Tag Archives: Digital-to-analog converters
The following is a press launch issued by PS Audio.
Boulder, Colorado, April 6, 2023 – At AXPONA 2023 PS Audio will probably be showcasing all kinds of its high-end audio lineup together with the award-winning flagship aspen FR30 loudspeaker, the brand new FR20 speaker, the distinctive PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2, the ultimate-performance BHK Signature Mono 600 energy amplifiers and extra. The audio system and parts will probably be demonstrated utilizing high-resolution music from PS Audio’s acclaimed Octave Records label, and different high-res sources.
The exhibit will even function a preview of the upcoming PS Audio AirLens, a flexible high-resolution music streamer with modern options comparable to 100% galvanic isolation for noise-free efficiency from community audio, and a full vary of connectivity choices.
As a thanks to AXPONA 2023 attendees, PS Audio will probably be providing 20 p.c off urged US retail pricing on most merchandise (besides audio system, the Sprout100, the DirectStream DAC MK2, and energy cords).
Winner of the 2022 Ultra-High-End Loudspeaker of the Year award from The Absolute Sound, the aspen FR30 is a chic 3-way floorstanding tower that includes terribly low-distortion planar-magnetic and dynamic drivers and a number of revolutionary applied sciences to ship outstanding musical realism. (SRP: $29,999.00 USD)
The PerfectWave DirectStream DAC MK2 contains a host of newly-developed PS Audio applied sciences to ship distinctive sonic excellence in digital audio playback, together with FPGA gate array processing, fully-balanced operation and compatibility with PCM sources as much as 705.6 kHz and DSD 256. The DirectStream DAC MK2 additionally features as a digital preamp with quantity management. (SRP: $7,999.00 USD)
The new aspen FR20 loudspeaker brings the magic of the FR30 into extra peoples’ properties. Designed for extra modestly-sized rooms, the FR20 incorporates the applied sciences and engineering developments of its bigger sibling, together with symmetrical push-pull midrange and high-frequency drivers and full-range frequency response, in a smaller configuration. (SRP: $18,999.00 USD)
The BHK Mono 600 energy amplifier is the best amplifier ever created by PS Audio. The closing product to be designed in collaboration with the legendary Bascom H. King, the fully-balanced BHK Mono 600 delivers 600 watts of energy into 8 ohms (1,500 watts into 4 ohms), and contains a vacuum-tube enter stage working at the side of an unique N-channel MOSFET output stage. (SRP: $32,498.00 USD)
A bunch of extra PS Audio merchandise will probably be on exhibit together with the corporate’s standard-setting PowerPlant energy regenerators, the ultimate-performance BHK Signature Preamplifier, the PerfectWave SACD Transport, and plenty of extra.
These merchandise will probably be demonstrated at AXPONA 2023 at Room Schaumburg A within the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL, April 14 – 16, 2023.
The publish PS Audio to Exhibit Flagship aspen FR30 Loudspeaker and High-End Audio Components at AXPONA 2023 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Tom Martin opinions the dCS Lina Ring DAC and Master Clock, going in-depth to to dCS’s strategy to resistor alignment, the significance of timing, and naturally the ability dCS brings to system enhancement.
The put up dCS’s Lina Ring DAC and Master Clock Review appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
PrimaLuna EVO 100
$3395
With candy, correct midrange sonics and durable development that ought to final a very long time, this mid-priced tube DAC has a stout tube-rectified energy provide for every channel. While that’s uncommon for a DAC, it assures dynamic vary will likely be broad and dynamic shifts lightning quick. Perhaps the EVO 100 is lacking the very deepest lows and highest highs, however there’s not a lot else to quibble about. VF, 300
Bryston BDA-3.14
$4195
The purpose of the BDA-3.14 was easy in concept, however more difficult in follow—so as to add a streaming operate to the BDA-3 platform whereas retaining the identical excessive sound high quality because the BDA-3. Reviewer Steven Stone thinks Bryston’s efforts have been profitable. The DAC part for the BDA-3.14 is constructed round a pair of AK4490 chips, similar to that of the BDA-3. Instead of constructing a server from scratch Bryston started with a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer as its Internet gateway system. Why a Pi? Because it really works reliably and has wonderful and persevering with assist from Pi. In brief, the BDA-3.14 is a first-class part that could possibly be the middle of any high-performance digital audio system. SS, 309
Denafrips Terminator II
$4900
