Audiolab M-DAC PLUS SILVER 24/192 KHZ DAC ESS SABRE 32 BIT SIGILLATO GARANZIA ITALIA Audiolab

1169
M-DAC+
The new M-DAC+ is a high-performance, multi-purpose audio DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) for home use, designed to sit on a desk or table, or integrate into a hi-fi system. It incorporates a highly specified, audiophile-quality digital preamplifier and Class A output stage for connection to a power amp and speakers (the output can be fixed for those who wish to use an existing preamp or integrated amp), in addition to a high-quality output for headphone use.

Specifications

General description

Digital-to-Analogue Converter

DAC

ESS Sabre32 9018 chip

Sampling Rate

24-bit / 192kHz (Optical, Coaxial, AES)
32-bit / 384kHz (USB)
2.8MHz (DSD64), 5.6MHz (DSD128), 11.2MHz (DSD256)

Digital Input

2 x Coaxial, 2 x Toslink Optical, 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x USB for PC USB, 1x USB for iPod/iPhone/iPad

Digital Output

1x Coaxial, 1 x Toslink Optical

Output Voltage

Balanced: 4.5V RMS 
Unbalanced: 2.25V RMS

Output Impedance

Balanced: 20Ω 
Unbalanced: 10Ω

THD (1kHz 0dB 20Hz – 20kHz A wtd)

-115dB, XLR: > -120dB

Dynamic Range

RCA: > 115dB, XLR: > 120dB

Crosstalk

RCA: > 120dB, XLR: > 130dB

Dimensions (mm)

114mm x 247mm x 292mm

Net Weight

3.7kg

The Finest DAC Circuitry
Like the M-DAC, the M-DAC+ incorporates the ES9018 Sabre Reference 32-bit DAC chipset, still widely regarded as the finest available. This is surrounded by exceptionally well-specified circuitry that puts other similarly priced DACs to shame, including a proprietary, discrete master clock to minimise jitter, coupled with extensive time domain isolation. A JFET Class A output stage ensures that the audio signal, following conversion from the digital domain to analogue, is of the highest quality.

Ajustable sound for all sources and tastes
As digital audio technology has progressed, the importance of the characteristics of reconstruction digital filters has become more appreciated. Like the classic M-DAC, the M-DAC+ features user-selectable filters for optimal listening and measurement modes, in addition to more conventional types for easy comparison. These filter settings allow the user to tune performance to suit his or her preference, depending on system configuration, digital file quality and musical taste. The M-DAC+ inherits seven filter settings from the M-DAC for PCM files and adds four more for DSD playback, allowing the user to optimise the noise floor to suit the performance of the source file and the bandwidth of associated equipment such as amps and speakers.

echnology
Enhanced Sonic Performance
Another important change relates to the power supply, which has been upgraded and is now incorporated within the M-DAC+’s chassis (hence its slightly taller and deeper case compared to the classic M-DAC). A precision-wound toroidal transformer uses multiple windings to feed separate analogue and digital rectification stages. From there, multiple power supply sections feed the necessary voltages to each area of the DAC, keeping any crossover interference to a minimum. The result is the highest performance power supply Audiolab engineers have yet specified for a DAC, and its contribution to the M-DAC+’s enhanced sonic performance is significant.