ЦАПы — Vincent DAC-1MK

The Vincent DAC-1MK is a separate D/A converter from the powerLine series of the German brand. It is the revised successor to the earlier DAC-1, and Vincent names changes to both sound quality and functionality over that model. The unit has no disc drive, amplifier stage for loudspeakers or network connection, and its task is limited to turning digital signals from other devices into an analogue line output. Black and silver fronts are available.

Key specs that matter

An ESS ES9038 decoder performs the conversion. The USB input takes PCM at up to 32 bit and 384 kHz as well as DSD256, whereas the optical and coaxial inputs stop at 24 bit and 192 kHz for PCM and DSD64 for DSD. Vincent gives a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 0.5 dB and total harmonic distortion below 0.0004 percent. Signal to noise exceeds 95 dB, dynamic range is above 100 dB and channel separation tops 90 dB. Line output is 2.5 V, and maximum power consumption is 35 W. The case is 430 mm wide, 79 mm high and 343 mm deep, and the weight is 5.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

After decoding, the signal is handled in a fully balanced circuit all the way to the outputs. The power supply uses a transformer with a double winding, one reserved for the analogue part and the other for the digital part, so the two sections do not share a supply. Vincent fits capacitors from WIMA and Nichicon. The digital inputs are one USB, one optical and one coaxial socket, and the analogue signal leaves through a stereo RCA pair and a stereo XLR pair. Supported file types are MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, ALAC, FLAC, APE and WAV plus DSD. Two 3.5 mm jacks carry 12 V trigger signals so that standby can be coordinated with other components. The front panel holds a mains switch, a warm-up LED that flashes for up to 30 seconds after switch-on until the unit is ready, and an input selector knob with an LED for each of the three inputs. The mains supply is rated for 220 to 240 V AC, a selector allows a change to 110 V, and the fuse has to be replaced when the voltage is switched.

Pairing

The DAC-1MK needs a source with a digital output, for example a computer on the USB port. Amplifiers fitted with balanced XLR inputs can be driven from the matching output, whereas units offering only RCA line inputs use the unbalanced pair.

Alternatives

The Vincent DAC-700 is a tubeLine converter with a tube output stage, six digital inputs including AES and DSD512 support through USB.