Denafrips is finest recognized for its personal line of R-2R DACs, wherein the Terminator presently sits second from the highest, eclipsed solely by the Terminator Plus. The Terminator handles PCM as much as a sampling frequency of 384kHz, and DSD as much as 11.2MHz (DSD256) in native mode. Both RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs are offered. The analog voltage sign is output instantly with out a buffer or achieve stage, which places the accountability on the matching preamp to offer satisfactory achieve and drive sign. Sonically, anticipate a tonally impartial and dynamic presentation. A real reference and presently DO’s favourite DAC. DO, 316
Lampizator Baltic 3
$5975
This ultra-tweaky tube primarily based DAC from Poland options tubes within the audio circuit in addition to within the energy provide. The Baltic 3’s replica of timbre is exemplary, each with respect to accuracy and determination of refined harmonics. While it’s significantly robust at imaging and soundstaging and at resolving, layering, and spatially defining complicated musical shows (e.g. symphonies, bands, or complicated recordings), it’s simply as beguiling on recordings with minimal devices or solo vocals. Reproduction throughout the frequency vary is deep, broad, and full, from string bass or bass drums within the decrease octaves to the extension and shimmer of cymbals and bells within the higher registers. While all these attributes are correct in describing the Baltic 3, for a possible buyer I feel it’s extra significant to say that it creates such immersive, beguiling, and interesting experiences. SSc, 323
PS Audio DirectStream
$5999 ($6899 with Bridge II)
Sometimes it’s good to begin over from scratch when designing a brand new part. That’s what designer Ted Smith did—he began from the premise that DSD recordings sound good and constructed a DAC round that premise. PS Audio’s Paul McGowan heard a prototype, beloved it, and agreed to construct it. VF thought it was simply the perfect digital sound he’d heard, however the DAC wants tons—most likely 500 hours—of break-in. VF, 245
Chord Hugo TT2/M Scaler
$6725/$5650
The Hugo TT employs a proprietary and complicated “long-tap” digital filter that reportedly leads to waveforms from standard-resolution sources as correct as these of hi-res ones. The DAC part can also be customized and helps PCM as much as 768kHz and as much as DSD512. The Hugo TT sounds very good by itself, however the efficiency is taken up a number of notches with the addition of the Hugo M scaler, which upsamples all incoming alerts to 768kHz with an FPGA. The outcome actually represents a brand new means ahead in digital audio—one the place commonplace 16/44 materials in each means sounds nearly as good as (or higher than) even the highest-resolution information. A technical and musical triumph. CM, 295
The publish 2023 Editors’ Choice: DACs $3,000 – $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
PrimaLuna EVO 100
$3395
With candy, correct midrange sonics and durable development that ought to final a very long time, this mid-priced tube DAC has a stout tube-rectified energy provide for every channel. While that’s uncommon for a DAC, it assures dynamic vary shall be vast and dynamic shifts lightning quick. Perhaps the EVO 100 is lacking the very deepest lows and highest highs, however there’s not a lot else to quibble about. VF, 300
Bryston BDA-3.14
$4195
The aim of the BDA-3.14 was easy in concept, however tougher in follow—so as to add a streaming perform to the BDA-3 platform whereas retaining the identical excessive sound high quality because the BDA-3. Reviewer Steven Stone thinks Bryston’s efforts had been profitable. The DAC part for the BDA-3.14 is constructed round a pair of AK4490 chips, identical to that of the BDA-3. Instead of constructing a server from scratch Bryston started with a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer as its Internet gateway machine. Why a Pi? Because it really works reliably and has wonderful and persevering with help from Pi. In brief, the BDA-3.14 is a first-class part that might be the middle of any high-performance digital audio system. SS, 309
Denafrips Terminator II
$4900
Denafrips is greatest recognized for its personal line of R-2R DACs, wherein the Terminator presently sits second from the highest, eclipsed solely by the Terminator Plus. The Terminator handles PCM as much as a sampling frequency of 384kHz, and DSD as much as 11.2MHz (DSD256) in native mode. Both RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs are supplied. The analog voltage sign is output instantly and not using a buffer or achieve stage, which places the duty on the matching preamp to supply enough achieve and drive sign. Sonically, count on a tonally impartial and dynamic presentation. A real reference and presently DO’s favourite DAC. DO, 316
Lampizator Baltic 3
$5975
