The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Monday, February 3, 2014

Gato Audio DIA-250 Integrated Amplifier $4,500


  • 2x 250W@8ohm / 2x 500W@4ohm
  • Class D output stage
  • Built in 24bit/192kHz D/A converter with upsampling
  • Coax, optical and asynchronous USB digital input up to 24bit/192kHz
  • Accepts digital streaming directly from Apple iPad
  • Two unbalanced and one balanced inputs
  • Nonmagnetic enclosure
  • Direct function; enables use in home theater sytems

Linnenberg VIVACE

Linnenberg VIVACE €1'690


ES9018 ESS Sabre DAC

femto master clock with a clock accuracy of under 0.1ps clock jitter

Sampling frequencies PCM : 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
S/PDIF – input limited to 192 kHz max.
Resolution PCM : 32bit
Resolution DSD : DSD64 (2.8224MHz) and DSD128 (5.6448MHz) over DoP protocol
Master clock jitter : 82 fs (femto seconds)
Frequency response : DC - 24kHz +0.1dB -0.5dB
DC – 70kHz -3dB @192kHz or DSD
Distortion and noise : <0 -="" .002="" 0db="" 10hz="" 20khz="" p=""> Dynamic range : 130dB
Output level : 2V rms single ended / 4V rms balanced
Output impedance : 100 Ohm per phase

Mains voltage : 100V - 240V
Power consumption : 9W, < 0.5W stand by
Dimensions (H x W x D) : 51 x 165 x 226 mm

Clones Audio Sheva DAC

Clones Audio Sheva DAC €1799





 Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, S/PDIF, BNC,Toslink, I2S and USB
• 2 stereo analog outputs, one on XLR one on RCA
• 100steps fine setting via rotary encoder (digital domain) control main output

Frontpanel controls:
• Dot Matrix display for display of sampling rate, input source, audio level, filter type
• Rotary encoder with push switch

Special features:
• DSD 64/128 and DXD (384KHz 24bit PCM) compatible
• Ultra-Low Phase Noise Femto Master Clock
• Power supply has separate torroidal transformers for Analog and Digital section.

Sampling rates:
• AES/EBU, COAX, OPT up to 192kHz
• USB/I2S: PCM 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384kHz; DSD64, DSD128