Helix – Ubiquitous Reference Standard Car Audio
Since its conception in 1990 Audiotec Fischer has evolved from a niche supplier to an internationally recognised leader in innovative audio products. A DIN ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company, it now delivers its award-winning brands Brax, Helix and Match to more than fifty countries worldwide. To Audiotec Fischer the label "Made in Germany" has always been more than just a designation of origin; it's a promise of quality that everyone at the Schmallenberg site remains committed to. Audiotec Fischer has more than thirty years of experience in the development and manufacture of high-end car and home audio products. From the initial brief through to the finished product; all components are assembled in-house with the sole aim of reproducing acoustic signals as authentically as possible whilst optimizing the sound experience ever further.

Processor Series – The Passion For Perfected Sound
It’s not the components, it’s the environment. Fundamental car audio components are often unfairly blamed for poor aural performance, despite the blame laying elsewhere. See whether you have OEM or enormously expensive speakers your windscreen still reflects, your right leg still absorbs the midrange and you’re still sitting to one side with a whole instrument cluster before you. It’s for this reason that all vehicles require a sound processor. These devices can rectify all negative cabin phenomenon and make even the most rudimentary components sound amazing.

However a questionable quality processor is conducive to headaches aplenty, that’s why you need a Helix device. Helix processors are renown around the globe for being amongst the best processors in history. Trickling technology down through its various processors means even its entry level processor far outperforms all other comers. Whether you’re planning a budget system or one only the Royal Family could afford; Helix has you well covered when it comes to processing it to perfection.

Design Ideologies
With it’s advanced technology and proven excellence, the DSP ULTRA S once again defines the benchmark for digital sound processors. Targeted optimisations enhance the already outstanding performance of its predecessor for a sound experience that exceeds even the highest expectations. Audiophile precision and innovative engineering combined in one device, and of course completely made in Germany.

Audio Performance Par Excellence
The DSP ULTRA S adheres to the highest standards in audio performance. A newly designed audio signal path reduces the distortion factor to a minimum. At its heart are the renowned AKM Velvet Sound™ 32 Bit AD and DA signal converters and new high-quality operational amplifiers from the legendary TI / BurrBrown OPA series. These feature SoundPlus™ technology, thus assuring the highest sound quality. With the completely revised analog input stage, the DSP ULTRA S achieves optimum interference immunity. This enables unsurpassed clarity and detail without external influences, even under the most demanding conditions.

Twin DSP Power
Computing power can only be replaced by even more computing power, which is precisely why the DSP ULTRA S is equipped with two of the most powerful 64 Bit audio signal processors currently available from Analog Devices. With incredible 2.4 billion MAC operations per second, the immense number of internal channels in conjunction with the highest quality sound processing is not even the slightest problem. Therefore the DSP ULTRA S comes with eight separately processable input channels, eight processable virtual channels and twelve processable output channels as well as numerous new sound features. All this at a sampling rate of 96 kHz, resulting in an audio bandwidth of over 40 kHz.

Design Features
The Helix engineering department is at the forefront of research pertaining to every aspect of digital sound processing. It’s developed proprietary analysis systems and invested heavily in state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing. The resulting range of products has become widely considered as reference standard, as this ingenious company continues to push the technology envelope further. Let’s take a closer look at some of this tech.

Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor Platform
Rapid processing power isn’t only required within the signal path. The particularly powerful 32 Bit ACO platform handles all control tasks and provides the decisive speed boost, especially in data communication with the DSP PC-Tool software. It also performs lightning fast switching between up to ten possible sound setups. But ACO offers much more, including fantastic sound effects such as Augmented Bass Processing or RealCenter, dynamic processing such as Dynamic Loudness Control (DLC) or Remote Tone Control (RTC). This in addition to a channel-separated input EQ including Input Signal Analyzer (ISA) for easy analysis and compensation of input signals from OE radios already containing a sound setup.

