multi-dac

Multi-channel DA converter with up to 6 channels

Product description

The ACOUSENCE multi-dac is a modularly configurable multi-channel converter system, technologically based on our well-known DA converters, optionally supplemented by an AD converter module of the highest quality. The main applications are systems with a digital crossover or multi-channel surround setups. In systems with a digital crossover, the AD converter acts as an outstanding interface for analogue sources such as record players or tape machines.

Configurations with 2, 4 or 6 DA converter channels, 4 DA converter channels plus 2 AD converter channels or 2 DA converter channels plus 2 AD converter channels can be realised. Devices that are initially not fully equipped can be upgraded at a later date.

On the analogue side, there are slim and straightforward signal paths implemented with the best components – in the audiophile sense. Analogue signal routing and processing are fully balanced. Our special purely passive analogue input stage is used for the AD converter: there are only two high-quality input transformers between the analogue inputs and the AD converter chip, i.e. no amplifier stages in the signal path before the actual converter. As with the dac-pre, the DA converters are available in two versions: “arfi-DAC” topology, i.e. a total of four DAC outputs generate the stereo signal, or “arfi-reference-DAC” topology, i.e. a total of eight DAC outputs generate the stereo signal in an ingenious way using transformers in the I/V stage. Our Femto-Clock-II is used in the clock section. This module also handles the clock distribution to the converter boards, thus ensuring the shortest possible signal paths and maximum precision. External sources connected via the AES/EBU interface achieve a level of precision that could otherwise only be achieved by using the internal clock generators.

In our view, all this together is the key to music in the sense of ACOUSENCE: natural sound, artistically captivating and emotionally moving music reproduction!

Gallery

Equipment and information

Femto-Clock II

The most important criterion for a converter between digital music data and analogue music is a time base that is as exact as possible. The analogue vibrations are stored digitally as many points in a coordinate system, so to speak. The Y-axis is the amplitude (volume), the X-axis is the time. The amplitude can therefore be defined as precisely as possible, but if the time base wobbles, there will inevitably be errors.

Arfi-DAC topology

There are various ideas circulating in the hi-fi sector about what the ideal DA converter should look like: NOS, R2R, Ladder and DSD of various clock rates. However, the delta-sigma principle has been widely accepted in the audio industry for decades, and experts have not really questioned it for a long time.

Fully balanced analogue signal processing

After the input stage, the audio signal remains balanced throughout until it reaches the power amplifiers. These output the signal symmetrically again, and then the output filters and speaker outputs are also symmetrical again. This results in a higher signal-to-noise ratio and greater immunity to interference of any kind.

Up to 3 digital inputs, different formats:

  • balanced 110Ω (AES/EBU) to RJ45 Ethercon socket or XLR, galvanically isolated, input voltage according to AES/EBU. Also accepts SPDIF via adapter (as special accessory).
  • unbalanced 75 Ω (SPDIF) to RCA or BNC socket, galvanically isolated, input voltage according to IEC.
  • optical in Toslink standard

 

Input format linear PCM 44.1 kHz; 48 kHz; 88.2 kHz; 96 kHz; 176.4 kHz; 192 kHz / 16 bit-24 bit

Frequency response: 20 Hz – 87 kHz

2, 4 or 6 analogue outputs, balanced, output level at 0dBfs or full scale: approx. 10dBu/2.5Vrms or at ‘+10dB’ 20dBu/7.8Vrms, impedance <40 Ohm (XLR)

 

Optional: 2 analogue inputs to the AD converter, transformer-balanced, level approx. +21 dBu max. for 0dBfs, impedance: >37kΩ

AD converter type: 24-bit multi-bit, delta-sigma

Sampling rates via external sync: 44.1kHz; 48kHz; 88.2kHz; 96kHz; 176.4kHz; 192kHz

Frequency response: 5 Hz – 85 kHz

 

Power supply:

shielded mains transformer + input filter

Input voltage EU version: 230 Volt, 50 Hz
Input voltage US version: 115 Volt, 60 Hz

 

Dimensions: 450x50x315mm (housing) or with feet 450x57x315mm (WxHxD)

Weight: 7kg

We reserve the right to make changes to technical data and equipment.

Press reviews

And this is what others say about us...
Andreas Wenderoth
Andreas Wenderoth
Image Hifi
„Musik in ihrem Gesamtzusammenhang erfahrbar machen …. das leistet er besser als jede andere Stereo-Endstufe, die ich bisher in meinem Hörraum hatte.“
Frank Hakopians
Frank Hakopians
fairaudio
… im eigenen Hörraum hat noch kein Musikserver-D/A- Wandler-Gespann entfesselter aufgespielt als mu-se und dac-pre reference.“
Marco Kolks
Marco Kolks
Hörerlebnis
„Der pow-amp zählt für mich – unabhängig von der Preisklasse – zu den besten Endstufen, die ich gehört habe.”
Ralph Werner
Ralph Werner
fairaudio
„… wenn Sie tonale Ehrlichkeit, hohe Auflösung und „Reinheit“ des Klangbildes schätzen und …nach einem Dynamik-Boost für Ihre Anlage suchen, sind Sie mit diesem Verstärker an der genau richtigen Adresse. Was für ein Debüt!“