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DACs — Audio Note DAC 1.1x/II
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Audio Note DAC 1.1x/II
Image source — © Audio Note
Audio Note (UK) builds the DAC 1.1x/II as a converter with a valve output stage, and it belongs to the company's Level 1 group, where the criteria focus on the grade of materials and parts used. Audio Note says the unit was developed for listening results rather than for measured specifications. A Signature edition of the same model adds upgraded parts, among them Audio Note (UK) tantalum resistors.
Key specs that matter
An 18-bit Analog Devices AD1865N chip performs the conversion, and the valve complement is two ECC88 (6DJ8) double triodes. Two digital inputs are fitted, an RCA socket at 75 ohm for S/PDIF and an XLR at 110 ohm for AES/EBU, and the converter locks to sample rates of 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz. The analogue output is single-ended on RCA with an output impedance of 600 ohm and a reference level of 3.2 V RMS, and the two channels match to better than 0.2 dB. Power draw is 20 W. The case measures 145 mm high, 300 mm wide and 415 mm deep and weighs 5.1 kg. Fascia options are black acrylic and anodised aluminium.
Engineering and use context
Audio Note leaves out the processing found in most converters - there is no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. The company argues that such corrective measures interfere with the time-domain behaviour of the signal, so the incoming data stream is only reformatted to let the chip interpolate, and all filtering is done afterwards in the analogue domain. With the digital filtering needed for oversampling removed, Audio Note says it is easier to keep wide-band phase and frequency behaviour coherent in analogue circuitry. The company states that it chose the highest grade of the AD1865 on the basis of its own listening comparisons. The mains rocker switch is on the rear panel, and a red LED shows when the unit is on. A grounding post allows the chassis to be tied to the preamplifier or to the transport ground if hum appears. The valves carry a three-month warranty.
Pairing
The converter takes its signal from a CD transport, and the line-level output connects to a preamplifier line input. Audio Note asks for the digital source to be switched on first and the converter afterwards.
Alternatives
The Audio Note DAC 2.1x uses the same AD1865N chip, inputs and chassis size but meets the Level 2 criteria of the range.
Key specs that matter
An 18-bit Analog Devices AD1865N chip performs the conversion, and the valve complement is two ECC88 (6DJ8) double triodes. Two digital inputs are fitted, an RCA socket at 75 ohm for S/PDIF and an XLR at 110 ohm for AES/EBU, and the converter locks to sample rates of 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz. The analogue output is single-ended on RCA with an output impedance of 600 ohm and a reference level of 3.2 V RMS, and the two channels match to better than 0.2 dB. Power draw is 20 W. The case measures 145 mm high, 300 mm wide and 415 mm deep and weighs 5.1 kg. Fascia options are black acrylic and anodised aluminium.
Engineering and use context
Audio Note leaves out the processing found in most converters - there is no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. The company argues that such corrective measures interfere with the time-domain behaviour of the signal, so the incoming data stream is only reformatted to let the chip interpolate, and all filtering is done afterwards in the analogue domain. With the digital filtering needed for oversampling removed, Audio Note says it is easier to keep wide-band phase and frequency behaviour coherent in analogue circuitry. The company states that it chose the highest grade of the AD1865 on the basis of its own listening comparisons. The mains rocker switch is on the rear panel, and a red LED shows when the unit is on. A grounding post allows the chassis to be tied to the preamplifier or to the transport ground if hum appears. The valves carry a three-month warranty.
Pairing
The converter takes its signal from a CD transport, and the line-level output connects to a preamplifier line input. Audio Note asks for the digital source to be switched on first and the converter afterwards.
Alternatives
The Audio Note DAC 2.1x uses the same AD1865N chip, inputs and chassis size but meets the Level 2 criteria of the range.
Specifications
Model name
DAC 1.1x/II
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
Ananloue Devices AD1865N
DSD compatability
N/A
Parameters
up to 18 bit / 96 kHz
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)
3.2
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
110
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
75
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
600
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
145 x 300 x 415
Weight (kg)
5.1
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