Стримеры — CAAS Digital Audio Streamer

The Digital Audio Streamer, or DAS, is the compact network player of CAAS Audio, the Yorkshire firm run by Carl and Neil Broomfield since 2006, and it forms the Digital series on its own, apart from the larger Elysian components. It combines a Roon Ready endpoint with a built-in converter and a fixed level analogue output, so it feeds a preamplifier or an integrated amplifier rather than driving power amps itself. CAAS lists TIDAL among the streaming services it plays, and the Roon link finds a Roon Core on the network without manual setup.

Key specs that matter

Network access is wired through an RJ45 port, and two USB sockets take a WiFi dongle for wireless use. A single coaxial S/PDIF input on RCA accepts an external digital source. The only analogue output is one RCA pair at a fixed 2 V RMS, taken from a 110 ohm source. Response is 10 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, THD stays below 0.03% at 1 kHz for a full scale 2 V output, and A-weighted noise is close to 100 dB down. Channel separation exceeds 90 dB, and DC offset at the output is held within 10 mV. The box stands 65 mm tall, 220 mm wide and 260 mm deep and weighs 2.8 kg, and power consumption stays below 20 W.

Engineering and use context

CAAS calls its converter HDAC, a hybrid discrete design. Each channel has its own 16-bit R-2R passive ladder network, laser trimmed and matched, and incoming data is upsampled to 176.4 kHz for two ladders working in parallel. The ladders are DC coupled to a discrete Class A buffer with no feedback, built from bipolar transistors, which CAAS names True Zero Feedback and which also gives the output its cable drive. Between the streaming computer and the ladders sits iTrans, a buffering and reclocking stage that moves data over a custom 8-wire parallel link instead of a standard S/PDIF or I2S connection, to keep jitter low. Eleven separate regulated supplies run from two 15 VA toroidal transformers. The front panel is CNC machined on five axes from aluminium and anodised silver or black.

Pairing

Without a volume control, the DAS goes into a spare line input of a preamp or an integrated amp, and its low source impedance drives normal interconnect lengths without trouble. CAAS names the DAS as a partner for the Elysian Pre-amplifier, which in turn drives the Elysian 100 mono-blocks. A Roon Core on a computer or server elsewhere on the network supplies the library.

Alternatives

The CAAS Elysian Audio Streamer adds a switched resistor volume stage, two analogue inputs and variable XLR and RCA outputs so it can feed power amplifiers directly.