Best D/A Converters in 2022

What types of digital-to-analog converters are there?

Without the use of sound converters, the user will not be able to enjoy music recordings in digital format. The problem is that most of the built-in DACs that are found in almost all media-enabled electronic devices are not good enough in terms of playback. Simple DACs will add a high noise level, will not be able to read high-resolution files, etc. That is why the use of an additional device is an important upgrade to any high-quality audio system, regardless of its composition.

There are many types of audio converters from digital to analog format, depending on the shape and overall dimensions, functionality and number of inputs and outputs. First of all, there are:

• portable devices;
• desktop or stationary DACs.

Portable converters are connected directly to a computer or phone, are compact in size and have a relatively inexpensive price. They do not require separate power and, as a rule, are equipped only with a headphone jack and a line output for connection to an audio system.

A more functional and expensive option are desktop or stationary converters. They are much larger, require a separate connection to the power source, and also have a wide variety of inputs and outputs. Connecting to a digital device source can be done using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Such converters support many types of audio files and have a built-in volume control.

In addition, DACs are divided depending on the maximum bit depth, which characterizes the number of signal levels at the output. The higher it is, the better the sound reproduction quality. There are models with the following capacity:

• 16 bits;
• 24 bit;
• 32 bit;
• 64 bit.

Among the other parameters that can be used to classify a DAC, it is worth highlighting the number and type of inputs and outputs of the device, the maximum sampling frequency, the type of signal encoding (DSD or PCM), etc.

How to choose a digital-to-analog converter?

Which DAC is better to buy? A rather complex question at first glance can be easily resolved if you follow the recommendations below. Before making a purchase, you need to clearly define the purpose of the new device and your expectations from it. Should you think about purchasing a professional converter without having an equally high-quality audio system? Does it make sense to buy a budget converter and expect high-quality sound from it? The modern market offers a wide variety of options for selecting the required model with different characteristics and costs. The selection criteria are quite simple. What you need to pay attention to first:

1. Number and type of digital inputs.

This parameter directly depends on the devices that are planned to be used as a sound source. Modern converters are most often connected to a computer using a USB port. In addition, optical and electrical (coaxial) connection types are used. Professional devices also use an “advanced” AES/EBU connection using balanced cables that are not subject to interference from the external environment. Recently, models with the ability to connect to external devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are increasingly appearing.

1. Optimal bit depth and sampling rate

These characteristics determine the quality of playback, since they are responsible for the accuracy of signal conversion. Bit depth is an indicator of the number of signal levels at the output of the converter. For audio recordings on CDs, the bit depth is 16 bits, and for high-resolution audio (Hi-Res) it is 24 bits or higher. Sampling rate is the number of reports per time period during digitization. For a CD audio track this figure is 44.1 kHz, DVD - 48 kHz, Hi-Res - 96 kHz or 192 kHz, etc.

1. Type of analog outputs

The type of outputs is determined by the inputs of the speaker system. For example, to connect to an audio system with balanced inputs, the DAC must have such outputs. Most converters are equipped with one or more headphone outputs (jack or mini-jack).

1. Dimensions

The dimensions of the device primarily depend on its purpose. Recently, models with compact sizes have been gaining popularity. Such devices easily fit in your pocket and are most often used to convert an audio signal from a smartphone or tablet. For particularly demanding connoisseurs of high-quality music, larger stationary options with expanded functionality are more suitable.

1. Additional functions

Among the additional functions that may be very popular, it is worth highlighting:

• the presence of analog inputs and the ability to adjust the outgoing signal (using the device in preamplifier mode);
• presence of a lamp output;
• presence of headphone output;
• ability to connect to the device using wireless networks;
• control using remote control, etc.

1. Device cost

In this case, the maximum price of the device is determined not only by the financial capabilities of the buyer, but also by what audio equipment and digital signal source will be used. There is no point in buying an expensive DAC if you are using a weak audio system. However, you should not save money if you plan to replace it or upgrade it to a higher quality level in the future.

1. Brand influence

Which company's converter is better? According to buyers, it is better to focus on brands that have been proven over the years. Among the recognized world leaders in the production of digital-to-analog converters are the Japanese company Teac, the British Cambridge Audio, the Austrian Pro-Ject and many others. These are those manufacturers who have been able to gain popularity around the world and will certainly not allow a potential buyer to be disappointed in their products.

