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DACs — Allnic Audio D-15000 OTL/OCL
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Allnic Audio D-15000 OTL/OCL
Image source - (c) Allnic Audio
The Allnic Audio D-15000 Signature OTL/OCL is a valve-output DAC from Kang Su Park's Korean company and the successor to the D-10000. Allnic kept the idea of an analogue stage with neither output transformers nor coupling capacitors, but moved the converter to newer ESS silicon and added inputs for I2S and an external master clock. UK buyers pay GBP 25,000, and the D-15000 is sold with silver or black panels from Allnic.
Key specs that matter
Conversion runs on two ES9039PRO chips in dual-mono form, the standard version of the part rather than the MPRO variant that can render MQA. Over USB, 32-bit/768 kHz is the PCM ceiling, and native DSD reaches DSD512. AES/EBU and coaxial RCA inputs accept PCM up to 32-bit/192 kHz and DoP up to DSD128. An I2S input on an HDMI socket goes up to 768 kHz PCM and DSD1024. Single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs, one pair of each, deliver 1.75 V RMS from a 50 ohm source. Allnic quotes 20 Hz to 20 kHz flat, harmonic distortion under 0.1%, a signal-to-noise figure of 86 dB (CCIR, 1 kHz) and jitter of about 5 ps RMS. Its case, 13 kg in weight, measures 43 cm wide, 32 cm deep and 17 cm high.
Engineering and use context
Per channel, the valve circuit runs an ECF80/6BL8 triode-pentode at the input, a 12AU7/ECC82 as the phase splitter and a pair of 6C19P triodes at the output, so the unit carries four 6C19P in total. The 6C19P is a valve that also appears in OTL power amplifiers, and here the valves handle the impedance match between the converter chips and the preamplifier input. The ES9039PRO uses the HyperStream IV architecture, and its user-selectable digital filter is not exposed on the D-15000. Timing comes from an internal OCXO rated at plus or minus 5 ppb, and a BNC socket accepts a 10 MHz reference from an external clock. The I2S pin assignment follows the PS Audio layout, which Audiobyte and Rockna also use. Outwardly the D-15000 resembles its predecessor, with a central group of valves and two balance meters.
Pairing
Its moderate output level and low output impedance match a preamplifier with a standard line input, and the balanced outputs allow longer runs to a fully balanced amplifier. Owners of a transport or streamer with an HDMI-type I2S output can bypass USB and S/PDIF altogether, provided the pinout matches. A master clock with a matching reference output can take over timing from the internal oscillator.
Alternatives
The Allnic Audio D-10000 OTL/OCL is the earlier valve DAC of the range, with dual ES9018K2M chips and no I2S or clock input.
Key specs that matter
Conversion runs on two ES9039PRO chips in dual-mono form, the standard version of the part rather than the MPRO variant that can render MQA. Over USB, 32-bit/768 kHz is the PCM ceiling, and native DSD reaches DSD512. AES/EBU and coaxial RCA inputs accept PCM up to 32-bit/192 kHz and DoP up to DSD128. An I2S input on an HDMI socket goes up to 768 kHz PCM and DSD1024. Single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs, one pair of each, deliver 1.75 V RMS from a 50 ohm source. Allnic quotes 20 Hz to 20 kHz flat, harmonic distortion under 0.1%, a signal-to-noise figure of 86 dB (CCIR, 1 kHz) and jitter of about 5 ps RMS. Its case, 13 kg in weight, measures 43 cm wide, 32 cm deep and 17 cm high.
Engineering and use context
Per channel, the valve circuit runs an ECF80/6BL8 triode-pentode at the input, a 12AU7/ECC82 as the phase splitter and a pair of 6C19P triodes at the output, so the unit carries four 6C19P in total. The 6C19P is a valve that also appears in OTL power amplifiers, and here the valves handle the impedance match between the converter chips and the preamplifier input. The ES9039PRO uses the HyperStream IV architecture, and its user-selectable digital filter is not exposed on the D-15000. Timing comes from an internal OCXO rated at plus or minus 5 ppb, and a BNC socket accepts a 10 MHz reference from an external clock. The I2S pin assignment follows the PS Audio layout, which Audiobyte and Rockna also use. Outwardly the D-15000 resembles its predecessor, with a central group of valves and two balance meters.
Pairing
Its moderate output level and low output impedance match a preamplifier with a standard line input, and the balanced outputs allow longer runs to a fully balanced amplifier. Owners of a transport or streamer with an HDMI-type I2S output can bypass USB and S/PDIF altogether, provided the pinout matches. A master clock with a matching reference output can take over timing from the internal oscillator.
Alternatives
The Allnic Audio D-10000 OTL/OCL is the earlier valve DAC of the range, with dual ES9018K2M chips and no I2S or clock input.
Specifications
Model name
D-15000 OTL/OCL
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
Dual Mono ES9039PRO
DSD compatability
N/A
Parameters
PCM up to 32bit/768kHz, Native DSD up to DSD512
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
430 × 320 × 170
Weight (kg)
13
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