Virtual Channel Processing & Modern Signal Routing
During adaptation to modern OEM sound systems via an increasing number of inputs has a significant impact on the complexity of the signal routing inside the amplifier. Especially when several input signals are mixed together and then split again into multi-way systems, conventional routing concepts quickly reach their limits. Audiotec Fischer’s new multi-stage Virtual Channel Processing, in conjunction with the recognized user-friendly DSP PC-Tool software makes it easy to realize even highly complex system configurations. It also allows to freely assign the proprietary FX sound features such as RealCenter or Augmented Bass Processing.

Absolute Connectivity
Thanks to the HEC slot the DSP ULTRA S is highly configurable, whilst the SCP (Smart Control Port) guarantees the optional connection of accessories with integrated power supply as well as special operational reliability. These upgrades allow for even more flexible customisation and expansion of your sound system to meet the individual needs and desires of every audiophile. For easy adaptation to existing factory radios or multi-channel OEM sound systems, the DSP ULTRA S is not only equipped with the latest generation ADEP.3 circuit but also has a particularly wide adjustment range for the input sensitivity. The enormous adjustment range of 1 – 8 Volts (Cinch / RCA) or 4 – 32 Volts (high-level) enables problem-free adaptation to almost any conceivable analog signal source, even with powerful OEM amplifiers.

Elegant, Smart And Compact
Despite its vast range of functions, the DSP ULTRA S inspires with its straightforward and timeless design that is still compact and ideal for a simple installation. The sum of its characteristics makes the DSP ULTRA S the perfect tool for the uncompromising audiophile music lover.

PC-Tool 5 Featuring TuneEQ
The user software offers powerful features to achieve the ultimate sound experiences. The DSP ULTRA S can be easily configured via the latest version of the professional and exceptionally intuitive DSP PC-Tool 5 software. The numerous setting options with their extensive sound processing functions leave nothing to be desired, guaranteeing an extremely precise sound adjustment even under the most austere conditions.

As If That Wasn’t Enough
Now we’ve cover some of the abilities in detail let’s just have a quick recap before we move into some of the software abilities:
– TwinDSP Power – two extremely powerful fixed point audio DSPs with 64 Bit resolution and 2.4 billion MAC operations per second for an extensive sound customization of all processed channels including eight input channels, eight virtual channels and twelve output channels.
– Cutting-edge audio signal path for minimized distortion and unparalleled sound quality.
– AKM Velvet Sound™ 32 Bit AD and DA signal converters.
– Highest quality operational amplifiers from the TI / BurrBrown “OPA series” with SoundPlusTM technology.
– Refined design of the analog inputs for outstanding noise immunity.
– Smart 8-channel high level input with ADEP.3 circuit.
– ACO – Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor platform for extended feature set which includes ISA (Input Signal Analyzer) and InputEQ for easy analysis and compensation of input signals.
– DLC (Dynamic Loudness Control) and RTC (Remote Tone Control) for volume-dependent dynamic adjustment of highs and lows.
– Proprietary TuneEQ function for automated adjustment of the input, virtual and output equalizers.
– SFX (DSP Sound Effects) – Augmented Bass Processing, RealCenter & Co.
– Virtual channel processing allows even more flexible configuration for highly complex sound systems.
– HEC slot for system add-ons like Bluetooth® HD audio streaming, high resolution audio streaming via USB etc.
– Start-stop capability down to 6 V supply voltage.
– Ground lift switch to avoid ground loops.
– Continuous adjustment of the input sensitivity (high level up to maximum of 32 Volts, RCA / Cinch up to maximum 8 Volts).
– Compact and future-proof SCP (Smart Control Port) for connecting remote controls and accessories.
– Time alignment with up to 20 ms delay time per channel, additionally reverse time alignment for in-phase summation of the inputs.
– Freely definable signal routing with separate matrices for line, SPDIF and HEC/AUX.
– Inputs include 8 x RCA / Cinch, 8 x High level, 1 x optical SPDIF and 1 x coaxial SPDIF.
– Outputs include 12 x RCA / Cinch with maximum 8 Volts output voltage.
– Easiest configuration via the intuitive DSP PC-Tool 5 software.

