Alo Audio The Island

24 bits /192 kHz USB headphone amp.
Bus powered.

Website Alo Audio
Price : $299.00

Gefen USB DAC and converter

24 bit / 192 kHz USB DAC with RCA and headphone out.

Can also be used as a USB to Toslink convertor.

Driver for Windows.

• Audio Input Connector: (1) USB Mini-B
• Audio Output Connectors:
  • (1) TOSLINK (optical)
  • (1) L/R analog audio (2 x RCA female)
  • (1) 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack
• Power/Streaming indicator: (1) LED, blue
• Sampling Frequency indicators: (6) LEDs, blue
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110 dBA
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 20kHz ± 0.1 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)+N: <0 .02="" li="">
• Operating Temperature: +32 to 104 °F ( 0 to +40 °C )
• Operating Humidity: 20 to 90% RH, no condensation
• Storage Temperature: -4 to +140 °F ( -20 to +60 °C )
• Storage Humidity: 0 to 95% RH, no condensation
• Power Consumption: 2.5W (max.)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.4" x 1.3" x 3.4" (86mm x 34mm x 86mm)
• Shipping Weight: 1 lbs (0.45) kg

Website Gefen

Price: $129.00

Matrix Audio X-Sabre

Looking at the connectivity of this DAC and its price, it will probably become the DAC flavor of the month.

• Asynchronous USB
• DSD×64 (2.8224MHz) / DSD×128 (5.6448MHz）over USB
• Sample rates supported USB: 16-32Bit @ 44.1kHz/48kHz/88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz/352.8kHz/384kHz
• Sample rates supported Coax/AES-EBU: 16-24Bit @ 44.1kHz/48kHz/88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz
• Low latency ASIO/KS drivers supported
• Drivers available for: Windows XP/ Windows Vista/ Windows 7
• 4 ESS 9018 Sabre Reference DAC per channel
• XMOS X-CORE 32Bit/500MIPS DSP

Website: Matrix Audio

Price: US$ 1,099.95 

DACs

You like DACs?

An impressive compilation can be found here: DACInfo

Bryston BDA 2

Another DAC with the almost mandatory asynchronous USB input.

 

 • Dual 192K/32Bit AKM DAC’s
• Independent dual power Supplies
• Discrete Class A analog output stage
• Selectable synchronous upsampling (176.4K/192K)
• Independent analog and digital signal paths
• Inputs: 192/24 USB (1, asynchronous), COAX (2), OPTICAL (2), AES-EBU (1) BNC (2)
• Fully differential balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo outputs
• Transformer coupled SPDIF and AES EBU digital inputs
• SPDIF COAX bypass loop output

Website: Bryston BDA 2
Price: US$ 2395,-

AURALiC Vega DAC

DAC supporting both PCM and DSD over USB.
PCM from 44.1KS/s to 384KS/s in 32Bit (352.8KS/s and 384KS/s USB only)

DSD64( 2.8224MHz) and DSD128(5.6448MHz) - 'DoP V1.1' standard, USB only

Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz, +/- 0.1dB*
Signal/Noise:126dB, 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted
THD+N:<0 .0003=".0003" 0dbfs="0dbfs" 20hz-20khz="20hz-20khz" at="at" p="p">Dynamic Range:130dB, 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted

Digital Inputs
1*AES/EBU
2*Coaxial
1*Toslink
1*USB 2.0 buffered by ActiveUSB™

Analog Outputs
1*Balanced(output impedance 2.2ohm)
1*Single-ended(output impedance 50ohm)

Website: AURALiC
Price: US$ 3499 / € 3299

AURALiC Sanctuary Audio Processor

Sanctuary audio processor, the heart of VEGA, is based on multi-core ARM9 architecture with calculating capability at 1000MIPS which is ideal for handling multi-channel high resolution music. AURALiC also introduces the second generation ActiveUSB ™ to VEGA that separates the USB PHY into a discrete chip to future reduce EMI  from computer. Resorting to these technologies, VEGA not only support DXD format(352.8KS/s and 384KS/s PCM signal in 32bit) but also able to decode DSD stream at 2.8224MHz and 5.6448MHz in native though 'DoP V1.1' transmission standard.

