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Audio Research DAC9
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Audio Research DAC9
Digital That Sounds Like Analog
Digital advances quickly and Audio Research continues to stay at the performance forefront. Our perspective and love for analog reproduction helps make our digital components sound superior musically.
The DAC9 is a vacuum-tube analog section combined with the latest digital design, capable of decoding DSD music files and PCM files up to 384kHz.
Selectable Digital Filters & Quad D-A Converters
Audio Research designed two separate data paths to the DAC9’s D-A converters: one for PCM files, and another to handle serial DSD files at 1x and 2x DSD clock rates. This assures proper integer decoding eliminating interpolation distortion errors that degrade sonic purity. Native sample-rate upsampling is available for all inputs, up to 384kHz for non-DSD (PCM) music files.
Selectable digital filters are available for customization. An asynchronous USB input, along with four galvanically isolated SPDIF inputs, assures all of your digital sources will integrate with the DAC9. We pioneered using quad D-A converters, with each channel using dual stereo DACs running in mono to increase dynamic range and lower the noise floor.
The digital side mates to a vacuum-tube analog section that uses a pair of 6H30 dual triode tubes. The DAC9 is a balanced design with a Class-A, zero feedback analog section with no capacitive coupling.
Like other products that have preceded it, the DAC9 combines remarkable resolution with relaxed musicality. Audio Research’s sonic legacy—clarity, dynamics, dimensionality, and musical authority—are obvious and thoroughly engaging.
MSRP: $12,000
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response | +/-0.15dB 20Hz – 20kHz; +/-3.0dB 6Hz – 192kHz |
THD+Noise | Less than .002% at 2V RMS 1kHz Balanced output |
Signal to Noise Ratio | >114dB |
Intermodulation & Noise | .001% (SMPTE ratio) |
Channel Separation
| 107dB
|
Intrinsic Jitter
| <10pS |
DAC Resolution | 24 bits |
Push Buttons | Power, Menu, Option, Enter, Input, Mute |
Output Impedance | 500 Ohms balanced, 250 Ohms SE |
Digital Filter | Selectable Fast or Slow algorithms |
Upsampling | All Inputs upsample to 384kHz |
Inputs | USB2.0HS 44.1 to 384kHz, DSD, 2xDSD; RCA, BNC, XLR 44.1 to 192kHz; TOS 44.1 to 96kHz |
Rated Outputs | 3.8V RMS Max Balanced; 1.9V max SE (@ 0dB input) |
Power Supplies | Electronically-regulated low and high voltage supplies. Line regulation better than .01% |
Noise | 103dB |
Tube Complement | (2) 6H30 dual triodes |
Power Requirements | 100-125VAC 60Hz (200 – 250VAC 50/60Hz) 60 watts maximum |
Standby | Less than 2 watt |
Dimensions | Width: 19″ (48 cm) |