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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:

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 £4,500

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

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

Audiolab M-DAC+ in silver or black £800

Audiolab M-DAC+

Audiolab M-DAC+

Hegel D50 DAC 

Hegel have introduced a stand-alone DAC to their portfolio, affectionately known as the Raven. This nickname comes from Norse folklore. As Hegel put it, In Norse mythology, the ravens Hugin and Munin brought Odin unparalleled insights, revealing the world's hidden truths. With their D50 DAC, Hegel is aiming to do the same with its musical insight.


The D50’s minimalist aesthetics match that of the Viking CD player, H600 and their reference Pre and Power combinations. The front facia is free from clutter, as the three control buttons are hidden underneath the centre of the front panel. The dimmable screen will display all relevant information. This makes for an easy companion to live with day to day.


This unit replaces Hegel’s HD-30 DAC which also incorporated a pre-amplifier. Hegel made a conscious decision to manufacture a more stripped back and focussed product this time. The goal was to maximise sonic performance, rather than greater functionality. For this reason, and the pre-amp functionality has been dropped, and the resultant sonic performance is in a different league altogether to the previous HD-30. 


The D50 DAC is designed to be as low in distortion as possible. The chassis houses 2 shielded toroidal transformers. These two items are compartmentalised behind a steel shield to minimise any stray RFI noise. Of these transformers, one is used for the noisier digital functions and stand-by functionality, with the other being used for the more sensitive digital and analogue components. Their output is also filtered before entering the unit, further lowering noise.


Hegel have shown real attention to detail with this design, even down to the circuit board traces which are routed with curved corners to minimise impedance drops and reduce stray radiation. 


The DAC chip itself, the ESS flagship 9039, is housed on a separate circuit board which is raised above the rest of the electronics further driving down noise and minimising signal path lengths. The resulting digital processing is very accurate and clean of unwanted digital artifacts.

DAC-Loop

Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes

While the D50 is an ideal match for Hegel’s reference separate components, Hegel has ensured that the D50 can also be seamlessly integrated with its higher-level streaming amplifiers using a connection it calls DAC-Loop. 


The DAC-Loop which, when connected to Hegel’s top-level integrated amplifiers, allows the internally-streamed digital music to pass via the D50 DAC. The DAC-Loop utilises the digital output connection and menu functions of the amplifiers to pass the internally-streamed digital music to the D50 DAC. By utilising the latest Hegel DAC technology, this upgrades the in-built streamer, along with all other digital inputs, resulting in a superior sound quality. Essentially future-proofing the amplifier.


This DAC-Loop feature is available in the current H400 and H600 amplifiers but was also built into previous Hegel amplifier models, such as H300, H360, H390 and H590, allowing owners of these amplifiers to benefit from the latest Hegel DAC technology.


In our listening tests we found this to be a very dimensional performer with wide and deep soundstage. Due to the low noise floor, the sound it creates is textured and revealing of fine detail information. It still has the Hegel sonic signature, marginally on the warm side of neutral, with a smooth and refined high frequency performance. Highs are handled with real delicacy, whilst lows are delivered with real impact and definition. Even compared with the already excellent DAC in the H600, this is a step up in performance in every way, painting a much larger sonic image. It has a rich character. Vocals are particularly well rendered, with the emotion being clearly portrayed.


  • Hegel D50 DAC additional technical Information

    Hegel are most proud of how they process incoming signals before entering the DAC chip itself. The AES/EBU input features as advanced PS422 receiver with a balancing transformer, allowing it to handle weak to strong signals flawlessly, free of jitter and time delays. 


    For SPDIF-based inputs, signals are received on a custom-designed card that unpacks the native I2S data. This process is inherently noisy and prone to timing errors, however the D50 addresses these issues head-on. The decoded signals are re-clocked using no less than three dedicated master clocks: one for SPDIF signals, and for USB, plus separate master clocks for 48kHz and 44.1kHz sample rates. Strategically placed, with minimal signal path lengths, to minimize noise, these clocks deliver a perfectly timed signal to the DAC chip, enabling the purest and most accurate digital-to-analogue conversion.


    Almost all HiFi today uses asynchronous up-sampling to convert digital audio data to analogue. Hegel found that using this kind of asynchronous converter technology will convert jitter error into amplitude error, giving less than optimal sound quality. The Hegel are using a new digital to analogue conversion technology called synchronized up-sampling (SynchroDAC) that produces better timed digital signals, which is very important to lower jitter, the enemy of high resolution. The SynchroDAC converter technology is using truly balanced signal processing to preserve the highest possible dynamic range and to reduce distortion.


