The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Showing posts with label Volume control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Volume control. Show all posts

Saturday, November 3, 2012

iFi iDAC




Small pre-amp with line out and headphone out.
24 bit / 192 kHz asynchronous USB input
ESS Hyperstream Chipset

Specifications:
Signal to Noise Ratio: >111dB(A)
Dynamic Range(-60dBFs): >111dB(A)
Crosstalk: <-102db td="td" z="z">
Total Harmonic Distortion(THD): <0 .005=".005" td="td">
Jitter: Below measurement limit
Frequency Response: 3Kz to 33KHz + 0.1dB/0.3dB
Headphone section:
Output Power: >150mW(15Ω)
Signal to Noise Ratio:>97dB(A)
Total Harmonic Distortion: <0 .003=".003" mv="mv" td="td">
Noise:<-86dbu td="td">
Output Impedance:(Zout): <10 td="td">
Power Consumption: < 2.5W
Dimensions: 158(l)x68(w)x28(h)mm
Weight: 193g(0.43lbs)

Website: iFi
Price: US$ 299

Monday, October 29, 2012

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.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Benchmark DAC2 HGC

DAC with volume control, line and headphone out.
DSD over USB ( DoP 1.0)
Supports USB(async) 1 & 2. Driver for Win.
2x4 32-bit DACs
Output: RCA/XLR

Website: Benchmark
Price: US$ 1995

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Burson Conductor


Headphone amplifier/ Pre amplifier / DAC



Inputs
1 x USB Connection
1 x Coaxial RCA (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
1 x Toslink / SPDIF (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
2 x RCA line level input


Outputs
1 x headphone jacks 6.35mm
1 x RCA Pre Amp output
1 x RCA DAC direct line out


DAC Specification
ESS SABRE32
Channel Separation: 140 dB @ 1KHz, 130 dB @ 20KHz
THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1KHz, 0dBFS
COAX & Toslink / SPDIF : 32 bits / 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz


USB Specification
Tenor TE8802
OS Requirement: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X
USB : 24 bits / 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz
Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz with 10ppm low jitter clock
Asynchronous Transfer Mode


Website: Burson
Price: $1.850

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Linnenberg u:c:a

Pre-amp with USB and SPDIF inputs and RCA and headphone out.



USB input uses the M2tech OEM circuit (Win/Mac) but a new receiver using the XMOS XS1-L1 is planned allowing for full USB Audio Class 2 support (Win, OSX, Linux).

DAC: TI/Burr Brown PCM1794A with TI/BB4192 sample-rate converter.
Upsampling to 192kHz, regardless of input rate. Master clock oscillator with 3ps periodic jitter. Passive I/U conversation with 0.1% precision resistors, zero feedback.

Headphones amplifier: Full discrete construction. NO OPAMPS. NO CHIPS. Volume control with selected blue Alps attenuator. 6.35mm phone jack output. 1000mW continuous sine power output. 1Ohm output impedance. Suitable for 32 – 600 Ohms cans.

Sampling frequencies:44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz, (plus 32kHz S/PDIF)
Resolution:Up to 32bit, (24bit S/PDIF)
Frequency response:1Hz - 24kHz +0.1dB -0.5dB
Distortion and noise:<0.01% 10Hz - 20kHz @ -10dB
Output level:4V rms
Output power:2 x 500mW continous @ 32 Ohms
Output impedance:1 Ohm
Mains voltage:115V, 230V factory set
Dimensions (H x W x D):55 x 165 x 224 mm

Website Linnenberg
Price: €1.190

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Perreaux Audiant DP32


Pre-amp with both digital and analogue inputs

Digital Inputs:1 USB (asynchronous 24/192)
1 AES/EBU (XLR)
2 Coaxial (RCA)
2 Optical (Toslink)
Digital to Analogue Converter:ESS Technology Sabre³² Reference ES9018 32-bit DAC
Input Word Length (maximum):32-bit (AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical)
24-bit (USB)
Input Sample Rate (maximum):192kHz (all inputs)
Analogue Inputs:1 Balanced/Unbalanced (selectable)
1 Unbalanced Line/Home Theatre (selectable)


Website: Perreaux
Price: $2.895

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

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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

Saturday, January 21, 2012

iBasso D7


Portable USB DAC with volume control and headphone out.

- True 24Bit/192K USB-DAC, supports bit for bit decoding.
- Asynchronous USB transfer
- WM8740 DAC chip
- Up to 24Bit/192K coaxial output
- RCA output and Line out.
- Built-in +/- 5V class A headphone amplfier that run off of USB power
- Full aluminum case
- Measures 60W*93L*22H (mm), and weights 108g
- Comes with USB Cable, and Leather pouch

Price: US$ 179
Website

Thursday, January 19, 2012

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

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

Sunday, December 11, 2011

ExaSound E18



DAC with volume control and headphone out.

  • ES9018 SABRE32 Reference DAC
  • 8 channels at up to 32bit/384kHz (USB only)
  • Asynchronous USB interface 
  • Ultra low jitter 
  • Galvanic isolation 
  • Bit-perfect ASIO Driver Reference-class specifications
  • Automatic sampling rate switching 
  • Plays DXD 352.8 kHz 


Price: $2000
Website

Friday, November 18, 2011

Centrance DACmini PX



DAC 24 bit
Headphone out: 1.5W (headphone output, total), drives 32...600 Ohm headphones
Speaker out: 50W (speaker output, total), drives 4...8 Ohm speakers 
Line out

Inputs
USB: 24 /96 adaptive mode 
S/PDIF: Up to 192 kHz Coax
Toslink

Price: $1475.00
Website: Centrance


Saturday, October 8, 2011

B.M.C. DAC1 Pre HiRes USBII

DAC with preamp.
Asynchronous USB (24/192) with driver for Win.

Price: € 3.248
Website: B.M.C.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Peachtree Audio Grand Pre control center


DAC/preamp/headphone amp with volume control and defeatable tubed output.
Price: US$2995
Website: Peachtree

Manufacturers description:
  • Reference ESS Sabre32 DAC knocks jitter down to <1 picosecond for accurate sound reproduction
  • Galvanic Isolation eliminates noise generated by switching power supplies in source components
  • New asynchronous I2S 24/192 USB input provides the best connection between computer and DAC 
  • VCA gain control for minimal noise and cross talk replaces the commonly used potentiometer 
  • New Bascom King tube buffer rejuvenates poor recordings and compressed audio