One BNC-to-RCA cable later we were up and running. Luckily the trusty old Victor DAC has a digital output, and can be used purely as a source switch. Not having a balanced pre-amp input, my idea of running the AES/EBU output of the dCS P8i directly into the DAC was thwarted. None and no! The back of the unit has RCA and XLR digital inputs, RCA (2) and XLR analogue outputs and a little switch to set it to balanced or single-ended mode.īUT - your choice is to use the RCA input and single-ended outputs, OR the XLR input and balanced outputs. The power supply is rectified and regulated by tubes the output stage is linked to the DAC section by interstage transformers and has tubes driving output transformers, much like AN pre-amps. A fairly basic 18 bit stereo DAC chip is used, with all filtering being carried out in the analogue domain. ![]() On the right hand side is a version of the M2 valve rectified and regulated power supply also used in the 3.1x and 4.1x models, albeit with upgraded transformers and other components as you go up the range.Īudio Note have an unconventional approach to most things, and their DACs are no different. You can clearly see the DAC board (the green one), with the interstage transformers between it and the analogue output board, then finally the output transformers at the front left hand side of the case. Inside the case, it also resembles the 3.1x/4.1x much more closely than it does the lesser 2.1x models. It measures a generous 44 cm x 14 cm x 41 cm (w x h x d). ![]() The unit is housed in a honking great case: the same Audio Note biscuit tin used for the higher level DACs as well as other products such as the M5 Phono pre-amp I already have. I was intrigued then, when BD Audio announced the arrival of a shiny new DAC in the shape of the DAC 2.1x/II Balanced, which seems to contain many of the design features of the 3.1x and 4.1x models at a somewhat more acceptable price point.Ī home demo from BD Audio had me convinced, and a few weeks later I have my very own unit. This has had me hankering after an Audio Note DAC ever since - but the 4.1x has an rrp of an eye-watering £10,600 and you never see any second-hand. Untlil I lugged the Victor over to KevinF's bake-off last July, where it got its arse well and truly handed to it by Kevin's Audio Note (UK) DAC 4.1x Balanced. Until recently, I have been blissfully happy with my trusty old Victor XP-DA999 DAC, preferring it to the dCS Ring DAC, and even to vinyl in my system.
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