    The output stage has also been carefully considered and uses Hegel’s Linear Phase ‘LineDriver’ technology which delivers high current capacity and low output impedance. This makes the unit very friendly regarding cables and its ability to work any amplifier. Hegel has designed the crucial analogue low pass filter and line driver circuits to preserve the highest possible dynamic range, free from distortion and noise.

  • Hegel D50 DAC Technical Specifications:

    Digital inputs: 1 x AES/EBU S/PDIF, 24/192, DSD64(DoP), MQA 8x, 1 x Coaxial (BNC) S/PDIF, 24/192, DSD64(DoP), MQA 8x, 1 x Coaxial (RCA) S/PDIF, 24/192, DSD64(DoP), MQA 8x, 2 x Optical S/PDIF, 24/96, MQA 8x, 1 x USB 32/384, DSD256(DoP), MQA 8x


    Line level outputs: 1 x Unbalanced fixed (RCA), 2.5 V, 1 x Balanced fixed (XLR), 2.5 V


    Analog bandwidth: More than 0 Hz - 100 kHz


    Signal-to-noise ratio: More than 100 dB


    Noise floor: Typically -150 dB


    Distortion: Less than 0.0002 %


    Power use in standby: Less than 0.5 W


    Power use when on: Less than 20 W


    Dimensions/weight: 43 x 30.5 x 9.9 cm (WxDxH), 6.6 kg


    Dimensions/weight US: 17 x 12 x 3.9" (WxDxH), 14.55 lbs


Available for an in-studio presentation, or home trial by appointment.

Hegel D50 DAC £4,250

Hegel D50 DAC

Hegel D50 DAC

Hegel D50 Dac, back

Hegel D50 Dac, back

Soulnote Audio DACs

Soulnote is a high-end audio brand from CSR Inc., founded in 2004 by the former members of Marantz Japan bringing much in-house expertise. Soulnote's headquartered are in Kanagawa, Japan.


Hideki Kato, Soulnote’s ‘Chief Sound Manager’ since 2016, has been working in high-end audio since late 1980s, having been deeply involved in the development of the legendary products from NEC and Philips.

  • Read more about Soulnote Audio and Hideki Kato

    During his long career, Kato has designed both digital and analogue equipment. One question kept bugging him, which was why something which measured better on the scope did not necessarily translate into improved audio quality. Indeed, he found the opposite to be true in some cases. During our evaluation of products over many years, when deciding on products for our curated portfolio, we have often found this to be the case. Technical specifications and scientific measurements tell you nothing about sound.


    Kato believes in listening to develop, not in just electronic design on paper. This focus on listening moves from the circuit and parts, to the chassis development too, where Soulnote have some innovative technologies including floating housings. All driven by the sonic advantages they bring not just the aesthetics.


    Kato is pushing for what he calls, ‘Dynamic Performance’. Through his listening tests, he has developed products with NOS (non-oversampling) mode for PCM Playback in their DACs, as well as Zero Negative Feedback designs in their amplifiers. Both of these technologies lower measured performance, but to the ear they produce much better dynamic performance and listening enjoyment. Soulnote believe that the timing of the impulse is all important, as is the recovery of the impulse. The use of their technologies enables the fastest signal possible, and thus the best timing.


Products


All of the Soulnote’s series of products share a very similar chassis design and size within each range for a very cohesive system look. All components are available in silver or back anodised aluminium.


Soulnote Series 1 components have a thick, milled front panels but conventional basic chassis to the top, bottom and rear.


Soulnote Series 2 units are built from milled aluminium panels on all sides, as well an introduction to their floating chassis technology.


Soulnote Series 3 units are built with absolutely no compromise. As well as milled panels, it incorporates all of their floating-chassis technology: top and bottom panels, along with the input and output sockets.


We first evaluated the D2 DAC and were very impressed. It has a sound field bristling with information but is not bright at all. No high end harshness that is often the case with many current DAC designs. Bass is deep, taught and textured, a similar trait to their amplifiers. It conjures a realistic, large, 3-D sound field with natural timbres.

There is also a choice of NOS (non-oversampling) mode which bypasses a lot of the processing required for traditional oversampling mode, as is used in most DAC designs, as these require additional reconstruction filters and processing which can downgrade sound quality. The DAC also has filter options too allowing the owner the choice.


Soulnote D-1N DAC   £5,400

Read more about Soulnote D-1N DAC


Soulnote D-2 DAC   £7,700

Read more about Soulnote D-2 DAC


Soulnote Audio website>>


Audiolab M-DAC+
Soulnote D-1N DAC
Soulnote D2
Soulnote D-2 DAC