JMF AUDIO DMT 3.7. Universal carriage “Studio Master”

At JMF Audio we believe that browsing through a collection of albums, holding a record in your hands, while reviewing the booklet, is an essential part of the pleasure of listening to your favorite music. Like flipping through a book when preparing to read it, handling a record and its case brings back memories and prepares you for the listening experience.

When it comes to art, humans seem to be naturally attached to the object. When an artist releases an album, it always means a record. A record is, without a doubt, the best way to offer the music we love to a person we love. And putting the signature of our favorite artists in the booklet after their concert makes that record very special…

For you music lovers, music collectors, for your many beloved CDs, SACD originals, your next Pure Audio Blu-ray Disc collection, JMF Audio has designed and built the ultimate transport. From the idea to the final release of DMT3.7, it took years of development.

Digital audio with the precision analog approach, for the first time… for music 

In the age of audio and computer networks, there would have been no point in embarking on the monumental job of developing a single player without making sure that spinning discs had the potential to outperform computer file players. Audiophile-optimized computers, studio mastering software, the most famous CD transports as well as JMF Audio prototypes have been evaluated in the JMF Audio labs… The best studio mastering solution, without a doubt, offered faithful performance. However, a more vivid, more organic presentation of the music was noticeable in reading a record. Clearly, JMF Audio wanted both. Needless to say, the challenge was extremely high.

How could a spinning record offer better sound than a file played by a computer?

It's all about analog setups...

Digital audio is based on clocks, but clocks are analog components, dependent on numerous parameters, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI).

In the ideal dematerialized configuration, a computer or server is connected to a DAC asynchronously, which means that the DAC has a master clock and the computer is expected to be completely "slave" on a sample-by-sample basis. Therefore, the digital-to-analog conversion is directly dependent on the DAC clock. However, no watch is perfect. In fact, the sound is directly affected by the inherent clock characteristics of the DAC, as well as electromagnetic interference from the computer and the environment.

On an audio CD, the data is encoded in CIRC EFM. The samples are divided into symbols that are interleaved and physically distributed across the disk so that, in the event of a small scratch, correct recovery of the data is possible using a checksum. Interleaving on disk also means that there is no direct temporal relationship between successive samples. Using this aspect combined with the unique MCLK3™ timing technique, JMF Audio has been able to “convolute” the clock characteristics featuring very low level side spectral bands and a Gaussian (Bell of Gaussian) function-shaped distribution. This defines a natural phenomenon. This is a unique approach to digital audio and explains, in large part, the results of the DM3.

However, in order to get the most out of this particular aspect, many important issues had to be addressed, such as mechanically induced vibrations and noise. Absolute controls of the optical part, power supplies and electromagnetic influences were a prerequisite.

After numerous vibration analyzes and computer modeling based on specific JMF Audio measurement methods, it became clear that only advanced and massive mechanics would achieve the desired result, effectively eliminating tray mechanism or mobile charger solutions, even the most sophisticated.

This has given rise to the birth of the BDPM1, the first massive Blu-ray mechanism, machined with a precision of one hundredth of a millimeter (1/100 mm). Mounted on a decoupling base made of multiple layers of thickness, which in turn is the chassis of the machine, and supported on 3 cones specially designed for this reader. The decoupling feet are hardened under 1 ton of pressure in the JMF Audio workshops, guaranteeing maximum stability. The complete system exceeds 30 kg.

The rotation speed of a Blu-ray disc is very high. Silent operation and airflow control are guaranteed by an innovative decompression zone located on the platter and distributed around the disc.

For maximum return pickup of the laser signal and optimized disc stability, a carbon clamp was developed that covers the entire surface of the disc. Each carbon disc clamp is machined and assembled by hand in JMF Audio's workshops.

The optical sensor is sensitive to ambient light, a vibration-free machined tilting cover closes and protects the drive bay. Hydraulically assisted opening and air and oil cushioned closing offer smooth oscillation of this massive 2kg piece. The disc compartment cover is engraved with the JMF Audio logo, like an emblem symbolizing “the summit”, and is placed on top of the audiophile shelf.

Main signal processing board with MCK3 clock circuitry

The CD (compact disc), introduced by Philips and Sony in the early 1980s, was already a high-definition digital audio format, covering the entire frequency range that humans can perceive, with dynamics that can still overcome sound conditions. real recording. Obviously, all this explains his fantastic success. The CD can be played without wear, it cannot be erased. Music lovers own hundreds or thousands of these records, all with their history. The CD is more than ever a standard for the collection of musical pieces.

The SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc), proposed by Sony 20 years later, offered greater dynamic range and better impulse response, along with multi-channel capabilities. It became the format of choice for audiophiles, with countless valuable releases on major labels, especially specialty labels.

