Latest DACs – March 2022 Ranking

07/03/202207/03/2022 hifinext.com 421 Views DAC

Digital-to-analog converters are perhaps the fastest growing segment of audio equipment today. So, against the backdrop of a generational change of these devices, you can really get confused. Today we have collected for you the best of the new products in the DAC segment – and formed a visual selection in order of increasing cost. Welcome to the world of modern digital sound.

iFi Audio ZEN DAC Signature V2

The widely acclaimed entry-level iFi Audio ZEN DAC Signature has been upgraded to version V2 with a 16-core XMOS chip. The device uses a proprietary True Native DAC circuit, is equipped with a precision clock and works with signals up to chic 32/384. Excellent performance characteristics coexist with a very impressive sound – you can’t even believe that a baby weighing half a kilo can give out such a sound.

iFi Audio ZEN DAC Signature V2 Specifications

Input USB3.0 B Socket (USB2.0 compatible)
Formats PCM (384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz) DSD (256/128/64), DXD(384/352.8kHz), MQA (Decoder)
DAC Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown
Outputs Balanced 4.4 mm UnBAL RCA 2V-6.2V max. (variable) / 4.2V (fixed) 1V-3.3V max. (variable) / 2.1V (fixed)
Zout <= 200 Ohm <= 100 Ohm
SNR <-117 dB(A) @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
DNR >117 dB(A) @ -60dBFS (BAL/SE)
THD+N <0.0011% @ 0dBFS (BAL/SE)
Power Consumption No Signal ~0.5W Max Signal ~2.5W
Dimensions 158(w) x 117(d) x 35(h) mm 6.2″ x 4.6″ x 1.4″
Weight 505g / 1.11lbs

Price: $299.00

Teac UD-505-X

The Teac UD-505-X combines a digital-to-analog converter and a high-quality headphone amplifier in one body. The model uses state-of-the-art ESS Technology ES9038 Q2M chips in a symmetrical configuration (one for each channel), achieves the highest signal reception rates (up to 32/768) and has a record low level of distortion. The sound of the device is very coherent and clear.

Teac UD-505-X Specifications

Dual mono structure with one ESS Technology ES9038Q2M converter each for the left and right channelDSD 2.8M/5.6M/11.2M/22.5M Hz
Hi-Res audio playback supporting 22.5MHz and PCM 768kHz/32-bit PCM
Along with a new diamond buffer circuit, this model features a 4.4mm 5-pin Pentaconn headphone jack that supports both balanced drive and active ground drive.
Fully balanced analog volume circuitry with high-precision TEAC QVCS volume control
5-pin 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone jack supporting both balanced drive and active ground drive with a newly designed diamond buffer circuit
24.5MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM 7 types of PCM digital filters
Newly developed “Stressless Foot” design with three support points Semi-floating design top
Bluetooth® receiver with support for LDAC™ and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD
10MHz external clock input
Two integrated clocks for 44.1kHz and 48kHz frequencies
USB transmission technology with four transmission modes for different sound characters
Free TEAC HR Audio Player for Windows/Mac

Price: $1850

Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3

The Matrix Audio X-SABER has been radically redesigned in version 3 with MQA support, a new chassis, and full streamer functionality via Gigabit Ethernet or 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. There is also Roon Ready certification, as well as built-in Tidal and Spotify clients. The stock Crystek CCHD-950 clock generator can be disabled and an external device enabled. The chip is chosen proven, ES9038PRO – and the sound of Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 pleasantly amazes with its muscles and drive.

Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 Specifiations

CPU NXP i.MX 6Quad 4x Cortex-A9 @1.2 GHz
D/A Chip ES9038PRO
Clock Source Crystek CCHD-950
Coaxial & Optical PCM 16-24 Bit /44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz DSD 2.8 MHz (DoP)
IIS LVDS:
PCM 16-32 Bit /44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz, 705.6 kHz, 768 kHz DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz (DoP) DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4 MHz (Native)
USB Audio:
PCM 16-24 Bit /44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz, 705.6 kHz, 768 kHz MQA 16-24 Bit /44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz (DoP) DSD 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4 MHz (Native)
XLR:
SNR: >-134 dB THD+N: <0.00010%@1k, <0.00025%@20Hz-20 kHz Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20 kHz ±0.05 -3 dB@86 kHz Channel Crosstalk: >-151 dB Output Level: 4.8 VRMS@0dB
RCA:
SNR: >-128 dB THD+N: <0.00015%@1k, <0.00025%@20Hz-20 kHz Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20 kHz ±0.05 -3 dB@86 kHz Channel Crosstalk: >-138 dB Output Level: 2.4 VRMS@0dB
LAN 10/100/1000 Mbps
WLAN 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
WLAN 2.4 GHz / 5 GHzWeight 3.4 kg (7.49 pounds)

Price: $2999

Ayre QX-8

Another DAC combined with a streamer is the Ayre QX-8 Base. Of course, all the company’s favorite technologies are involved – a balanced zero-feedback output stage, an Ayres digital filter that suppresses jitter, and an AyreLock linear power supply. The ESS ES9038Q2M chip is responsible for the conversion, and much more expensive competitors can envy the liveliness of the sound of the device.

