The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Friday, December 31, 2010

Calyx DAC 24/192


Calyx Audio of South Korea will launch launched its minimalist 24/192 DAC at the upcoming CES2011.  Specs looks very promising indeed.



  • Asynchronous USB 2.0
  • 24-bit/192kHz capable via USB (Drivers in Windows, Native Mac OSX 10.6.4 and above)
  • 32-bit/192kHz capable via S/PDIF
  • 8 x ESS SABRE ES9018 32-bit DAC chip per channel (Total of 16!!)
  • Two word clock generators, one for 44.1/88.2/176.4, another for 48/96/192 kHz
  • Selectable power from USB or 5v DC via back panel rocker switch
  • USB or Coaxial SPDIF via back panel rocker switch
  • Aluminum monocoque chassis
  • Two sets of analog output RCA and balanced XLR
  • THD of 0.00005%
  • 123dB signal to noise ratio
  • Output voltage RCA 2.2v, XLR 6.6v (higher than average even with 5v input voltage, that's what the parallel DAC chips can do)
  • 220 x 220 x 45 mm
  • 4.4kg
  • US$1,500
I'll be getting a sample for review in the next two weeks or so.