 |
|
Audio Note DAC Kit 2.1 Level C
Transformer Coupled Digital-to-Analog Converter
|
Click here if you are unsure about what a DAC is or its role in your hi-fi system.
Welcome to the DAC 2.1 Level C product page..
Click here if you wish to view the DAC 2.1 Level A and B page instead.
We are very excited to bring you the long awaited DAC kit 2.1 Level C. This represents the ultimate in DAC kits; building upon the highly regarded and popular DAC Kit 2.1 Level B, the Level C DAC comes with a new driver board (taken from the new L3 Line Mk2 Pre-amplifier) which then drives two 33:1 step-down output transformers.
Using such a transformer coupled output stage has many advantages both sonically and for matching purposes. It's low impedance output means that it will match with virtually any pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier - valve or transistor - making it highly versatile.
Here are some of the things that make this DAC kit a clear cut above the rest:
- Dual 5687 (individually heated) analog board - driving 33:1 output transformers.
- Digital and analog sections both have dedicated power supplies.
- Our highly praised M2 power supply is used for the analog section.
- No analog filtering (analog filtering has been totally removed).
- I/V transformers to maximize energy transfer in the digital to analog section coupling (standard with Level B).
- USB digital input option.
- Digital board comes ready assembled.
- Highly configurable with a great range of options and upgrades available.
Before we go on, the DAC Kit 2.1 actually comprise of several different base versions. The most basic version will be referred to as 'Level A', followed by 'Level B' etc. This page is dedicated to the Level C version only.
* The Signature Digital Board includes an Audio Note Digital Interface Transformer (with toroidal core made from very thin laminate spun 80% nickel strip) and PK Black Gates. There is also an extreme version of this board available that contains N-Type Black Gates (enquire).
A USB interface is also available for all configurations of the DAC Kit 2.1 - please enquire for more details about this.
The M2 power supply is taken from the Audio Note finished products line. This uses a Mains transformer/Choke combination with 6X5 for tube rectification and the ECL82 for regulation. This powers a high quality, 5687 analog driver section which, in turn, drives two high quality 33:1 step-down output transformers.
Also, as with all the very latest Audio Note DAC's, the DAC Kit 2.1 comes without an analog filter in all its available versions.
|
Signature Digital Board and USB Input Options
|
The signature Digital Board includes PK Black Gate capacitors and an Audio Note Digital Interface Transformer (with toroidal core made from very thin laminate spun 80% nickel strip). Digital Interface Transformers are used in all Audio Note's finished product DAC's from their Level 1 range upward.
We can also supply an upgraded version of the signature board that contains N-Type Black Gates (please enquire). Click here to view.
|
General Specification
|
|
|
Switchable between any two inputs from the following three choices:
|
|
|
Single-ended stereo outputs via Left/Right RCA sockets |
|
|
1.3 K |
|
|
2.5V RMS both channels |
|
|
15" wide, 16" back to front, 5.75" height including height from floor |
|
Pricing and Configuration
|
| DAC Kit 2.1 Level C Standard Version | $2,099(USD) |
The Standard version of the new transformer coupled DAC Kit from AudioNote Kits includes the following:
|
Signature Digital Board inc. torrodial input transformer, PK Black Gates and Tantalum resistors on its output |
|
|
I/V Transformers between the digital and analog sections |
|
|
Upgraded Digital Power Supply |
|
|
PTFE wire (silver plated copper) |
|
|
M2 Power Supply Circuitry - Beyschalg resistors and Audio Note Tin capacitors |
|
|
Hard-wired or PCB version of 5687 Line Board with Beyschlag resistors, Audio Note Tin capacitors, and Panasonic FC Electrolytics |
|
|
IE core output transformers designed by Andy Grove for RCA output (Balanced output verisons also available - enquire) |
| DAC Kit 2.1 Level C Signature Version | $2,399(USD) |
The Signature version includes:
|
|
Signature Digital Board inc. torrodial input transformer, PK Black Gates and Tantalum resistors on its output |
|
|
I/V Transformers between the digital and analog sections |
|
|
Upgraded Digital Power Supply |
|
|
PTFE wire (silver plated copper) |
|
|
M2 Power Supply Circuitry - Beyschalg resistors and Audio Note Tin capacitors |
|
|
Hard-wired or PCB version of 5687 Line Board with Tantalum resistors, Audio Note Copper capacitors, and Black Gates |
|
|
IE core output transformers designed by Andy Grove for RCA output (Balanced output verisons also available - enquire) |
| USB Input Option | $129(USD) |
The USB Interface board allows you to use your computer as a transport and is simple to install.
