2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?

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ted_b

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2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« on: 19 Apr 2011, 03:03 pm »
I'd like to use this thread as a kind of repository of new DAC announcements/discussions.  If the discussion becomes too detailed, we can always start a new thread specific to the piece.  And i'll add to the list as folks remind me or discover new ones (thanks Mark on the Pandora, and our fearless leader JohnR for catching the extra digit typo in the NuForce price...oops).

** A new ESS SAbre DAC from a new company founded with ex- ESS Sabre executive.

http://resonessencelabs.com/

$3995, with release in MAy.  Looks interesting, with a very measurements-based user manual online.  Implies that all sources are upconverted to 24/192 but can't figure it out, as it also has sample rate lights.

** NuForce announces their DAC-9 at $1695.

http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/Dac-HPAmp/dac9/index.php

More info on their Circle here,
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=91621.0
but this is unique in that it spends lots of resources on the output side (good idea), claiming better filtering, etc.  Could give the below $2k category a real run.

** AMR introduces their NOS/32 bit selectable-chip DAC (DP-77, $4995)

Press Release: Abbingdon Music Research's new DP-77 [$4.995] with its Gemini Digital Engine allows selection between a 16-bit non-oversampling chip and a 32-bit chip for a 'best of both worlds' approach between legacy Redbook CD and PC-audio high-resolution files. The 24/192 USB input is asynchronous and there are minimum-phase apodizing reconstruction filters to minimize pre-ringing. The DAC's 'global master timing' clock is adaptive to avoid stepped matching to incoming sampling frequencies. Instead it scans continuously between 28.000.000 discrete frequencies to mirror the incoming data rate perfectly.   Four of the nine digital inputs work through a tube buffer and in preamp mode the DP-77 offers 71-step analog volume control with a resistor array.

I'm VERY interested in this thing.  NOS for redbook, and yet Hirez for the remainder....?  Very nice idea on paper.  Seems to have a lot of technology and faetures for $5k, and the AMR sound is well received/reviewed.  Gonna call my AMR dealer asap.  :)

** new Grace m903 headphone amp/DAC/preamp

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm

MSRp around $1800; looks to compete with the likes of Burson.  Has been talked about a bit already over at Headfi. 

** Hi-end manufacturer Aesthetix introduces card-based Pandora tube hybrid DAC ($5k), and Romulus DAC/player.

http://www.aesthetix.net/introducing.php

With Aesthetix reputation for great sonics and great build quality in their preamps and amps, along with a world-reknown phone pre, it's nice to see them come out with a couple digital pieces.    Uses Gordon's aysnch USB drivers, too.

** new Calif-based Core Audio Technology releases 2 NOS DACs, with hirez one in pipeline

Press release:Core Audio has two DAC levels we are releasing now and one in the works. One at $1500 and one at $3000. The Core Audio DAC is built around the AD1865NOS Chip using all high-end parts. The Entry-level DAC boasts 8 stages of regulation into 16 discrete power supplies driven with over 40kuF of top-end Nichicon Gold-Tune capacitance. Caddock top-end TF020 resistors are used throughout as well has Sanyo Oscon ultra-low ESR 1500uF SMDs on the board. Not a single part is "generic". To round it off we use V-Cap OIMP output caps. The top-end model takes this to the extreme. We upgrade to Mundorf electrolytics for over 100kuF of capacitance, V-Cap TFTF ($1200 retail upgrade on its own), and various other upgraded parts throughout. Soon we will be releasing a version that is optimized for Jensen 33kuF 4-pole capacitors in the power supply and DC coupling the output for even more MUSIC.

We are also working on a discrete 24bit R2R style DAC (no DAC chip) with 96 laser-matched .01% resistors for high-resolution playback. It contains roughly 55 separate power supplies and a 48 channel bit-matched attenuator that is microcontrolled to match the voltage perfectly. This not only allows us to move the controller to the output, but creates a truly digital amplifier with only one stage of conversion and a bit-perfect, line level output right before the speakers. No separate amplifier and a truly high-resolution NOS DAC. Just below alien technology.
Ryan Mintz
Core Audio Technology
216.392.0048


Ryan has made nice inroads with power supplies for the Mac Mini and Metric Halo DACS, and his new venture is going after the NOS and hirez DAC market.  Alien technology?  Klaatu barada nikto!!

