ЦАПы — ADMD Audio Line dac

The Line DAC is the entry model among the stand-alone converters from ADMD Audio, a German maker in Saarbrücken that operates as a division of ADM-Data GmbH, a firm formed by specialists in IT infrastructure, data recovery and industrial electronics. It sits below the ArcEdge DAC and is also the converter inside the Syntra System, where ADMD combines it with a pair of active loudspeakers. Buyers can order it with a wooden front panel or a resin one.

Key specs that matter

A fully discrete dual R-2R ladder converts PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz, and every digital input is limited to that rate. Connections for sources are USB in asynchronous mode (USB Audio 2.0), AES/EBU and TOSLINK, chosen with a selector switch on the back. The standard version has only RCA outputs, delivering 2 V RMS unbalanced from a 100 ohm source impedance. With 16-bit data the noise floor is better than -92 dB. Mains input is 230 V/50 Hz through an IEC inlet that carries the main power switch, and consumption is up to 30 W with a typical draw of 10 W. The case measures 450 x 360 x 100 mm and weighs 12 kg.

Engineering and use context

ADMD runs the ladder without oversampling or digital filtering, and describes its aim as an analogue-like result, supported by a precision clock structure and hand-selected parts. The ladder network uses only two resistor values, R and 2R, which is why the maker stresses tight resistor tolerances instead of the noise shaping used in sigma-delta chips. A second switch on the rear panel picks between a Flat filter mode and a Vintage mode. The chassis is a precision anti-resonant composite design of bent brushed aluminium, and on the RCA build a clear purple-blue acrylic front with a wave graphic and a milk-white acrylic back are held to the body by white elastic straps. The front carries a single illuminated power button and no display or indicators.

Pairing

The Line DAC plugs into any unbalanced line socket on a preamp or integrated amp, and that unit then sets the volume, since the front panel offers no level control. Within the Syntra System it feeds bi-amplified active speakers with analogue crossovers through a balanced input, with the DAC output matched to the speaker amplification by design. A computer on USB, a streamer with AES/EBU or a CD transport with optical output fills the source role.

Alternatives

The ADMD Audio ArcEdge DAC is the brand's higher converter, using a quad R-2R ladder with 24-bit/384 kHz input and both XLR and RCA outputs.