Ayre QX-8 Specifications

Audio Inputs:
USB: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz PCM 16, 20, 24 bits DSD64 and DSD128 (as DoP)
Optical/SPDIF/AESEBU: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz PCM 16, 20, 24 bits DSD64 (as DoP)
Network: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz PCM 16, 20, 24 bits DSD64 (as DoP)
Outputs:
Line Output: 4.5 Vrms balanced, 2.25 Vrms single-ended
Headphone Output: 9.0 Vrms balanced, 4.5 Vrms single-ended
XLR Input Polarity:
Pin 1 = Ground Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive) Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)
Power Consumption 60 watts in operating mode
Dimensions 17.25″ W x 13.00″ D x 4.5″ H (44cm x 33cm x 11.5cm)
Weight 12.5 pounds (5.7 kg)

Price: $4950

Soulnote D-2

Japan’s high-end DAC, the Soulnote D-2, operates in the widest band from 2 to 120,000Hz and has a measly 0.008% THD. Four ESS Technology ES9038PRO chips work under the hood, and the mass of the device reaches a solid 17kg. From the very first chords, the Soulnote D-2 sound impresses with its accuracy and resolution – there are simply no questions about the adequacy of the price tag.

Soulnote D-2 Specifications

Input format (USB) PCM, DSD (DoP v1.1, ASIO native) (Coaxial / AES / EBU) PCM, DSD (DoP v1.1)
Supported sampling frequencies (USB) up to 768kHz (PCM) / up to 22.6MHz (DSD) (Coaxial / AES / EBU) Maximum 192kHz (PCM) /2.8MHz (DSD64 DoP v1.1)
Number of PCM quantization bits (USB) 24bit, 32bit (Coaxial / AES / EBU) 16bit, 24bit
Digital input USB (Type B), coaxial 2 system (SPDIF), AES / EBU 2 system
Analog output XLR 1 system, RCA 1 system
Analog output level (XLR) 5.6Vrms (RCA) 2.8Vrms
Frequency characteristics 2Hz ~ 120kHz (+ 0 / -1dB) S/N ratio 110dB
Total harmonic distortion 0.008% (NOS/176.4kHz)
Power supply voltage AC100V 50 / 60Hz
Power consumption 56W (J60065)
Maximum external dimensions Body: 430 (W) x 160 (H) x 410 (D) mm
Weight about 17kg

Price: $5250

Aqua Acoustic Formula xHD Rev. 2

The top of the line Aqua Acoustic Formula xHD Rev. 2 DAC uses Optologic DAC’s proprietary conversion technology – four discrete R2R matrices and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) with galvanic isolation on optocouplers and additional magnetic isolation are involved. There is no digital filtering – as a result, in terms of transparency and openness, it is difficult to put even a twice as expensive device next to Aqua Acoustic Formula DACxHD.

Aqua Acoustic Formula xHD Rev. 2 Specifications

Digital to analog conversion type Proprietary Optologic D/A conversion system Pure R2R ladder – FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) based without digital filter
Supported Native Sample Rates AQlink / I2S serial bus – USB PC Audio : 44.1kHz to 768kHz PCM up to 24 bits DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 Supports Native DSD via USB and DoP on all inputs
DAC architecture Multibit sign magnitude R2R ladder (upgradable)
Asynchronous USB (High Speed) USB Audio Class 2 with Type B connector
Digital Receiver PLL (phase locked loop) technology 128 or 256 FS internally selectable
AQlink (I2S bus) LVCMOS level
Oversampling factor 1x
Digital inputs:
– RJ45 AQlink (I2S serial bus) – PCM 24 bit / 768kHz – DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 via DoP – BNC coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – USB port – PCM 24 bit / 768kHz – DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 Modular input: – AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – AT&T (ST Fiber) – PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP – Optical TOSLINK – PCM 24 bit / 96kHz – DSD64 via DoP
Analogue Outputs UNBAL 2 RCA Output 2.4 V RMS BALANCED ( passive transformer’s symmetrical ) 2 XLR Output : 3.8V RMS
Output Impedance 10 ohm RCA – 600 ohm XLR
Load Impedance 10 kohm (min.) RCA – 600 ohm XLR
Frequency Response 20Hz to 22kHz +0.5dB/-0.5dB
Frequency Response 20Hz to 22kHz +0.5dB/-0.5dBTHD + N 0,016% at 1kHz 0dB
Main processor STM-ARM microcontroller
Power Consumption 100-115V / 220-240V; 50 or 60Hz – 58VA

Price: $12750

Kalista The DreamPlay DAC

The high-end Kalista The DreamPlay DAC is housed in the company’s traditional methacrylate case and rests on an aluminum chassis. The system is built on a dual principle – you can choose to work through the dual chip AK4395, or switch to AK4493. The Elektra external power supply provides twelve individual circuits. The sound of Kalista The DreamPlay DAC clearly shows what is brilliant and gloss.

Kalista The DreamPlay DAC Specifications

4,3″ colour touch screen
2 D/A converters 24bits/192 kHz
2 D/A converters 32bits/384 kHz
Switchable between DAC lines
digital inputs 44,1 – 192 kHz : S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink
Asynchronous USB asynchrone
Analog output RCA / XLR
Switchable from solid state to tube output
Elektra power supply with 12 regulation lines
Weight/dimensions of the DAC : 15kg/450x105x435 mm
Weight/dimensions of Elektra : 15kg/450x115x435 mm

Price: $48000

Our top 10 DACs 2021-2022 rating here.

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