** Electrocompaniet returns, and with a DAC or two.

http://www.electrocompaniet.com/products/prelude/PD-1.html

I heard the PD-1 at CES and was underwhelmed, but be that as it may.  It has 24/192 SPDIF but USB seems an after thought at 16/48 asynch, and I told Electromcompaniet.  They were initially playing pop music DVD's through it as DAC for their 2 channel HT but we got them to do some serious stuff.

** Anedio is a new company with another ESS Sabre DAC, the $1270 D1

http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d1_overview

I have several emails (4+) into this company since December, but not one returned yet.  The under-$1500 DAC market is a huge one and I assumed they'd be a player with what's on paper so far.  Let's hope they get reviewed soon.  I would have loved to eval this DAC, but I give up.  Let us know if anyone hears one.

** Jeff Rowland joins the list of hi-end audio names returning via a DAC announcement.  The Aeris ($9800)!

http://jeffrowland.com/websitepublisher/aeris-dac-overview_gallery.html?

Built to incredible NASA-grade specs, this DAC still only does 24/96 via USB (not sure if aysnch or not) but 24/192 direct (S/DIF, etc).  Phil states early reviews are over the top, and the ones on the CA site are certainly that (pre-release demo sessions at CES, etc).   They should be for $10k, but we've all heard $10k mediocrity too, so for those with a very large digital budget, this is one to surely demo.   8)

** Light Harmonic has a new 32/384K DAC called the DaVinci ($10K)

http://www.lightharmonic.com/index.php/products

I first saw this DAC advertised at AXPONA.  I have an issue with it's banner that claims "world's first 384k USB DAC" as "I already got one"  (use Monty Python french guard voice from Holy Grail) with the M2Tech Young, as well as other production offerings like Antelope Gold, MSB Tech and Playback Designs (prototype, see below).  So...that leads me to an uneasy first impression, but maybe there is something "world first" about it that they can explain.  Or maybe the marketing dept is stretching some things (naw!!).

** Playback Designs MPD-3 DAC capable of DSD and 24/384k playback via USB, for less money ($5k)than their MPS-5.  There is also a player (MPS-3). 

http://www.playbackdesigns.com/mpd3.html

Now...this may well be the world's first DSD USB DAC (also capable of DXD levels of performance at 24/384k and below).  I spent some time with these guys.  Jonathan Tinn chatted with me at THE Show in Vegas in January and plans to have this DAC out by the end of this month.  Also, the very high level USB capability will be a retrofit upgrade for their Series 5 customers.  What I heard at THE Show was sublime, and that with 24/352k (DXD) stuff. 

** REGA releases the REGA -DAC, a $995 traditional DAC that carries the REGA quality and sound at a reasonable price

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/DAC.htm

I am disappointed that it's USB is a simple 16/48 maximum, which means spending more $$ for a computer converter (USB to S/PDIF)  but Sam Tellig and others have said it's S/PDIF sounds very good.   It will have to compete with the, frankly, tremendous sounding EE DAC at $750 which also allows tube rolling or solid state output.  Competition is good!!
« Last Edit: 22 Apr 2011, 12:14 am by ted_b »

golfugh

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #1 on: 19 Apr 2011, 03:40 pm »
Here's another that has peaked my interest - still very little info available (short threads on CA).

Aesthetix Pandora  http://www.aesthetix.net/introducing.php

Great thread Ted!

werd

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #2 on: 19 Apr 2011, 03:50 pm »
The Nuforce looks pretty nifty  :thumb:

ted_b

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #3 on: 19 Apr 2011, 03:53 pm »
Here's another that has peaked my interest - still very little info available (short threads on CA).

Aesthetix Pandora  http://www.aesthetix.net/introducing.php

Great thread Ted!

Mark , yeah forgot about that one.  Great brand, tube hybrid, nice specs.  Will add to top post.  Thanks.

werd

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #4 on: 19 Apr 2011, 04:12 pm »
Mark , yeah forgot about that one.  Great brand, tube hybrid, nice specs.  Will add to top post.  Thanks.

