FREMONT, Calif. --Sept. 20, 1999-- Leveraging its audio technology expertise, Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) today introduced a new audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that allows manufacturers to make universal DVD a reality for general consumers.

By using Cirrus Logic's proprietary switched capacitor techniques, the same technology used in the high-end universal consumer DAC also announced today (see related release), the new Crystal® DAC (CS4391) minimizes jitter noise to deliver exceptional audio quality (108 dB) and reduce overall system cost.

"The general consumer doesn't want to be concerned with standards or compatibility issues, they simply want to put their DVD disc into a player and get the best possible performance,'' said Terry Ritchie, vice president of marketing for Cirrus Logic's Crystal Audio Products Division.

"With today's announcement we have taken a huge step toward eliminating this concern for the general consumer. While DVD Audio and SACD (Super Audio CD) compete in the audio space to become the next-generation audio format, manufacturers that opt for our CS4391 can roll out universal DVD players that support both formats with a single chip.''

Offering the best price/performance of any product in its class, the CS4391 is ideal for use in a variety of professional and consumer audio applications that require a cost competitive yet high-performance DAC solution. Besides DVD players, target markets for the CS4391 include Hi-Fi A/V receiver/amplifiers, set top boxes, mixing consoles, outboard converters, and effects processors.

Reducing Jitter Noise Streamlines System Design

In addition to increasing performance and reducing overall system cost, the CS4391's ability to eliminate jitter noise significantly simplifies complex analog system design. In order to suppress jitter noise, system designers using competing solutions today must incorporate costly and complicated analog circuitry such as phase-lock loops or voltage controlled oscillators.

The CS4391 leverages Cirrus Logic's audio expertise and robust portfolio of intellectual property to eliminate the need for complex external analog circuits, streamlining system design.

"One of the audio manufacturers' biggest headaches is how to lay out the complex analog circuits to minimize jitter noise,'' added Ritchie. ``Thanks to our CS4391 this headache is gone. The manufacturer no longer needs to worry about jitter noise and the complex analog design associated with reducing it. Producing next-generation DVD players has just been significantly streamlined -- from concept to consumer market entry.''

Packaging, Price & Availability

The CS4391 is priced at $2.05 in 10,000 lots. Samples are available now, with production quantities available in late September.

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog circuits and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions. The company's products, sold under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable system-level applications in mass storage, audio and precision data conversion. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

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Cirrus Logic will demonstrate its new Crystal DACs at the Audio Engineering Society Convention (Booth #153), which runs from Sept 24-27 at Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City

Note to editors -- Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.