Drawmer Completes the HQ Line

Drawmer has announced the shipping of two new products which expand the HQ family: the HQ-r, a wired remote controller which can drive single or multiple HQ units simultaneously, and the HQ-b, a remotely controllable HQ module which lacks the front-panel controls of the original device, and is designed for control via the new HQ Remote.

The HQ-r is designed to extend the HQ’s functionality. The HQ Remote adds a mono/stereo switch, user-defined volume level presets, a digital master volume display, and Mute and ‘intelligent’ (level-dependent) Dim controls. The new remote can also act as a master volume controller for multiple linked HQ units, permitting the creation of a 5.1 surround master volume control system which incorporates Drawmer’s preamp and D-A conversion technology.

When the HQ Remote is plugged in, a red Status LED illuminates, the HQ front-panel controls are disabled, and all volume, muting and source-switching functions can be carried out from the HQ-r. The remote’s illuminated Volume control takes over the duties of the HQ’s front-panel knob, and the input audio source is determined by nine backlit push-buttons, one for each of the HQ’s five digital connections (AES, S/PDIF, AES3, TosLink, USB) and its four analogue stereo inputs (balanced XLRs, two auxiliary line inputs, and a further aux line input with a switchable RIAA for vinyl replay, which is designed to allow users to directly connect a turntable without the need for an external preamp). A trio of speaker selection buttons, marked ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘A/B’, allows users to switch between the HQ’s two sets of speaker connections, A and B, or drive both sets simultaneously.

Additional Mute and Mono buttons are designed to enhance the HQ’s capabilities, the ‘intelligent’ Dim control is designed to reduce playback volume by an amount dependent on the current output level, and the three-figure digital volume display is designed to give a gain readout accurate to within half a decibel. Two user-defined volume level presets may also be accessed via the P1 and P2 buttons, for comparison of output levels in environments where accuracy is crucial, such as mastering studios. Weighing 0.8kg, the HQ Remote allows access to all the functions of the HQ Pre-Amp/DAC from a desktop unit.

For those wishing to use the HQ solely via the remote control, the HQ-b offers the same specs as the original HQ unit, but omits the front-panel controls. Designed to be driven exclusively by the HQ Remote, the HQ-b provides a means of building a monitor control/pre-amp system incorporating multiple HQ units.

Availability

No specific pricing info. The HQ-r and HQ-b are shipping now. For more information, see www.drawmer.com.