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Standalone DACs

One way to enhance your system to upgrade your digital conversion to current specifications is to add a stand-alone Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC). This can be used for multiple reasons including some, or all, of the following:

Upgrading a CD player or CD transport
Upgrading and/or enabling sound from a PC, laptop or streamer
Upgrading sound from AV equipment or a games console
Giving multiple additional digital inputs to any hi-fi system
Pre-amp ability (with some models)
Adding a high-quality headphone amplifier (with some models)

After long listening tests we have decided to stock the following units which we feel offer exceptional value and performance, for their price points:

Aqua Acoustic Quality La Scala MK2 Optologic DAC

The La Scala DAC is not a product designed to become obsolescent as is the case with most of the products in the high-end digital world. After its first appearance in the flagship Formula DAC, the proprietary D/A conversion system developed by Aqua (Optologic), is now available for the La Scala Mk 2 DAC. The La Scala Mk 2 keeps the Valve/MOSFET hybrid circuitry, now utilising a pair of specially selected ECC81 tubes - a High-Frequency triode - for its extremely low noise and superb transparency. The sound is exceptionally precise in imaging, high resolution of fine details such as chord sustains and decays, very fast transients and dynamics. Tonal balance is accurate with little hint of colouration.

A natural partner with the Aqua La Diva Mk 2, or any other high quality CD transport, for physical replay.

Current MK 1 Owners, can upgrade their unit in order to reach to the revolutionary Optologic D/A conversion system. This upgrade improves every aspect: time coherence, micro-dynamics, timbre, and without losing that magic atmosphere for which La Scala is widely renowned.

Aqua Acoustic Quality La Scala MK2 Optologic DAC features
- High performance proprietary FPGA-based digital decoding without digital filter
- Galvanic and magnetic isolations between the FPGA and R2R ladder converter
- Discrete R2R ladder DACs with low noise precision resistors
- Jitter free digital interface AQlink (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to La Diva CD transport. In our experience S/PDIF inputs also offer exceptional sound quality, for those without an Aqua transport.
- Zero S/PDIF Jitter design, digital receiver stage PLL (phase locked loop) technology
- High-performance AQ Discrete Regulator (MOSFET, J-FET, BJT) for analogue and digital DAC’s power supply
- Valve/MOSFET direct coupling analogue stage in pure class-A without negative feedback
- MOSFET Virtual battery circuit for analogue anode supply delivers extremely stable power
- Regulated DC filament supplies with soft start for valve power up for extended life
- EtherCON RJ45 (AQlink) input connection, employs CAT6 cable can connect both RJ45 and professional etherCON RJ45
- 2 separate low noise power transformers, one for the analogue and one for the digital section
- MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board system
- Fully discrete analogue stage, not even a single Op-Amp is used
- Proprietary USB Firmware / driver:
- Apple MAC OS - Linux OS : USB asynchronous native support, no need to install drivers software
- Fully upgradeable asynchronous USB module with resolution 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz PCM up to 24 bit, DSD64, DSD128. Operates with computers running OSX 10.7 and above, WINDOWS 10, 8, 7 and XP ASIO - WASAPI bit perfect high-speed
- Digital phase selector on front panel
- High-quality parts selected for sound quality:
- 105° long life capacitors
- low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors
- double metallized film pulse capacitors
- ultra-fast diodes
- halogen free cables
- Aluminium anti-resonant cabinet with Nextel
- Designed and handmade in Italy
Inputs:
- RJ45 AQlink (I2S serial bus) - PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
- BNC coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
- RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
- AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
- USB port - PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
- AT&T (ST Fibre) - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP (optional)
Analog outputs:
- RCA - single-ended
- XLR - balanced (with transformer)

Aqua Acoustic Quality La Scala MK2 Optologic DAC in silver or black £7,460

La Scala MK2 Optologic DAC

Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. 2 Optologic DAC

The Formula xHD (revision 2) is the flagship DAC from Aqua Acoustic takes things up a level from the La Scala Mk 2 Optologic DAC by using better components which are summarised below. The soundstage is slightly larger in all dimensions, with an increase in the precision of imaging which is already very precise in the La Scala, and transients are delivered slightly faster.

The sound is very much the trademark Aqua Acoustic, retaining the qualities we admire in the La Scala, notably highly accurate tone and timbre to the instruments and voices, texture and detail, precise rhythmic timing and 3-dimensional soundstage – but the Formula xHD just does it better.

Differences between the Formula xHD and the La Scala
DAC:
- PCM 24 bit / 384 kHz and DSD 64 native (128 via DoP [DSD over PCM]) in the La Scala to bit perfect to 768 kHz PCM and DSD 512 native in the Formula.
- The use of a more powerful digital decoder, using a Proprietary hybrid 2-stage XMOS xCore XE216 plus FPGA, before being fed to the R2R resistor banks for the conversion.
- Fully-floating (isolated) USB decoding and clock generation by FPGA with proprietary code.
Processing capability increases from:
- PCM 24 bit / 384 kHz and DSD 64 native (128 via DoP [DSD over PCM]) in the La Scala to bit perfect to 768 kHz PCM and DSD 512 native in the Formula.
- The use of a more powerful digital decoder, using a Proprietary hybrid 2-stage XMOS xCore XE216 plus FPGA, before being fed to the R2R resistor banks for the conversion.
- Fully-floating (isolated) USB decoding and clock generation by FPGA with proprietary code.
The Output stage is transformer based and true-balanced within the Formula xHD, with the output stage itself being a sizable unit utilising many, very high quality, discrete components. The La Scala uses a simpler hybrid valve/MOSFET direct coupling analogue output stage, using discrete components.

Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD DAC Features
Features include:
- Proprietary Optologic D/A conversion system. Pure R2R ladder - FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) based without digital filter
- Galvanic and magnetic isolations between the FPGA and the four branches of the R2R ladder converter
- Jitter free digital interface AQlink PRO (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to La Diva cd transport
- Discrete R2R ladder DACs with low noise precision resistors
- Zero S/PDIF Jitter design, digital receiver stage PLL (phase locked loop) technology
- High-performance AQ Discrete Regulator (MOSFET, J-FET, BJT) for analogue and digital DAC’s power supply
- 2 separate low noise C-Core power transformers, one for the analogue and one for the digital section
- MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board platform
- Transformer-based true balanced audio output stage
- Fully upgradeable high-speed USB hybrid 2-stage XMOS xCore XE216 + FPGA, Fully-floating (isolated) USB decoding and clock generation by FPGA with proprietary code
- Proprietary USB Firmware / driver :
- Apple MAC OS - Linux OS: USB asynchronous native support, no need to install drivers software
- Digital phase selector on front panel
- High-quality parts selected for sound quality:
- Tantalum, solid-polymer OS-CON and double-metalized MJP capacitors
- low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors
- double metallized film pulse capacitor
- ultra-fast diodes
- halogen free cables
- Aluminium anti-resonant cabinet with Nextel
- RC5 IR remote controller (optional)
- Designed and handmade in Italy
Outputs
- UNBAL 2 RCA Output 2.4 V RMS
- BALANCED (using symmetrical passive transformer) 2 XLR Output : 3.8V RMS

Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. 2 in silver or black £14,980

The quality of the La Diva/La Scala now is already stunning... The effect is just what I was trying to achieve when I started to upgrade the system 4 years ago. This journey is made easier in that the source sound quality is so high, even at this early stage of running in. I cannot believe how good the PMC Cor amp and PMC 25/26 speakers sound. The increase in dynamic range alone is massive... I seem to now have a subwoofer added to the speakers.

- Mr BD from North London

Formula xHD DAC

Audio Analogue AADAC (DAC, Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier)

We have been enamoured with the fully balanced AADAC since it arrived. The sound quality of this unit is totally seductive offering a large and large soundstage, excellent image separation, fine detail and micro dynamics delivered with finesse. Bass is full bodied and extended, along with class leading dynamics and depth of image. The compact 22cm wide unit has been designed to match the style of the other Audio Analogue products and looks striking. A worthy partner with and CD transport but a natural partner for the AAdrive shown under the CD player part of this section.

Audio Analogue AADAC (DAC, Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier) features
- High performance D/A converter stage up to 32bit/768Khz using Sabre ES9038
- Amanero USB converter up to 32bit/384KHz and native DSD (up to 512)
- 7 different selectable digital filters
Digital Inputs:
- 2 x Coax
- 1 x Toslink Optical
- 1 x AES/EBU Balanced
- 1 x USB B
- Antenna for Bluetooth aptX

Sample Rates:
- SPDIF (up to 24bit/192KHz)
- Toslink (up to 24bit/96KHz
- AES/EBU (up to 24bit/192KHz) digital inputs
- Bluetooth aptX® high quality audio wireless input (up to 16bit/48KHz)
- Analogue outputs:
- - Both RCA and Balanced XLR
- Separate boards for each stage
- Separate power supplies dedicated to digital and analogue sections
- Fully balanced and discrete audiophile components in the output stage to perfectly support the ultra-low noise and ultra-low distortion digital stage
- High quality headphone output
- Possibility to use in direct (DAC) or volume regulated mode (DAC + preamp)
- Full aluminium construction

Audio Analogue AA DAC in silver or black £3,750

I think the AAdrive and AAdac are both something of a high-end star combination, in the making. They deserve to be at the front end of some extremely high-grade audio.

It (Audio Analogue) can do to digital what it does so well to Analogue shouldn’t be a surprise. However, the fact it does it so well, making this one of the go-to front ends to beat at the price still comes of something of a surprise, in part because the AAdac, in particular, takes on an extremely contended market. And wins.

Finally, the AAdrive and AAdac combination taken together is worthy of note, as they represent one of the best ways of making a good sound from CD for the high-end enthusiast without £50k to burn.

- Alan Sircom Hifi+ March 2021

Audio Analogue AADAC (DAC, Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier

Audiolab M-DAC+ (DAC, Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier)

The M-DAC Plus is the evolution of the multi award winning M-DAC which took the world by storm. In our listening tests we found this to be a compelling listen at an attainable price. We compared this against DACs costing multiple times its price but the M-DAC Plus did not disappoint. It delivers a very credible holographic soundstage with natural tone offering outstanding value for money.

This is a small form factor unit only 29 cm wide making accommodation easy and provides many features.

Audiolab M-DAC+ (DAC, Pre-Amp and Headphone Amplifier)features
- Uses the ES9018 Sabre reference DAC chipset which is extremely well respected
- Proprietary, discrete master clock to minimise jitter
Digital inputs:
- 2 x Coaxial
- 2 x Toslink Optical
- 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x USB for PC and 1 x USB for iPod/iPhone/iPad

Digital Outputs:
- 1 x Coaxial & 1 x Toslink Optical

Analogue Outputs:
-Both XLR and RCA

Sampling rates:
- 24-bit / 192kHz (Optical, Coaxial and AES)
- 32-bit / 384kHz (USB)
- 2.8MHz (DSD64), 5.6MHz (DSD128), 11.2MHz (DSD256)
- Class A JFET Output stage
- Digital pre-amplifier which can be bypassed
- Various digital filter settings providing slightly different ‘flavours’ of delivery
- High quality headphone output
- Remote control
- Textured Aluminium Construction