DSP Features Explained
All Helix digital sound processors posse and extraordinary amount of technology. With said technology comes terms and acronyms aplenty. We’ll explain some of them below thenceforth.

TuneEQ
TuneEQ is an extremely flexible and particularly easy-to-use function for automated frequency response correction. A single measurement per audio channel or channel pair with a suitable measurement microphone such as the MTK1 is sufficient for TuneEQ to independently and precisely adjust the equalizers to the desired reference curve. TuneEQ uses the full function set of the parametric equalizer including center frequency, Q-factor and gain adjustment. And since the highly complex arithmetic operations required for this run in the background, you also save a lot of time when optimizing your sound with TuneEQ.

RealCenter
The RealCenter feature is an algorithm developed by Audiotec Fischer that emphasizes the music information which is present in both the left and right front channel to create an unique centre signal. In contrast to common procedures, in which only the channels are summed up; the intensity of the centre signal is also dynamically controlled by the stereophonic informational content of the left and right channel.

Sounds complicated but this effect is astonishing: That means if solely the left or right channel delivers an audio signal, the centre channel will not reproduce a signal. In the case of common algorithms the volume level of the centre channel is only reduced by 6 dB. Audiotec Fischer’s RealCenter allows a unique, broadened sound staging for both driver and co-driver at the same time! Therefore, the disadvantages of a conventional center channel such as an intrusive, small sound stage, are things of the past.

Augmented Bass Processing
Audiotec Fischer’s proprietary augmented bass processing consists of the two revolutionary sound features called Dynamic Bass Enhancement and SubXpander. These have been especially developed to dramatically improve the bass reproduction of subwoofers. The dynamic bass enhancement ingeniously combines maximum deep bass and highest sound pressure regardless of the music style or the tone controls in the head unit. Depending on the input signal, the dynamic bass enhancement gains the lower frequency range and varies the cut-off frequency of the subsonic filter. The result is a significantly more powerful and deeper bass response at low and medium volume levels without the risk of overloading the subwoofer neither mechanically nor electrically at high volume levels. It is simply fascinating how much subbass performance is suddenly possible.

If you want an even lower and darker bass reproduction, the SubXpander can be additionally activated. In doing this, subharmonic tones are added to the fundamental tones in the frequency range between 50 and 100 Hz.

Electrical Specifications
– Nominal configuration: twelve channel digital sound processor
– Frequency response: 10 Hz – 44000 Hz
– Total harmonic distortion: 0.0008 %
– Signal-to-noise ratio: 111 dB

Physical Specifications
– Length: 177 mm
– Width: 170 mm
– Height: 40 mm
– Weight: 1.15 kg

Documentation
– Car & Hifi International review
– Software download
– User manual

Important Disclaimers
Given the dynamic nature of electronics industries these days; below are listed some very important specifics you need to be aware of.

Brand Authorization And Stock Sourcing
We are a fully authorised Australian dealer of this brand and all stock is sourced through legitimate channels. It therefore enjoys full Australian warranty, backing and support.

Pricing Structure
Whilst we endeavor to offer the best price possible, we ask that if you do find a better price elsewhere from an authorised dealer; please contact us. Also be aware that we regularly conduct group buys and sales, therefore pricing can sometimes be subject to change without notice.

Stock Structure
Being a dynamic store is conducive to our inventory constantly changing. We list only a small portion of our stable online, usually products most popular. Aside from these we also stock numerous other variants and configurations of these products, hence if you don’t see what you’re after please contact us.

Shipping
All our products are shipped with registered and insured postage. Upon ordering you’ll be issued with a receipt, a consignment note via which you can track your order, and we’ll also SMS you photos of the package for identification purposes.

Technical support
This last one we cannot emphasise enough! Please contact us if you require any further information or assistance with the setup and use of this product, especially pertaining to aspects more technical. As we want you to get the very best from this product.