ЦАПы — Core Audio DENPO

Core Audio Ltd., a Hungarian maker of digital audio equipment led by CEO Viktor Varadi, builds the DENPO DA converter. It was developed to match the parameters of the company's DAIDO music server and streamer, and Core Audio positions it as the most affordable DA converter in its range, aimed at buyers who would otherwise look at converters costing up to EUR 15,000. The standard version sells for EUR 8,000 in Silver Matt or Black Matt.

Key specs that matter

One ROHM BD34301 chip handles the conversion, from the Japanese MUS-IC series in a non-oversampling configuration, with no FPGA in the signal path. According to ROHM, this 32-bit stereo chip reaches a typical signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB and a typical THD+N of -115 dB. The DENPO accepts PCM from 16 bit and 44.1 kHz up to 24 bit and 384 kHz and plays DSD64 to DSD256 natively. DSD over PCM (DoP) is not provided, and MQA decoding is not supported. Digital inputs cover USB, I2S, TOSLINK, S/PDIF on BNC and AES/EBU, and the analogue signal leaves through RCA and XLR outputs.

Engineering and use context

The USB input is based on an XMOS interface followed by a separate USB reclocking unit, and a 10 MHz clock input on a 75 ohm BNC socket allows synchronisation with the KAGEN master clock from the same company, a unit that provides four clock outputs for several devices. The analogue output stage is built around op-amps that the owner is allowed to swap. Power comes from a fully linear supply split into seven sections, with independent lines for the digital circuits, the analogue circuits and the clock module of the DAC board, fed by a pair of separate transformers for the digital and analogue sides. A triple ground scheme is used to keep noise down. Internal wiring is UPOCC cable, and the circuitry sits in a rigid aluminium case with full RFI shielding.

Pairing

With both RCA and XLR outputs, the DENPO connects to single-ended or balanced preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers. The natural digital partner is the DAIDO server, and the KARUNA DDC from Core Audio converts USB to I2S, AES or S/PDIF for owners who prefer to feed the converter from a reclocked signal rather than straight USB. Computer or streamer users without such a bridge can simply use the USB input.

Alternatives

The Core Audio DENPO Reference DAC is the higher version of the same converter, keeping the input set and outputs and sold in the same two finishes.