This will be the official LIO DAC 2.0 information and discussion thread.
LIO DAC 2.0 webpage:
http://www.vinnierossi.com/modules/dac2/DescriptionLIO DAC 2.0 is our new, statement-level LIO d/a converter module. It distinctly combines highly resolving, spacious and dynamic sound with a natural and emotionally engaging presentation. Music flows in an effortless manner that mirrors true analog playback with its seductive midrange and organic tonality.
All inputs feature isolation from the digital source, advanced FPGA buffering/re-clocking using premium “femto-clock” oscillators and ultra low-noise voltage regulation stages throughout. Pristine data feeds a dual-mono d/a implementation with independent, flagship AKM AK4497EQ converters per channel, each followed by a discrete Class-A output stage and positioned on dedicated circuit boards (a vertical stack of three separate boards minimizes both signal and power trace lengths).
LIO DAC 2.0 allows you to take full advantage of all your high resolution PCM (up to 32-bit / 768kHz) and DSD (up to native DSD512) music files, and also allows redbook CD files to sound rich and non-fatiguing with its NOS (non-oversampling), digital filterless playback mode. Add icing to the cake by combining LIO DAC 2.0 module with our optional tube output stages (including DHT PRE) to provide an even greater level of midrange richness and realism rarely found with digital playback.
Features & Specifications- Bit-perfect playback at sampling rates up to 768kHz (16, 24, or 32 bit compatible), as well up to DSD512. Sample rates are viewable from front panel display (
see note below)
- Dual-mono design, with one flagship AKM AK44497EQ d/a chip per channel
- Fully discrete, pure Class-A JFET analog outputs stage design with cascode constant-current source biasing (no opamps)
- On-board FPGA buffer and femto-reclocking circuitry negates effects of jitter. Isolated input stages.
- ‘NOS’ (non-oversampling) filter mode with digital filter bypass, as well as a Minimal Phase digital filter mode (selected via the “FILTER” button on the LIO Remote)
- Absolute polarity ‘normal’ / Absolute polarity ‘inverted’ (selected via the “PHASE” button on the LIO Remote)
- Numerous ultra-low noise, linear voltage regulators used throughout (for both digital and analog sections)
- “Silent” mute relays (*barely* an audible click from the board when changing tracks of a different sample rate)
- Inputs: 1 USB, 1 Coax (75-ohm BNC, with included RCA adapter) and 1 TOSLINK (optical). Connect up to three devices and switch between them via LIO front panel or the remote handset
- Output voltage: 2Vrms
- Output impedance: < 100 ohms
* Please note: If you already own LIO, in order to correctly display the following sample rates, it must be sent in for a free firmware update: PCM 705 and 768kHz, DSD256 and DSD512. LIO DAC 2.0 will work perfectly fine w/o the firmware update, but the sample rates listed above will not show correctly on LIO’s front panel display.
Supported bit/sampling rates- Mac OSX (no drivers needed):
PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352, 384, 705, and 768kHz (16, 24, and 32-bit)
DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 (DoP)
- Windows PC (with included driver):
PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352, 384, 705, and 768kHz (16, 24, and 32-bit)
DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (Native, or DoP)
- Using Sonore microRendu, ultraRendu, or SonicOrbiter SE:
PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352, 384, 705, and 768kHz (16, 24, and 32-bit)
DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 (Native, or DoP)
About LIO DAC 2.0’s USB isolation, buffer, and reclock circuitThe LIO DAC 2.0 USB input first goes through a galvanic isolation stage, and the USB 5V bus is only used as a 'signal' (not as a power source) to turn ON our "LIO power" to power the USB input section. The entire LIO DAC 2.0 is powered from a main linear regulated feed from LIO's internal ultracapacitor power, and then there are numerous linear voltage regulators used for each of the three PCBs.
After the isolation, the digital data is fed into to our FPGA buffer and reclock circuitry (using a XILINX FPGA implementation and femto-clocks, which are also powered by their own dedicated super regulators for this section). The reclocked digital output feeds the dual d/a chips (separate boards for L and R channels, which get their own linear regulators for the digital and analog sides of d/a chips and for their Class A analog output stages).
There is a lot going on in this design, and it has been in the works for well over a year now (and has taken up a ton of time and $$$). LIO DAC 2.0 does not have any design elements in common with the first “LIO DSD/PCM DAC” (except for the fact that it still has USB, coax, and optical inputs). LIO DAC 2.0 is a "statement level" design for the LIO, where I am confident that many will find it holds its own against dacs into the $10K range, and far beyond if you are using a DHT PRE after it!
Pricing, availability, and trade-in of LIO DSD/PCM dacPlease visit:
http://www.vinnierossi.com/modules/dac2/LIO DAC 2.0 is entering production and right
now is the time to pre-order and save $300!
- The pre-order price for the LIO DAC 2.0 module is $2995. After July 31, 2017, the regular price will be $3295.
- LIO DAC 2.0 pre-orders are estimated to ship end of August / early September.
- Trade-in of your LIO DSD/PCM DAC module for a
100% trade-in credit of $895.
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