Audio Research DAC8

Specifications

In addition to the High Performance USB design, the DAC8 features:

• "DAC8 HD Audio Device" software drivers, which allow listening to your music in its native sample rate as well as assuring BIT PERFECT, low jitter, data transfer from the computer to your DAC8.  Because PC and Mac operating systems do not adequately support sample rates over 96kHz, Audio Research has developed ASIO drivers to make the USB audio experience sonically transparent at all sample rates.
• Sample Rate measuring function:  Measures and displays the correct digital sample rate being sent to the DAC8.  This works in USB as well as S/PDIF mode.  Consequently, at a glance, you always know exactly which sample rate is being decoded.
• The DAC8 employs four 24-bit D/A converters.  Each channel uses dual 24-bit D/A converters running in mono mode to lower the noise floor and increase the dynamic range.
• Dual Master Oscillators:  When the time base of any DAC is not an integer multiple of the digital music sample rate, decoding and quantization errors occur.  Consequently, the DAC8 uses two low jitter Master Oscillators; one for 44.1, 88.2 & 176.4kHz sample rates and the other for 48, 96 & 192 kHz sample rates.  The DAC8 automatically selects the correct Master Oscillator the instant digital music is detected at the selected input.
• All inputs are galvanically isolated from the source to reduce or eliminate noise and/or jitter from entering the DAC8.
• The Analog amplifiers in the DAC8 have received the same attention to detail as the digital section.  Each channel of the DAC8 uses a true direct-coupled differential amplifier with a bandwidth in excess of 90kHz.
• The DAC8’s USB and S/PDIF inputs are designed to accept signals from an HRx, 176.4kHz, 24-bit, High-Resolution music server system playing HRx’s DVD-R recordings.  See www.referencerecordings.com/HRxSETUPS.asp for recommended music server setups.
• By virtue of all of the above points and our proprietary software drivers, intrinsic jitter has been reduced to less than 10ps.

DAC8 HD AUDIO DEVICE SOFTWARE DRIVERS:

The DAC8’s USB driver software provides your computer with special high-speed audio drivers not supplied by MS Windows or Mac OS.  The Audio Research USB drivers are specially designed to assure low jitter BIT PERFECT data transfer between the server/computer and the DAC8 at all sample rates.   Our drivers setup the USB interface to guarantee bandwidth, independent of active bulk transfers from the hard drive. 

From the ARC icon in your computer’s input tray you can set the DAC8 to any sample rate from 44.1 to 192kHz and allow the music server/management software to up or down convert your music to the selected sample rate. 

Music lovers can use custom sample rate conversion algorithms or other file formats provided by third party suppliers such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, J Rivers Media Center, Media Monkey, FooBar, and many others to optimize your music experience. 

The DAC8 is a fully balanced, zero-feedback, solid-state design utilizing a direct-coupled FET output stage with generous regulated power supplies and seven stages of regulation.  There are separate new digital and audio power transformers, and the board material is the same as what we use in our Reference products. Dynamic, forceful, immediate, and possessing remarkable resolution and transparency, the DAC8 is a sonic knockout that is worthy of the finest music systems. 

With a choice of high-resolution 24/192 S/PDIF inputs (RCA, BNC, AES/EBU and Toslink) in addition to the highest resolution 24/192 USB available, the ability to adjust sample rates, the DAC8 provides the new standard in high performance digital music playback.