products” that allow audiophiles to keep their current DACs by supplying a pathway from the computer-only digital formats of USB and FireWire to more universal digital audio formats such as S/PDIF, AES/ EBU, TosLink, and I2S. Empirical has garnered a reputation as one of the leaders in high-end computer-based audio with its products being compared to much larger and more established companies such as Weiss, Benchmark, and Bel Canto. In 2005 Empirical began offering computer digital products including the Off-Ramp and Pace Car Re-clocker, which were so well received that by 2009 Empirical discontinued all modification services and focused entirely on manufacturing. According to Nugent, reverse-engineering “was a learning experience for us, providing us with a lot of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ as well as giving us the opportunity to experiment with a lot of different capacitors to determine which sound best.” In 2002 Empirical began modifying electronics. His first products were primarily cables. Steve Nugent, Empirical’s owner, designer, and chief bottle-washer, started the firm in 1996. The design goal for all Empirical products is, “to create products that are affordable, and yet push the envelope of performance.” We will look at two of Empirical’s offerings. Empirical products can be used alone or in combination with each other. ![]() Its current offerings include the Off-Ramp 3, which converts USB audio into S/PDIF, AES/EBU, or I2S signals, the Pace Car 2 Re-clocker, which de-jitters and re-clocks S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital signals, and the Overdrive USB DAC, which converts digital audio signals into analog audio. This burgeoning field has made it possible for a new generation of technologically nimble companies to surge to the forefront of the audio industry.Įmpirical Audio is one of this cadre of small manufacturers dedicated to producing state-of-the-art computer-audio products. Audiophiles have discovered that using their computer for music is the most cost-effective and sonically superior way to access, distribute, and enjoy their digital music files. Computer audio has changed during the last several years from something that concerned only recording engineers to the most exciting sector of the high-end-audio market.
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