WEISS MAN301 Network Reader

MAN 301 Server - Network Reader

Playing music files stored on a hard drive or streaming from the Internet has come to the audiophile's home. The MAN301 network player is a powerhouse in terms of features, versatility and sound quality. Using the professionally managed Gracenote database for metadata search and editorial cover art, the MAN301 has a major advantage over competing devices.

The MAN301 is an extremely versatile music archive manager and network player with a remote control unit for Apple® iPad and, for example, external NAS storage media. It is a system for music archiving, music library maintenance, music playback, CD ripping and playback, Internet radio streaming and more.

The latest news is:
A gold-plated version to celebrate our company's 30th anniversary.

A new D/A circuit with a discrete output stage and stellar performance.

A complete MAN301 system consists of:

• The MAN301 base station.
• An external Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, typically a hard drive or set of hard drives. This allows for virtually unlimited storage space for music files.
• An iPad device with the Weiss MAN app for remote control of the receiver.
• A device that allows you to access the Internet from your receiver to retrieve CD covers, CD metadata, or to stream music.

Main features:

Mechanics
The MAN301 uses a stainless steel chassis with a solid 10mm aluminum faceplate.

Diet
Two separate power supplies are used, one for the computer section and one for the digital and analog audio sections. The audio section power supply uses a toroidal transformer with a combination of switching regulators and linear voltage regulators. Standby power is 0.5W maximum.

Synchronization
An internal high-precision/low-jitter clock generator is responsible for clocking the audio section. The sampling rate of that generator is automatically switched based on the sampling rate of the track being played. Additionally, there are word-clock inputs and outputs on BNC connectors for external synchronization. All standard sampling rates up to 192 kHz are supported, as well as DSD64 and DSD128.

Digital inputs
Digital inputs for external audio sources: AES/EBU or S/PDIF formats on XLR, RCA, TOSLINK.

Converters
Available with DAC version of MAN301: The built-in D/A converter is similar in design to our renowned DAC202 unit. It uses four channels of D/A conversion per audio channel to achieve extremely low noise, low distortion and excellent linearity. The SERVER type of MAN301 (i.e. the version without DAC) can be upgraded (by the user) with the D/A Converter module at any time.

Analog outputs
Available with the DAC version of the MAN301: analog outputs on XLR and RCA connectors. The basic output level of these outputs can be set in four approximate steps in the analog domain. In addition, they can be fine-tuned in the digital domain. The master fader, finally, also works in the digital domain. The quality of this level control scheme is extremely high thanks to the excellent linearity of the D/A converter and the dithering applied to the digital signal.

Digital outputs
Digital outputs to external D/A converters: AES/EBU on XLR and RCA, Firewire, USB. The XLR and RCA connectors can be combined into a dual-wire output for sampling rates of 176.4 or 192 kHz.

Front Panel Controls
The power switch turns the MAN301 on or off. A three-color LED indicates the current system status. The slot-in type drive accepts CDs for ripping and/or direct playback.

Remote control
All functions of the MAN301 are controlled by an Apple® iPad® or iPad Mini. All generations of iPad are functional.

Rear panel elements from left to right

• Analogue output sockets of XLR and RCA type. The SERVER version of the MAN301 lacks XLR sockets and the RCA sockets are not connected internally. The SERVER version can be easily upgraded by the user with the D/A Converter option.
• RCA type sockets for digital inputs and outputs.
• XLR type jacks for digital inputs and outputs.
• TOSLINK type socket for digital input (optical).
• BNC type sockets for word-sync input and output.
• Ethernet, USB and two Firewire 800 sockets.
• IEC type mains socket.
• WiFi antenna socket.

External music storage
Music files are stored on an external storage device, such as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or DAS (Direct Attached Storage), such as a USB hard drive. There is no internal storage for music files. Recommendations for suitable NAS devices are provided in the MAN301 manual. You can add multiple NAS drives for unlimited storage.

Network connectivity
The Ethernet jack connects to a NAS and the local network. The WiFi (WLAN) implementation in the MAN301 simultaneously supports an Access Point (i.e. the iPad can connect directly to the MAN301 if preferred) and an Uplink (i.e. the MAN301 can connect to the local WiFi network).

Software Features
Some of the many software features of the MAN301 in a nutshell:

• Multiple MAN301 devices can be controlled from a single iPad.
• Multiple users are supported per MAN301 device, each with their own music library, playlists, searches, etc.
• All common audio file formats (uncompressed, lossless compressed, lossy compressed) are supported for playback and ripping.
• Music library displayed by album names, artist names, genres, recently played, recently added.
• A powerful search function allows you to store searches, which translate into dynamic playlists.
• Playlists are easily added, edited, and can be set securely.
• Volume control in approximate 4 analog steps and with a high-resolution dithered digital fader.
• Start, stop, jump commands.
• Single track repeat function or repeat the entire playlist.
• Powerful cover search across multiple databases including Gracenote and Google.
• Rip CDs to all common audio file formats.
• Direct CD playback without the need to eject the CD.
• Metadata from various databases, including Gracenote. (Gracenote is the most powerful database for CD metadata and cover art.)
• Complete user interface on iPad, easily manageable even for beginners.
• Software updatable via Internet.
• Streaming Internet Radio.
• Future software updates will include various signal processing facilities.

Technical specifications:

Power


• Mains voltage: 100....240 V, mains voltage is switched automatically.
• Fuse data: 4A slow blow for all mains voltages
• Power consumption: 50W max.
• Standby power consumption: 0.5 W max.

Size

• Depth: 30 cm
• Width: 45 cm
• Height: 6.6 cm
• Height including feet: 7.4 cm
• Height including feet and WiFi antenna: approx. 14cm

Available color

• Silver, Black

Digital inputs

• XLR connector
• RCA connector
• TOSLINK connector (optical)
• Firewire 800 Connectors
• All inputs accept AES/EBU or S/PDIF signals.
• Sampling rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz on any input except TOSLINK input: 96 kHz maximum
• Maximum input string length: 24 bits

Digital outputs

• XLR connector
• RCA connector
• Firewire 800 Connectors
• USB connector
• Professional channel status data on XLR and RCA outputs
• Two-wire mode can only be activated for sampling rates of 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz.

Analog outputs

• (2) XLR connectors (hot on pin 2), DC coupled, short circuit proof output circuitry, 44 Ω output impedance
• (2) RCA connectors, DC coupled, short-circuit proof output circuit, output impedance 22 Ω
  
  

Optional upgrades available