MUSICAL DESIGN
DAC-1A / 1A20 / Signature / Platinum/Platinum Plus
Digital audio has finally come of age. If you are a fussy, analog LP only listener, you've finally found a digital product to enchant and entertain you. This is the story related over and over by just these sophisticated customers. Finally, in the DAC-1A, you have a product that honors the music and frees you to listen in fatigue-free bliss.
The Sound: HDCD®-encoded CDs are reproduced with all the benefits of the technology. All CDs are reproduced with a new level of naturalness and precision. DAC-1A speaks with authority and authenticity. Clarity and definition are stunning, but then so is warmth and atmosphere, reminding you of the live event. The bass reaches deep with a solid 'Wavefront' character. There is tremendous acoustical power and weight. The solid, dynamic "Wavefront" character reaches into the high end where the acoustic power and 'weight' of a ringing triangle provokes amazement. It's sum of sonic qualities reveals a striking sense of authenticity.
Technical: Incoming data is processed via a dedicated RS-422 Data Receiver. This stage shapes and cleans up the incoming signal, an important extra step rarely seen in DACs at any price. The main data receiver incorporates a De-Jitter PLL that attenuates jitter in the input data. Pacific Microsonics' HDCD® Digital Filter operates with 24-Bit precision. Conversion to analog is via multi-bit precision Digital to Analog Converters, not 1-bit types, in every model.
The Models: DAC-1A with dual 18-bit "ladder DACs". DAC-1A20 incorporates dual 20-bit Burr-Brown DACs. DAC-1A Signature is a stunning refinement of the DAC-1A20. It has an impressive array of BlackGate® capacitors, Soft-Recovery diodes and hand-selected parts, plus additional chassis damping. The Signature is transparent, dynamic and clear, yet sweet and full-bodied. DAC-1A platinum is the ultimate refinement of the Signature. It incorporates special "Platinum Grade" audiophile resistors in the analog section and power supply refinements. It is truly a "must hear" component. It has an unbelievable purity of sonic textures and a totally involving tonal naturalness that components without the "Platinum Grade" resistors simply cannot express. All four DAC-1A models offer the audiophile unmatched musical reproduction in their respective price ranges.
- Signature MODEL - with exotic parts. Incredible definition and clarity combined with sweetness and natural tonal balance
- PLATINUM VERSION - with exotic resistors and more. Sorry, there's no describing it. You must hear it!
- HDCD® Digital Filter - decodes HDCD recorded (encoded) software for enhanced dynamic range, normal CDs benefit from the filter's outstanding performance
- DE-JITTER CIRCUITRY - reduces jitter in data stream for greater purity
- UNIQUE 'CHARGE PUMP' ANALOG STAGE - passive integrator, single buffer/amplifier low pass filter, near perfect Phase Response, very low Group Delay, Superb Sound
- DISCRETE ENHANCED VOLTAGE REGULATORS - great sounding, non-feedback voltage regulators complement the 'Charge Pump' analog stage
- DUAL MULTI-BIT DACs - low distortion ladder type DACs with 3 dedicated 'audio' and 'digital' voltage regulators.
- DUAL POWER TRANSFORMERS - for separate analog and digital power supplies, nearly 30,000uf capacitance, 8 voltage regulators
- PHASE SWITCH - select 0 or 180° phasing for authentic reproduction of original event, allows compensation of the original recording
- INPUT SELECTOR - two Gold-Plated, Teflon® RCA inputs (Oxy-Free Copper on Signature & Platinum) - Silver BNC optional
- ANALOG OUTPUTS - one pair Gold-Plated, Teflon® insulated RCA jacks (Oxy-Free Copper on Signature and Platinum)
- IEC POWER CORD - allows you to interchange the standard power cord with after-market audiophile power cords
Suggested Retail Prices:
DAC-1A - $995.00
DAC-1A20 - $1195.00
DAC-1A Signature - $1995.00
DAC-1A Platinum - $2495.00
DAC-1A Platinum Plus - $2795.00
External dimensions: 15.5"W X 9"D X
2.75"H
HDCD® is a registered trademark of Pacific Microsonics, Inc.
Teflon® is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont