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.phpMore info on their Circle here,
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=91621.0but 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/preamphttp://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htmMSRp 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.phpWith 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.htmlI 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 D1http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d1_overviewI 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.
** Light Harmonic has a new 32/384K DAC called the DaVinci ($10K)http://www.lightharmonic.com/index.php/productsI 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.htmlNow...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 pricehttp://www.rega.co.uk/html/DAC.htmI 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!!