There are a wide variety of uses for the EX-5 including playback of tapes made with the Nagra SNST as well as those made on any other recorder using the MC-3 compressor microphone. It is a precision circuit which will restore the full dynamic range of compressed signals. There are two audio channels for stereo recordings. When used with the SNST the EX-5 provides a more compact and convenient alternative to the Nagra DSP. There is a built-in high pass filter which eliminates hum, wind noise, and synchronizing tones for use with film and video cameras. This allows the EX-5 to track very accurately under difficult conditions. It is also much more economical than the DSP to purchase and operate.

The EX-5 has two types of output connectors. The LINE OUTPUT jacks on the rear panel have a fixed signal of "0" dBm at full level and a maximum before clipping of +6 dB. They should normally be used for making tape copies and other situations where the highest quality reproduction is required. Because of the very wide dynamic range produced by the EX-5 it may sometimes be necessary to adjust the output level and this can be done by using the volume controls to adjust the output at the PHONES/SPKR jack on the front panel. It is designed for headphones or small loudspeakers such as those used with personal (Walkman) tape players, but may also be used for making tape copies. Although any headphones may be used, Daniel Technology can supply several types which are perfectly matched to the EX-5. Unlike other units which have a single internal loudspeaker, the external loudspeakers provide full stereo sound for best voice intelligibility.

The WARNING light serves two functions. As an overload indicator, it is on whenever either channel is within 3 dB of clipping and will follow the peaks of the sound. As a low battery indicator, it blinks once every second when the battery should be replaced.

Special input cables contain components which match the EX-5 to the type of source equipment being used. A cable should always be used which has been designed for that particular source (recorder or receiver). Daniel Technology can supply cables for any equipment, however we strongly recommend that you select a device which has a fixed output level.

The EX-5 is economical and easy to operate. Power is provided by either a single standard 9-volt battery or an inexpensive wall-plug power supply which automatically disconnects the battery when plugged into the unit.

The OEI-19 converts any fiber-optic (Toslink connector) stereo digital audio signal having a sample rate between 25 kHz and 50 kHz to an electrical signal conforming to IEC 958 Type II (SPDIF) coaxial connection. It provides an exact electrical replica of the optical signal. It will not convert the sample rate nor is it a time-base corrector. The OEI-19 is extremely easy to use because there are no controls or adjustments necessary.

The OEI-19 is powered by a single 9 volt battery with an average operating life of 20 hours for alkaline and 45 hours for lithium batteries. Power is automatically turned on when the OEI-19 is connected to an SPDIF input. To turn off power simply disconnect the output cable. If battery power drops below 6.5 volts the regulator shuts off, thereby preventing any bad data from being generated. Dimensions including the battery are 3 3/4 x 2 3/8 x 1 inch.