Megahertz Upsampling

By using the latest ground breaking algorithm, megahertz upsampling technology can process and up-sample all incoming PCM format to 1.5MHz at 32bit depth. These not only improve the precision of DAC, but also create a new Nyquist frequency for all PCM signal which farther away from the top end of audio frequency. As a result, our engineers are able to design a bran-new analog circuit structure with more bandwidth and faster slew rate. Comparing to previous design, the new structure is more transparent to audio signal with lower distortion and less noise, it also lets red book CDs sound more rich and smooth.

Femto Master Clock

The purpose of Femto master clock is to give DAC an ultimate clock with extremely low jitter and phase noise. It utilizes aerospace grade crystal oscillator, ultra low noise linear power supply and temperature compensation technology to generate master clock with extremely low jitter performance at 82 femtoseconds(0.082 picoseconds). What's more important, the phase noise which affect sound quality a lot has been dramatically reduced to -168dBc/Hz. Driving by such amazing clean clock, VEGA can easily reproduce the music details in the 'last bit', represent a rock solid stereo image you may never experience before.

Fully Customized Digital Filters

VEGA has six built-in digital filters which are developed under AURALiC's subjective auditory sense and objective testing data relationship models. These filters are specially designed to optimize the listening experience for different music and format. The linear phase filter exhibits perfect in-band ripple and out-band attenuation performance while the minimum phase filter is better for enjoyment as it has no 'pre-ringing' effect. There are also slow roll-off filter and several noise filters for native DSD conversion. To maximum usage of these filters, VEGA allows its user to customize according to different formats, tuning sound best to personal preference.

AURALiC ORFEO Class-A Output Module

In order to drive various loads, matching different power amplifiers, VEGsA is equipped with AURALiC's patented ORFEO Class-A module as the output stage which inspired by Neve 8078 analog console’s circuit design. The principle of this module is to use a mass of small signal components with best linear characteristic. By packing them though a thermal balance procedure and bias the transistors into Class-A, ORFEO achieves impressive performance with open loop distortion less than 0.001%. The ORFEO module used in VEGA has been selected and tweaked for lower noise while maintains its driving capability for 600ohm load without distortion raise.

Audioquest DragonFly USB Digital-Audio Converter

Capabilities:
• Drives headphones directly
• Variable output drives powered speakers or a power amplifier
• Fixed output feeds preamp or AV receiver
Features:
• 64-position analog volume control
• Accepts music files up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution
• Asynchronous Class 1 USB data transfer using the Streamlength protocol
• Direct-coupled circuitry from the ESS Sabre DAC chip through the analog volume control and output analog driver section
• Dual Master Clocks are used to minimize the amount of jitter present in the DAC circuitry

Website Audioquest
Price:  € 249,00

Calyx Femto DAC

DAC with volume control.
Claimed dynamic range of 132dB, THD of 0.0001% and RMS jitter of 500 femto seconds.
USB 24/192 max. Synchronization not specified but probably asynchronous.

• Digital Input: Two Coaxial / Two Optical / Two AES-EBU / BNC / USB
• Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz ~ 192kHz
• THD+N Ratio: 0.0003% @ 1kHz
• SNR: 130 [dB] @ 1kHz
• Channel Specification: 144 [ dB] @ 1kHz
• Dynamic Range: 130 [dB] @ 1kHz
• Output Level(UnBal): 6.8 [V]
• Output Level(Bal): 2 [V]

Lots of measurements in the user manual.

Website: Calyx
Price: $6.000

T+A DAC 8

DAC with volume control (defeatable) and headphone out.
Supports both USB audio class 1 and 2.
For USB Audio Class 2 it is possible to select either synchronous or asynchronous transmission; a special driver is required for this.

