Audio Note

[View with PicLens]

The ultimate Level 5 converter, silver wired everywhere including the custom Audio Note™ silver wired output transformer on 0.1 AN-Perma 50 double C-cores, silver wired I/V interface matching transformers, Audio Note™ carbon film resistors, Black Gate™ WKz, N and Nx type capacitors in all critical place.

Pris:

DAC 5 Signature - 685.000 sek

[View with PicLens]

Level 5 super DAC, new copper wired Audio Note™ “magic” I/V transformer interfaces, 1xoversampling™ direct from disc™ technology based on the AD1865N, dual mono power supplies to powerful analogue output stage with NOS 6463 dual triodes coupled with copper wired output transformer on 0.1mm AN-Perma 50 double C-cores providing 600R balanced outputs with XLR in addition to the two single-ended silver plated RCA outputs.

Audio Note & the Super DAC

At the emergence of the aforementioned oversampling and upsampling movements during the late 90s, AN owner Peter Qvortrup chose not to partake in the new schemes as he was critical of the vastly presumptuous calculations generated by the techniques. He saw solutions to refining Redbook CD playback with his recognized expertise in using discrete components to create system synergy. In contrast to increasing the linearity of the digital-to-analog conversion process via oversampling and upsampling, Peter suggested concentration on exercising the utmost care in original signal preservation and amplification instead.

Peter developed the proprietary “1xoversampling™ Direct from Disc™” topology which he claims is more capable of preserving the low-level details and dynamic headroom embedded in the original data stream. The company designated the application of the Analog Devices’ 18-bit AD1865 converter chip and the Cirrus Logic’s Crystal CS8414 receiver chip to form the primary architecture of its converters. An in house designed and manufactured digital input transformer is used as the digital input matching device.

The DAC 5 Special utilizes more stringently selected AD1865 chips.

Also unique among similarly priced DACs in the world, AN’s DAC 5 Special is the only other DAC that is given Audio Note’s proprietary, internationally patented copper wired “magic” I/V transformer interface, that actively couples the DAC chip’s output to a powerful transformer, which AN claims would yield superior bandwidth and dynamic envelope than passive or simpler I/V interfaces.

In addition to the patented “magic” I/V transformer interface, the Super DAC also incorporates a premium amplification stage for sending converted signals through, a hand wired silver version of the aforementioned digital input transformer, hand wired silver-laden point-to-point PCB circuit, dual mono power supply with multiple regulation stages, copper wired interleaved Supermumetal 250 cored transformer, two NOS 5687 double triodes analog output stage with exclusive 33:1 ratio copper wired transformers, and a pair of R36 double C-core output transformers.

Complimenting this assembly of heavy and precious metals are exotic parts such as Black Gate electrolytes, assortment of ½ and 1% Audio Note™ tantalum film resistors, Cerafine capacitors and lavish silver wiring throughout.

The extreme extravagance bestowed upon the DAC 5 Special is to capture extremely low-level details. The use of the Supermumetal cored interface transformer, for example, is for the superior magnetic permeability from its 80% nickel content core, which in conjunction with a special bifilar wound bobbin provides a supposedly close to perfect magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary windings through the very permeable nickel core, thus enabling superior low-level signal behavior. Designed to uncompromisingly maintain signal linearity and dynamic contrast of the thus-extracted low-level signal is the NOS double triode analog output stage coupled to a powerful C-core transformer, effectively dispensing with the need for feedback signal correction, which AN believes compromises signal integrity.

Additionally, the R36 C-Core output transformers designed and made by AN for use in the Super DAC are claimed to be capable of reproducing a bandwidth approaching the 5-200kHz frequency extension benchmark, which AN claims will not only preserve the feeble signals far better than other DACs’ capacitor coupled circuits will; but will also endow the Super DAC’s two pairs of single-ended outputs equal dynamic bandwidth and contrasts as its balanced one.

With all refinements taken together,  the level of signal fidelity harnessed in the DAC 5 Special far exceeds that attained by DACs from any other companies by any other means.

Läs recensioner här.

Pris:

DAC 5 Special - 369.400 sek

[View with PicLens]

As DAC4.1x Balanced in DAC5 chassis but with better I/V interfaces and Audio Note™ silver wired filters, original NOS Telefunken 6463 output stage with 5:1 step down double C-core copper wired output transformers with balanced XLR input and output and valve stabilised power supply with choke filter and 6X5 HT rectifier.

