DAC Reviews

Specifications:

• High performance proprietary FPGA-based digital decoding without digital filter
• Discrete R2R ladder DACs with low noise precision resistors
• Galvanic isolated S/PDIF - AES/EBU Digital input
• Jitter free digital interface AQlink (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to La Diva cd transport
• Zero S/PDIF Jitter design, digital receiver stage PLL (phase locked loop) technology
• Discrete Regulator (MOSFET, J-FET, BJT) for analog and digital DAC’s power supply
• RJ45 (AQlink) input connection, employs CAT6 cable
• Two separate low noise power transformers, one for the analog and one for the digital section
• MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board system
• Fully discrete analog stage, not even a single Op-Amp is used
• Proprietary USB Firmware/driver: Apple MAC OS - Linux OS : USB asynchronous native support, no need to install drivers software
• Fully upgradeable asynchronous USB module with resolution 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 24 bits, DSD64, DSD128, operates with computers running OSX 10.7 and above, WINDOWS 10 , 8 , 7 and XP ASIO - WASAPI bit perfect high-speed
• AQ-i modular input: D111 XLR/D112 AT&T ST Fiber/D113 RCA/D114 TOSLINK with High Resolution platform
• Digital phase selector on front panel
• High-quality parts selected for sound quality: 105° long life capacitors/low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors/metallized film pulse capacitors/ultra-fast diodes
• Aluminum anti-resonant cabinet with Nextel
• Designed and handmade in Italy
• Input: RJ45 AQlink (I2S serial bus) - PCM 24 bit/384kHz - DSD64, DSD128 via DoP. BNC coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm – PCM 24 bit/192kHz - DSD64 via DoP. USB port – PCM 24 bit / 384kHz - DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
• MODULAR INPUT upgradeable, options: AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm – PCM 24 bit/192kHz - DSD64 via DoP
• RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm – PCM 24 bit/192kHz - DSD64 via DoP
• AT&T (ST Fiber) – PCM 24 bit/192kHz - DSD64 via DoP
• Optical TOSLINK – PCM 24 bit/96kHz
• Analog output: RCA single-ended/XLR balanced asymmetrical

Associated Equipment

• McIntosh C2600 tube preamplifier
• McIntosh MC611 mono block amplifiers
• Aurender N10 Music Server
• Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE loudspeakers
• All digital cabling, interconnects, XLR and speaker cables are Ultra Black by Tellurium Q
• All AC cables are Clarus Crimson (review coming) except for the Tellurium Q Black AC cable used with the Aqua S3
• PS Audio P20 Power Plant