Specifications
D/A converter	32-Bit, 384 kHz Sigma Delta, 8-times oversampling, double-mono-quadruple
Analogue filter	3rd order phase linear Besselfilter, switchable 60 kHz or 120 kHz
Frequency response	2 Hz - 20 / 22 kHz (44.1 / 48.0 kSps)
	2 Hz - 40 kHz (88.2 / 96.0 kSps)
	2 Hz - 80 kHz (176.4 / 192.0 kSps)
Total harmonic distortion	< 0,001 %
Signal noise (A)	116 dB
Channel separation	110 dB
Analogue outputs
coaxial (Cinch)	2,5 Veff / 22 Ohm fixed. 0 ... 2,5 Veff variable
Symetrical (XLR)	5,0 Veff / 22 Ohm fixed. 0 ... 5,0 Veff variable
Digital output	1 x coax, IEC 60958 (CDDA/LPCM)
Digital inputs	SP/DIF (16 - 24 Bit):
	4 x co-ax, 1 x BNC, 1 x AES/EBU up to 192/24, 1 x TOS-Link up to 96/24
	1 x USB with USB Audio Class 1 (USB full Speed) up to 96/24, adaptive mode
	and USB Audio Class 2 (USB high Speed) up to 192/24 asynchronous mode (drivers available)

Website T+A
Price: £1890

Totaldac D1

R2R DAC with volume control and headphone out.

Also available with active 2 or 3 way crossover.

• 192KHz asynchronous Xmos USB, optical, RCA and AES-EBU digital inputs, selectable from a remote control.
• 3.3Vrms max RCA, XLR analog output and 32ohm-600ohm headphone amplifier.
• digital volume control, adjusted by a remote control and an OLED display.
• phase polarity selected by remote control.
• non-oversampling FIR digital filter activated or disactivated by remote control.

Website: Totaldac
Price: €6500

Cambridge Azur 851C

DAC/CD player/preamplifier

Inputs:
AES, SPDIF (Toslink & coax), USB

24-bit/96kHz driverless USB input
Supports 24-bit/192kHz USB input using a free Cambridge Audio driver
Unclear if this is asynchronous USB

Twin Analog Devices AD1955 current output DACs used in dual differential mode
Up-sampling (to 24-bit/384kHz) using a 32-bit Black Fin DSP

Output: XLR & RCA

Website: Cambridge Audio
Price: £1200

Monkey Banana Turbo 8

Active monitor with SPDIF input

System	'2-way' active
Price	€ 399,- each
Cabinet	Vented
Digital input	S/PDIF
HF driver	1-inch natural silk dome
LF Driver	8-inch ceramic cone
Analogue input	XLR/TRS Combo connectors, RCA
Amp	30/80 Watt A/B
DSP	Build-in DAC

Website: Monkey Banana

John Kenny JKSPDIF MK3

Modified HiFace 24/192 asynchronous USB - SPDIF converter
Manufacturers description:

• it is completely off-grid, powered from 2 internal batteries (these will last about 24 hours between charges)
• it is portable - no need for external power supply when listening to audio
• the SPDIF output stage is now based on the Wolfson WM8804 chip
• SPDIF signal is now within spec
• it comes in an aluminium enclosure
• it now uses a USB type B socket
• internal battery charger - requires user supplied 9V or 12V DC supply

Website: John Kenny

Price: €320

NAD M51 Direct Digital DAC

35-bit 844kHz DAC and Digital Preamp.

Manufactures description:
Running at 108MHz, the M51 resamples the incoming pulse code modulated (PCM) signal and converts it to a pulse width modulation signal (PWM) with a sampling rate of 844kHz. Operating in a differential mode with double precision, the M51 has state-of-the-art specifications for low noise and freedom from distortion. The extreme headroom afforded by the 35-bit architecture allows for a DSP-based volume control that does not reduce resolution. Even with 24-bit high definition signals, the output can be attenuated by 66dB (very, very quiet) before bit truncation begins.

Specifications
Rated Distortion (THD+N with AES 17 filter) <0.0005% (0dBFS)
IMD Distortion 0.0001%
Signal/Noise Ratio <-125dB (ref. 0dBFS 2V out)
Channel Separation >-115dB (ref. 0dBFS Volume -1dB)
Sample Rate 32kHz to 192kHz (USB and digital S/PDIF)
Frequency Response ±0.5dB (ref. 20Hz - 96kHz sample rate)
Output Level 2V (ref. input 0dBFS)

Input

• XLR - AES/EBU
• SPDIF Coaxial x 1
• Optical x 1
• HDMI x 2 (stereo only)
• USB Audio Codec 2.0: asynchronous 24/192 support

Output

• HDMI Video Out (3D video pass through)
• Analogue Unbalanced and Balanced

Anedio D2 DAC

Pre-amp / DAC with various digital inputs and headphone out.

