The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Fidelix Caprice DAC/Preamp

Another best kept secret in Japan. A small independent company, Fidelix, has a preamp/DAC called Caprice which looks really full-featured and getting rave reviews from Audio presses in Japan including the prestigious Audio Excellence Award 2011.



Features
  • ESS ES9018 32-bit DAC chip
  • CMOS high speed amplifiers with bipolar input current from the power supply
  • Digital inputs up to 32Bit/192kHz sampling
  • 2 x coaxial inputs
  • 2 x toslink inputs
  • 1 x AES/EBU input
  • The three digital inputs can be switched by remote control
  • 2 x Analog inputs, use the same amplifer as the output stage but disconnect from digital when in use.  This line amplifier JFET input OP amp completely in parallel to the DC amplifier circuit. Because there is sufficient driving force, also serves as a front headphone output. 
  • DAC fixed direct output XLR balanced output, Variable output through RCA
  • Can also use digital volume control through remote
  • The independent power transformers for left and right analog, and a total of three uses for digital. Two transformers are connected to the analog to cancel the flux direction
  • The board can also enter the 32Bit/192kHz 24Bit/352.8kHz I2S and DSD signals or signal input jacks (PS AUDIO isolated compliant HDMI input option can be installed inside a sub-board)
  • DIP switch provided on the bottom, SLOW ROLL-OFF, PLL bandwidth, DSD filter characteristics, oversampling can be configured with or without jitter reduction capability
  • Small, lightweight, low cost (body size 50mm, 150mm, 250mm, about 2kg) 
  • 168,000 yen