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SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III Balanced Performance Level 3/4 D to A Converter
The Balanced version is a top of the line DAC III and a smaller brother to the DHT powered signal output transfromer de-coupled DAC V.
Similarly to the Special version it comes equipped with a EL84 power tube output stage. The step up in transparency over the Special version is provided by Super HiB DC-core de-coupled EL84 power pentode (triode connected) tube output stage driven by the mighty 6N1P double triode.
Signal Output Transformer de-coupling of the Valve Output Stage is the closest approximation to a truely “invisibly” sounding DAC.
The major benefits of having a signal output transformer (L- inductive loading & de-coupling) over a resistor-capacitor (RC) signal de-coupling is as following:
- Signal output transformers can become invisible components only if the finest core materials, wires and optimum winding techniques are employed – the transparency as well as linearity are improved relative to capacitors, which all tend to mask low level nuances
- The dynamics are stepped up because the tube is inductively loaded (one gets all the gain of a tube but at lower DCR) unlike with a high value resistor which lessens dynamics
- The output impedance of a tube output stage is lowered (stepped down, squared root of the ratio), which gives a better drive to the consecutive amplification stage. This in turn provides a more convincing dynamic realism
Super HiB transformer de-coupled limited production Signature version of the DAC III Balanced with silver wound output transfromers is available on request
SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III Balanced Features:
- NOS (Non Oversampling – Zero Digital Domain Filtering) Design
- Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality
- Balanced Signal Output Transformer de-coupled Valve Ouput Stage Topology
- Orient Grain, Super HiB Double-C Core Signal Output Transformers are wound with Specially Selected Copper
- 2 x EL84 power pentode (triode connected), zero NFB, Class A, Valve Output Stage
- Passive I/V conversion via a specially selected resistor with the shortest signal path directly connected to the tube grid
- Dynamic Element Matching (DEM) of the TDA1541 powered by an asynchronous E180F Valve Clock powered by EAA91 Valve Rectified & Choke Filtered Power Supply
- Discrete Transistor, Shunt Voltage Regulated Low Voltage Power Supplies
- 5U4GYB/5R4GYB Directly Heated Valve rectified CLC (choke filtered) B+ Power Supply
- Circuit is wired with a Specially Selected copper (single strand or Litz)
- M6 orient grain EI core mains transformers & chokes (HiB double C-core available as an option)
- Digital Input supports up to 24Bit/96kHz S/PDIF Signal Input
Optional Extras:
a) Pure silver winding of the SHiB DC core signal output transformers instead of all copper windings, which are standard.
Fully silver wound (primary and secondary) or partially copper (primary)/silver wound (secondary)
b) All power transformers are SHiB DC core.
c) Valve output stage Hard Wiring on a Bakelite Board.
d) Fine silver wiring in selected places, usually on the Bakelite Board between passive and active components and output wiring.
Note: Due to SW1X Audio Design’s ongoing research and development process, specifications are subject to change without notice.
DAC III is availble with C- and EI- cored Super HiB signal and power transformers (or chokes) as an optional extra
Specifications
Dimensions: Height (mm) 150 x Width (mm) 450 x Depth (mm) 410
Weight (kg): 18
Max Power Consumption (W): 23
Output Noise, Unweighted (mVrms): < 0.5
Output Impedance (Ohms): <100
Tube Compliment: 2 x EL84, 1 x 6N1P, 1 x 5U5GYB/5R4GYB, 1 x E180F, 1 x EAA91