| I/E core with Balanced output | Add $250(USD) |
| C-core (HiB) output transformers | Add $800(USD) |
|
Level B to Level C Upgrade Kits
|
Many of you may be interested in upgrading from the 6922 analog section in the Level B kit to a transformer coupled Level C version. Please note that if you built your Level B kit before the new mains transformer and digital power supply board were available, you may also have to upgrade those too (please enquire). The following are only to upgrade the analog output section:
| Standard Upgrade (RCA output) | $475(USD) |
The standard upgrade includes:
|
|
I/E core output transformers for RCA (single-ended) output |
|
|
5687 Line Board (Hard-wired or PCB) with Beyschlag resistors and Audio Note Tin capacitors |
| Signature Upgrade (RCA output) | $675(USD) |
The signature upgrade includes:
|
|
I/E core output transformers for RCA (single-ended) output |
|
|
5687 Line Board (Hard-wired or PCB) with Audio Note Tantalum resistors and Audio Note Copper capacitors and Black Gates |
| I/E core with Balanced output | Add $250(USD) |
| C-core (HiB) output transformers | Add $800(USD) |
|
Inputs and Outputs
|
There is one RCA input, one XLR input, and one USB input (if USB Option is fitted). Any two of these can be made active and switched between using the switch located on the rear panel.
Two RCA, line level outputs are available as standard. The optional balanced output transformers allow balanced output via XLR connectors.
|
I/V Transformers
|
The picture on the right shows how the I/V transformers are clamped and mounted with spacers
The I/V transformers were specially designed by AudioNote engineering to provide an affordable yet highly effective transformer for the DAC2.1 Kit. I/V Transformers are used to maximize the energy transfer during the Current-to-Voltage phase of the conversion; resulting in increased dynamics.
An extract from the article 'Why is Audio Note's 1x oversampling unique?' by Andy Grove describes the use and advantages of the I/V transformer:
The output of most resistor ladder DAC chips is in the form of a current rather than a voltage. There are many ways to convert the current into a voltage but the most commonly used system is that of an op-amp connected as an I to V converter. This system requires the use of a high degree of feedback, and as a result there are problems associated with it. One of those is internal slew rate limiting of the op-amp itself. The rate of change of current at the output of even an audio DAC is very fast indeed. Even modern fast op-amps will slew limit internally and that affects sound quality. Some engineers have found that using extremely fast op-amps improves the sound quality, but we have completely sidestepped the issue by using a transformer I/V system. The transformer not only provides an I to V function but the way it is used in our latest DACs transfers maximum energy from the DAC chip itself. This in itself reduces overshoot and ringing and because the system is slightly overdamped the rise time is reduced to an acceptable rate as well.
The full article can be seen in the Related Links section below.
|
General Support
|
We have included a 1KHz test tone WAV file here that may be useful when you are building your DAC Kit. It allows you to feed the signal into your DAC so that test voltages can be measured.
Click here to play the file.
To download the file to your computer, right-click on the link and select 'Save Target As...' (Internet Explorer) or 'Save Link As...' (Firefox) from the pop-up menu.
"Hi Brian,
My AN DAC is up and running now. It sounds a lot better than my Denon 2910 SACD player. AN Dac is very transparent and detailed. I love this DAC.
I can't wait to start working on my L2 pre amp."
Sai Pong Siu
I have finally completed installing the Level C upgrade (with C-Core Hi-B transformer) to my DAC 2.1 Level B Signature and I am writing to share my initial impressions.
The upgrade not only met my expectations but exceeded it quite significantly. Granted I only have it running for few days and it is still breaking-in, almost every attributes of the sound seemed to have improved quite significantly. More detail (but not being a distractively hyper detailed) and sense of space/”air” (but not sounding harsh or bright), better sound stage and imaging, significantly improved musical coherence and sense of pace, perceptively flatter frequency response etc. etc. My writing skills are not good enough to articulate why or how but it seems to highlight the essence of the musical performance much more prominently than any digital front-end equipment that I have ever owned. The well recorded/mastered CD sounds significantly better but it now also highlights the imperfections of the poorly recorded/mastered CD bit more prominently than before but still in an understated way typical to AN products that I have heard in the past (i.e. never makes them un-listenable.)
I feel like wanting to listen to all of my favorite CD again and playing them louder than ever before. As you can tell, I am very happy that I installed this upgrade.
Isaku
| Related Links | ||||
|
|
