Description
Advance Paris WTX-Tubes Bluetooth Receiver
The Advance Paris WTX-Tubes Bluetooth Receiver is built around a metal chassis that is 13 cm wide, 4.2 cm high and 11 cm deep. It is relatively compact, making it easy to slip into a cabinet, next to a hi-fi amplifier, or directly on top of it.
It is an elegant receiver with a view to admire the glowing red tubes. The front of the device is lined with a tinted plexiglass panel that reveals the two tubes on the right, hidden behind a window cut into the metal frame. The quality of the assembly is good and the metal chassis is an exception in the world of Bluetooth receivers where plastic is often used.
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Features
Bluetooth 5.0
Inside its small chassis, the Advance Paris WTX-Tubes Bluetooth receiver optimizes space with components sorted and selected for their performance. The heart of its architecture is a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver from Qualcomm. This chip supports SBC and AAC codecs to ensure optimal compatibility with any source – smartphone, tablet, computer, etc. – but is also compatible with Bluetooth aptX and aptX HD. With these, the transmission rate can reach up to 576 Kbits in 24-bit/48kHz and offer a listening quality close to that of audio CDs. For this, however, it is necessary that the source is also compatible with Bluetooth aptX and/or aptX HD, without which the resolution is lower. Fortunately, the majority of smartphones, tablets and Android DAPs are now compatible with these two codecs. Unfortunately, there is no support for LDAC and LHDC, which would have allowed even more precise sound up to 24-bit/92kHz.
24-bit/192kHz DAC
The Advance Paris WTX-Tubes receiver’s Qualcomm Bluetooth controller delivers the digital audio signals to a tri-core processor, a combination of a 32-bit dual-core processor and a 120 MHz single-core processor. Its role is to ensure the correct timing of the data in order to optimize the precision of the information received by the DAC and to limit jitter. The power of this dual processor provides a smoother and more faithful sound. This section is connected to a Wolfson WM8740 DAC responsible for the conversion of digital signals into analog signals via a I²S bus. This DAC is 24-bit/192kHz compatible in order to precisely convert Bluetooth streams.
Raytheon 5730 tubes
With the Advance Paris WTX-Tubes receiver, the French brand wants to give Bluetooth streaming a warmer and more analog-like sound. This intention is embodied in the pure class A output stage, whose main feature is a pair of Raytheon 5730W military-grade vacuum tubes. The latter are subminiature models, meaning they have a more compact format than standard tubes, as the Advance Paris WTX-Tubes receiver does not need the same level of power as an amplifier or a pre-amp. However, the operating principle remains unchanged and the same advantages can be enjoyed: a warmer, softer and more natural sound. These tubes are held in place by two insulating supports to avoid any microphonic effects (amplification of vibrations and interference) and to improve cooling.
However, the use of vacuum tubes means that the Advance Paris WTX-Tubes receiver gives off a lot of heat, right from the first few minutes of use. Therefore, it is necessary not to obstruct the upper panel so that the device’s passive ventilation can work properly.
Connectors
The rear panel of the Advance Paris WTX-Tubes Bluetooth receiver integrates the connectors, which include an analog stereo RCA output to facilitate its association with any amplifier or hi-fi system. Thanks to its two digital outputs – one optical and one coaxial – it is possible to associate the Advance WTX-Tubes with an external DAC or a DAC amplifier in order to assign the signal conversion to the chip of your choice. Finally, a screw connector allows you to attach the removable and rotatable antenna to optimize the reception and to extend the range up to approximately 10 meters.
Specifications
Solution : QCC / Wolfson / Raytheon
BT : 5.0
Codec : aptX, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
DAC : WM8740 24-Bit/192kHz, Dynamic range 117dB, Low clock jitter
Tubes : 2 x Raytheon 5703
Tri-core processing : DualCore 32-Bit, SingleCore 120Mhz
Dimensions : 130 x 110 x42mm W/D/H