Blu-ray (the latest disc format) was standardized for high-definition audio applications by the MSM Studio Group (Germany) as “Blu-ray™ Pure Audio”. This is the format that JMF Audio has been waiting for for a long time: Access to high definition audio without the hassles associated with computers. This format triggered the development of the universal DMT 3.7 reader.

Pure Audio Blu-ray disc is the media we've been waiting for, uncompressed, up to 192 kHz / 24-bit

DMT 3.7 is the universal transport you have been dreaming of.

Pure Audio Blu-ray discs typically contain multiple audio streams, such as 192 kHz Linear PCM, DTS Master Audio, multi-channel Dolby True HD, among others. To make Pure Audio Blu-ray discs playable as easily as regular CDs, JMF Audio has developed an algorithm that, once the disc is loaded, automatically enumerates the available streams and selects the high-definition stereo stream. This allows display-free operation, without even pressing a special key. This feature is activated from the rear of the DMT 3.7 via the STREAM AUTO button (patent pending).

All Blu-ray control boards incorporate high-speed video circuitry. To ensure the purest audio path, these video circuits are automatically disabled when the user selects PURE AUDIO mode from the rear panel of the DMT 3.7 (patent pending).

What result to expect? CD – SACD – Blu-ray Pure Audio

One of the most extraordinary sensations of the DMT 3.7 transport, especially when combined with the DAC DXC2.2-MKII, is that it extracts so much unexpected information, so much musicality from a normal CD, that the listening pleasure is immense, whatever the music. selected disc type. Music plays naturally. The performance is ample, voluptuous, organic, articulate, soft… desirable.

DMT 3.7 is not only the ultimate audio disc transport, but also offers extensive dematerialization connectivity with USB (hard drives, USB sticks) and LAN (Ethernet network, NAS), supporting all file types: WAV, DSD, FLAC, AAC…, and including the TIDAL streaming service natively. All controllable from a smartphone / tablet in Wifi… etc. Dematerialization taking full advantage of the isolation, audio processing, and clock circuitry of the DMT 3.7 universal.

And finally we spend countless hours putting one disc after another, playing files and enjoying the music, the performance of the artists, forgetting about the technical aspects for good…

JMF audio signal processing and MCLK3 clock, common to all sources.

Specific and independent power supplies for the optics, audio and multimedia sections.

Two operating modes PURE AUDIO and AUDIO-VIDEO (patents pending).

AUTO STREAM or manual audio stream selection (patent pending).

Precision SPDIF and AES-EBU stereo audio outputs.

Multi-channel audio outputs in HDMI, PCM and DSD.

HDMI video outputs (giving access to multimedia content and equipment configuration).

Easy control with the JMF Audio MBR1 remote control.

Advanced control with tablet / smartphone / computer (WIFI, DLNA).

Although modern HDMI inputs and outputs with support for PCM, DSD audio, and HD video are offered, the use of AES-EBU (balanced) and SPDIF (coaxial) precision digital output interfaces is preferred as they take full advantage of advanced processing. by JMF Audio. They also guarantee compatibility with all previous and future DACs.

Better than the study master source!

Blu-ray Pure Audio is the first commercially available media capable of maintaining music at a resolution equal to or greater than actual studio quality. DMT 3.7 is utterly accurate and true to the source, presenting music with a grandeur and natural feel that is lacking in file playback systems, even studio gear. Incredible but true. You can be privileged.

Blu-ray Pure Audio also means mShuttle: portable, high-resolution files from trusted sources

“Blu-ray Pure Audio”, as defined by MSM-s¡Studios and certified by the AES (Audio Engineering Society), means a package containing a Blu-ray disc and one or more hybrid CDs or SACDs, as well as the possibility of obtaining the corresponding files in MP3, FLAC, MQA to use with your portable devices or in the car, thanks to mShuttle technology. Simply insert the Blu-ray disc and connect the DMT3.7 to your home network to securely access the files residing on the disc (no Internet downloads).

Blu-ray Pure Audio is guaranteed to be high definition, physical and dematerialized. Straight from the studios. Your favorite music anytime, anywhere, and the best at home with the DMT 3.7 from JMF Audio.

JMF Audio components are fully handcrafted in our workshops and pass strict tests. Since revision B, each unit is tested for over 100 hours of listening in our studios, ensuring that its future owner will only receive the best.

At JMF Audio we dedicate hours of study to improve our electronics. We call these “Reviews” and list them alphabetically for each of our devices. All owners of JMF Audio products have the security of being able to access the different revisions of their devices. Avoiding obsolescence as much as possible, taking care of our clientele, is another form of savoir-faire at JMF Audio.

Technical characteristics:

Type: Universal carriage “Studio Master”

CD – SACD – Blu-ray Pure Audio & Streaming

BDPM1 – High precision reading mechanism (patented)

Dimensions (mm): 466 W x 365 H (lid open) x 381 D

Weight: 31 Kg (net)

Finishes: New brushed aluminum “orose black” – “orose silver”