This ultra-tweaky tube based mostly DAC from Poland options tubes within the audio circuit in addition to within the energy provide. The Baltic 3’s copy of timbre is exemplary, each with respect to accuracy and determination of delicate harmonics. While it’s significantly sturdy at imaging and soundstaging and at resolving, layering, and spatially defining advanced musical shows (e.g. symphonies, bands, or advanced recordings), it’s simply as beguiling on recordings with minimal devices or solo vocals. Reproduction throughout the frequency vary is deep, vast, and full, from string bass or bass drums within the decrease octaves to the extension and shimmer of cymbals and bells within the higher registers. While all these attributes are correct in describing the Baltic 3, for a possible buyer I feel it’s extra significant to say that it creates such immersive, beguiling, and interesting experiences. SSc, 323
PS Audio DirectStream
$5999 ($6899 with Bridge II)
Sometimes it’s good to begin over from scratch when designing a brand new part. That’s what designer Ted Smith did—he began from the premise that DSD recordings sound good and constructed a DAC round that premise. PS Audio’s Paul McGowan heard a prototype, liked it, and agreed to construct it. VF thought it was simply the very best digital sound he’d heard, however the DAC wants tons—most likely 500 hours—of break-in. VF, 245
Chord Hugo TT2/M Scaler
$6725/$5650
The Hugo TT employs a proprietary and complicated “long-tap” digital filter that reportedly leads to waveforms from standard-resolution sources as correct as these of hi-res ones. The DAC part can also be customized and helps PCM as much as 768kHz and as much as DSD512. The Hugo TT sounds very good by itself, however the efficiency is taken up a number of notches with the addition of the Hugo M scaler, which upsamples all incoming alerts to 768kHz with an FPGA. The outcome really represents a brand new means ahead in digital audio—one the place normal 16/44 materials in each means sounds nearly as good as (or higher than) even the highest-resolution recordsdata. A technical and musical triumph. CM, 295
The submit 2023 Editors’ Choice: DACs $3,000 – $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
In this evaluate, Tom discusses the Legacy Wavelet DAC/Preamp/DSP, the JL Audio Dominion subs, and the dilemma in dialing in DSP and subs.
The put up The Legacy Wavelet DAC/Preamplifier & JL Audio Dominion Subwoofers | DSP Dilemma & System Review appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
In this assessment, Tom discusses the Legacy Wavelet DAC/Preamp/DSP, the JL Audio Dominion subs, and the dilemma in dialing in DSP and subs.
The submit The Legacy Wavelet DAC/Preamplifier & JL Audio Dominion Subwoofers | DSP Dilemma & System Review appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
The Ideon Audio IΩN DAC utilizes significant trickle-down technologies and R&D gained from Ideon’s extensive work with its flagship Absolute Epsilon DAC. Most of the Epsilon DAC’s innovations and designs are found in the IΩN, which is also available with an optional analog preamplifier. As with all Ideon components, the IΩN DAC is a fully proprietary design, using audio technologies developed in-house—a bespoke, handcrafted product housing an innovative combination of high-performance design features and best-of-breed quality components. These include an in-house fully balanced design and an ultra-low-noise linear power supply. There’s native support and playback for all DSD and PCM formats and sample rates. Includes two balanced inputs.
Price: IΩN DAC, $17,900; IΩN + DAC/preamp, $22,000.
The post Future TAS: Ideon Audio IΩN DAC appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
T+A 200-Series Electronics
$4900/$5700/$6900
In my series on “Building a Compact Reference System,” I sung the praises of modular, multifunction electronics as a space-saving alternative to separate components. In creating the 200-Series, the folks at German audio powerhouse T+A had the same goal but a different idea about how to achieve it. What if, they thought, we could retain the benefits of separates—individual power supplies, physical isolation between digital and analog elements, the ability to buy only what you need—but conserve space by making those separates smaller? Thus was the petite 200-Series born. The series comprises a multi-format (CD, HDD, streamer) player, a Roon-ready DAC/pre with both digital and analog inputs, and a stereo power amp. Together, the stack runs $17.5k, which isn’t cheap but is still a deal for what it is. For instance, I’ve compared the 200-Series with my more than twice as dear CH Precision integrated amp, the I1, and the result was startling. The T+A stack was nearly indistinguishable from the far-costlier Swiss equivalent. The CH I1 does have a little more dynamic jump and slightly more fleshed-out tonality. But, boy, is it close.
Aside from sonics, the 200-Series components are achingly attractive—in a retro-audio sort of way—and feature myriad thoughtful touches. These include the ability to stick in a thumb drive, a technically correct (and excellent-sounding) BNC SPDIF input, and control connections between the components that allow the threesome to behave more or less as one. If I were searching in this price range for a compact, versatile electronics stack, I would look no further than the T+A 200-Series.
The post 2022 Golden Ear: T+A 200-Series Electronics appeared first on The Absolute Sound.