Audio Note

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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.

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DAC 5 Special - 369.400 sek