Nice weight on this one.....

eclein

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #5 on: 19 Apr 2011, 04:31 pm »
Virtue Audio has a DAC in the works also...

Audioclyde

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #6 on: 19 Apr 2011, 04:33 pm »
The AMR DAC looks like it has lots of  things I like!!! :o

Randy

mfsoa

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #7 on: 20 Apr 2011, 12:05 am »
I've been trying to find info on the new Classe CP-800.
Although mainly a preamp, it also has a ton of digital inputs and asynch USB to feed its internal DAC.

It also has subwoofer outs, some manner of parametric EQ, and looks cool.

I think it lists for $5K or $5.5K

-Mike

Phil A


jimdgoulding

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #9 on: 20 Apr 2011, 01:01 am »
I don't have much to offer except to say that EMM makes at least one SOTA DAC that I've heard at some length.  Two friends have or have had one and I'm going to 'timztunes' house soon to get treated to a third.

jhm731

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #10 on: 20 Apr 2011, 01:03 am »
Good site for what's new in the digital audio world:

http://www.digitalaudioblog.com/

ted_b

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #11 on: 20 Apr 2011, 01:17 am »
I don't have much to offer except to say that EMM makes at least one SOTA DAC that I've heard at some length.  Two friends have or have had one and I'm going to 'timztunes' house soon to get treated to a third.

EMM DACs are well-known and been out for many years.  I've heard most of them (three stacked for Ray Kimber's Isotek multichannel demos at RMAF and CES were amazing; those guys got to know me :) ) and they are killer, sonically and on the wallet.  :) 

HOWEVER, This thread is about DACs that have been recently announced in 2011.  I have not enough time, space (or interest) to list all the DACs that currently are in production.   :o

rodge827

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #12 on: 20 Apr 2011, 01:20 am »
Here is one that I have been looking into by a company right here in New Jersey. :thumb:

http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d1_overview

Chris

etcarroll

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #13 on: 20 Apr 2011, 02:03 am »
Here is one that I have been looking into by a company right here in New Jersey. :thumb:

http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d1_overview

Chris
I'd like to try the d1 with my Duet.

Phil

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #14 on: 20 Apr 2011, 02:29 am »
How about this one? 

http://jeffrowland.com/websitepublisher/aeris-dac-overview_gallery.html?PHPSESSID=30b9d16966c45376f22f8ecc3381512c

One beta tester reported that it provided an OMG experience. 


rodge827

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #15 on: 20 Apr 2011, 02:42 am »
I'd like to try the d1 with my Duet.

I'm sure it would sound good  :D.

I hope to have mine by the end of next week.

rodge827

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #16 on: 20 Apr 2011, 03:12 am »
 
** Anedio is a new company with another ESS Sabre DAC, the $1270 D1

http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d1_overview

I have several emails (4+) into this company since December, but not one returned yet.  The under-$1500 DAC market is a huge one and I assumed they'd be a player with what's on paper so far.  Let's hope they get reviewed soon.  I would have loved to eval this DAC, but I give up.  Let us know if anyone hears one.


Ted,
I've written them and get responses in about 2-3 days. I usually forget what I was asking by then, but James does respond. (Probably a Jersey ting! Ya know what I mean!)
There are a couple of reviews on the sight, 2 are semi pro-reviews and one owner review that reads more like a pro.
30 day MBG!
I'll report what I hear in a few weeks.

Chris 

catastrofe

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #17 on: 20 Apr 2011, 03:34 am »
M2Tech Vaughn?

ted_b

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Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #18 on: 20 Apr 2011, 03:39 am »
M2Tech Vaughn?

I have the Young in demo (although it's in Italy right now being updated/repaired) but Marco says the Vaughn is still in development.  No press release yet, and frankly, since the Young experiences, I would like to see M2Tech put a lot more time into alpha testing to iron out issues, rather than hope the Vaughn gets released early.  I mean, Marco and company have been responsive but the feel is one of field beta testing.

highfilter

Re: 2011 New DAC releases: the Year of the DAC?
« Reply #19 on: 20 Apr 2011, 04:27 am »
The DaVinci DAC by Light Harmonic - http://www.lightharmonic.com/index.php/products

Asynchronous USB up to 384K and looks like Darth Vader created it. Looks interesting.