Pris:

DAC 4.1 Balanced Signature - 230.900 sek

[View with PicLens]

D/A converter. Selected AD1865N chip with 1xoversampling™ direct from disc™ technology with silver wired and patented Audio Note™ I/V transformer interface and digital input transformer. 2 x 5687 NOS double triodes coupled to a custom made 5:1 Audio Note™ copper wired output transformer with thin lamination HiB double C-cores with both XLR and . High grade Black Gate™ capacitors and Audio Note™ tantalum film resistors everywhere, separate digital and analogue mains transformers and power supplies with 6X5 rectified choke power supply.

Läs recension här.

Pris:

DAC 4.1x Balanced - 127.000 sek

[View with PicLens]

The new DAC3.1x/II Balanced replaces the Canadian produced model MkI version and offers the following improvements and revisions,

1.) Better power supply now with valve regulation, ECL82, in addition to the valve rectifier also used in the DAC3.1x Balanced.

2.) Further simplified digital circuit and better PCB layout (it takes time to understand

3.) Improved digital – analogue I/V transformer interface

4.) No analogue filtering whatsoever.

5.) Improved line amplifier circuit, we have moved from the use of 2 x 6DJ8/ECC88 run in parallel to a series stage consisting of two ECC82s, this allowed the use of a better output transformer

6.) Better output transformer, 33:1 step down ratio, improving bandwidth, and dynamic signal transfer whilst also reducing hum and RF interference. The copper wired output transformers use the new IHiB core material in a double C-core configuration. Note the copper shrouds on the output transformers, a small detail perhaps, but an important one and not just cosmetically, commercially available transformer frames and shrouds are all made from steel, which is magnetic and when an air gapped transformer is assembled with a magnetic frame or shroud, its performance is adversely affected, because the air gap is shorted by the magnetic currents flowing in the frame or shroud and a loss of low level detail is evident. We therefore decided to move over to copper frames and shrouds, as they do not affect performance.

Pris:

DAC 3.1x /II Balanced - 73.000 sek

[View with PicLens]

DAC5 size chassis converter, 24Bit/96KHz compatible, AD1865N chip with digital filter free 1xoversampling™ direct from disc™ technology plus patented Audio Note™ I/V transformer interface, digital input transformer, 6DJ8 anode follower no feedback output stage. Black Gate™ capacitors, Audio Note tantalum resistors and Audio Note™ copper foil signal caps & better power supply with separate mains transformer, choke and 6X5 rectifier.

Pris:

DAC 2.1x Signature - 40.800 sek

[View with PicLens]

Standard chassis converter, 24Bit/96KHz compatible, AD1865N chip with digital filter free 1xoversampling™ direct from disc™ technology with patented Audio Note™ I/V transformer interface and Audio Note™ digital input transformer, 6DJ8 anode follower no feedback output stage.

Pris:

DAC 2.1x - 30.500 sek

[View with PicLens]

As DAC One.1x with upgraded components, AN ½ watt tants, Black Gate™ capacitors, Audio Note™ copper foil signal caps and copper wired digital input transformer in powder coated chassis with black acrylic or brushed aluminium front panel. Anode follower no feedback (NFB) output stage. The demultiplexing circuit makes this compatible with 24Bit/96KHz sources including DVD, computer etc.

Pris:

DAC 1.1x Signature - 23.100 sek

[View with PicLens]

The DAC 1.1x/II digital to analogue converter uses Audio Note™ 1Xoversampling™ and Direct From Disc™ techniques which in our opinion has proven to be musically superior to other over sampling methods. The kit uses the well proven Crystal CS8412CP input receiver, and the DAC chip is the Analog Devices dual 18bit AD1865. The tube output stage uses a single ECC82 as a common cathode amplifier which provides voltage gain to allow the DAC 1.1x/II to be used with any active preamplifier and some passive preamplifiers.

The DAC 1.1x/II is housed in a steel chassis finished in black powder coating and a natural colour 5mm anodised brushed aluminum face plate with a satin finish or black acrylic panel with a piano lacquer finish.

Pris:

DAC 1.1x - 18.500 sek

Audio Note har använd samma teknik och och know-how som i finns i de exklusivare DACarna för att bygga en rör-DAC som kan kopplas både till en transport och till dator. Dac Zero - självklart driven med rör - och kan via USB-anslutningen kopplas till PC eller MAC. Ny kan du äntligen njuta av riktig high fidelity framför datorn. Den passar ihop med den integrerade förstärkaren I-Zero. En riktig Benchmark-dödare.

Pris:

DAC Zero USB - 13.400 sek

[View with PicLens]