Asynchronous USB using the XMOS receiver, Thesycon driver for Win (USB audio class 2).

Inputs:
USB: 24 bits, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz
SPDIF 75-ohm BNC + RCA: 24 bits, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz
SPDIF 75-ohm RCA: 24 bits, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz
Tosllink Optical: 24 bits, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96KHz

Outputs:
RCA and XLR
Headphone

Price:  US$1470
Website

Phase Tech HD-7D192

USB audio class 2 compliant DAC with USB receiver by XMOS.

Inputs: SPDIF (optical/coax) / asynchronous USB
Outputs: AES/EBU, ciax, I2S
Word sync out.

Website
Price: Yen 249,900

Rasteme Rudd14

24/192 asynchronous USB DAC.

USB receiver by XMOS.
Price: Yen 56,700-
Website

ATOLL DAC200

Pre-amp/DAC with various digital inputs and headphone out

Inputs

• 1 AES/EBU
• 2 SPDIF coaxi
• 3 SPDIF optical
• 1 asynchronous USB : 24bits/192kHz (XMOS, driver for Win)
• 1 wireless dongle

Outputs:

• 1 coax
• 1 optical
• 1 RCA 
• 1 XLR 
• 1 headphone

DAC: BURR BROWN PCM1792 (24 bits/192 kHz)

Price: €1500

Website

Arcam D33

DAC with a USB Class 1 electrically-isolated USB 1.1 and a Class 2 USB 2.0 High Speed (480 Mbit/s) not electrically-isolated input.
Both probably asynchronous

Analogue Audio Output

• Conversion 2x Burr Brown 24-bit 192kHz Advanced Segment Delta-Sigma
• Signal to noise ratio > 110dB CCIR (unweighted)
• Harmonic distortion (1kHz) 0.0008% (20Hz — 20kHz, unweighted)
• Frequency response (+0.1dB, -0.5dB) 10Hz–20kHz
• Filtering User selectable, fast or slow roll-off
• Output level (0dB) 2.2Vrms
• Output impedance 47Ω
• Minimum load 5kΩ

Digital interfaces

• USB Class 1 electrically-isolated USB 1.1
• Class 2 USB 2.0 High Speed (480 Mbit/s)
• AES/EBU Up to 192kHz sample rate
• Coaxial S/PDIF x 2 Up to 192kHz sample rate
• Optical S/PDIF (TOSLINK) x 2 Up to 96kHz sample rate
Computer compatibility
• PC Windows 7, Vista & XP (driver required for 24/192 material)
• MAC OSX (no driver required)

Physical

• Dimensions W433 x D370 x H110mm
• Weight 6.2kg nett/10.0kg packed
• Power consumption 30W maximum
• Analogue output connection RCA Phono x 2, Balanced XLR x2

Remote control.
Price: £2000
Website

DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core

Room correction and USB DAC

Manufacturers description:
The new DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core room correction system can be used to correct any stereo audio system automatically. It utilizes a highly powerful DSP chipset for master grade room correction, the new dual-core VS8053 "IceDragon".
The new Anti-Mode Dual Core can be inserted between a pre-amp and a power amp (or active speakers). With automatic calibration and built-in TFT screen to display the room measurements, it offers the unmatched ease of use DSPeaker is famous for around the world.
In addition to the acclaimed Anti-Mode room correction, Dual Core also offers remote controlled USB-DAC / S/PDIF-DAC, pre-amp, volume control and versatile EQ functions. All easily controlled with the featured remote control. Both balanced XLR/RCA connections are available, but also Pure-Digital mode where the corrected signal is passed through completely in the digital domain.

• Automatically corrects any stereo system with userdefined frequency range
• Remote controller
• Can be used as a digital 1.1 crossover
• Measures and displays the room response on a color TFT display
• Supports multiple measurement points
• Custom parametric EQs (notching, peaking, lowpass, highpass)
• Easy to use House curve and Tiltcurve tools
• Supports several independent "sweet spots", selectable with remote controller
• USB DAC
• Dual 6 MHz oversampling multibit DAC per output channel
• Dual 192 kHz ADC per input channel
• Pure Digital mode (Optical)
• Digitally controlled analog volume control

Price: $1200 / €850
Website