1. Listening

It is extremely important to hear a potential acquisition live before purchasing. If this is not possible, then you should definitely read the reviews of real owners of such devices or experts. Below is a rating of popular models of digital-to-analog converters with a description of their technical characteristics, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

External DAC TEAC UD-301, review. Magazine "WHAT HI-FI?"

TEAC – and content turns into music

Save and read later -

Since music began to be called content, it has become very accessible: listening to any composition is now as easy as shelling pears. You download it from somewhere to your PC or smartphone, and then – multimedia speakers or in-ear headphones. However, the most demanding part of music lovers remained on the sidelines of this trend, and gradually more and more of those who care not only about the number of melodies and rhythms, but also about the quality of their sound are joining them.

Well, Hi-Fi equipment manufacturers are meeting them halfway. In our recent Group test, inexpensive integrated amplifiers of the 21st century competed for leadership in their category, capable of picking up a digital signal and turning it into quite decent sound using ordinary speakers. The TEAC AI-301DA ($665) took part in it and showed itself quite worthy. Today in our laboratory we have another representative of the TEAC Reference family - the UD-301 DAC. Small, but bold It is packaged in almost the same small, but quite solid case and is sold at a comparable price; however, the DAC is designed to perform only half of the procedures on the path from files to acoustic waves. Thanks to its adjustable output level, it can be used with increasingly popular powered speakers or integrated into an existing system, making it compatible with the latest sources. Despite its small dimensions, the TEAC UD-301 does not have a toy-like design and equipment. It is built in a dual mono design using two 32-bit BurrBrown PCM1795 chips; They also provide digital-to-analog conversion of DSD streams at 2.8/5.6 MHz without conversion to PCM (when connected to an asynchronous USB port). There is also a function for increasing the sampling frequency of input signals by two and four times. MUSES8920 operational amplifiers are used in analog circuits. The component has XLR outputs, allowing you to achieve maximum sound quality with high-end Hi-Fi systems. The headphone output is served by a special capacitive amplifier circuit (dual mono) with a power of 2x100 mW (at 32 Ohms). Convincing sound at a good price From all its inputs, the TEAC UD-301 demonstrates balanced, transparent, detailed and quite expressive sound, but, as usual, its quality still depends on the sampling of digital streams and their sources. A signal from an expensive SACD player fed to a coaxial input, for example when playing a CD Sempre Libera, allows this DAC to show itself more advantageously than with the same tracks of its copy on the PC hard drive when connected via USB. In the first case, the sound is richer and more organized; A. Netrebko's voice is presented in all its fullness of tone and intonation. But even in a more realistic use of the component, its sound does not disappoint: the vocals are articulated, focused, rich, and the brilliant coloraturas do not become harsh or harsh even at high volumes. However, sophistication and smoothness are slightly lacking - but the more brutal compositions of 50 Cent from the CD copy of The Massacre are reproduced impressively: with a fair amount of drive, a rhythmic and deep bass line, as well as a clear separation of plans on the musical stage. High-resolution recordings provide a significant increase in sound quality. In "Symphonic Dances" S. Rachmaninov (24 bit/96 kHz) we note the timbral diversity and accuracy, light, crumbly and recognizable high-frequency percussion, clear and polished drum beat fronts.

The performance is coherent, fast, powerful, bringing a lot of pleasure to lovers of the classics. And Concord in a Summer Night. Brubeck's DSD presentation is filled with fine detail, air and grace. When connecting the UD-301 directly to the power amplifier in our reference system, the sound became more direct and overly graphic - at the expense of cohesion and richness. If you build a DAC into an existing system, then it’s worth taking this experience into account and trying different switching options. But the headphone output did not make much of an impression - in comparison with specialized amplifiers. Due to its small size, TEAC UD-301 is easy to use; and the sound quality is quite good for its moderate price. It’s worth paying attention to if you are no longer satisfied with playing music content using “improvised” means.

BEHIND

Balanced, detailed and transparent sound Equipment Small dimensions

AGAINST

Nothing significant, but there are a lot of competitors

VERDICT

An inexpensive, high-quality DAC is suitable for working with active speakers and for expanding the capabilities of an existing Hi-Fi system

Prepared based on materials from the magazine “WHAT HI-FI?”, February 2015.
www.whathifi.ru This review was read 14,372 times

Best Portable DACs in 2022

Portable inverters are becoming increasingly popular. They are extremely convenient to use, because they are often a USB module or a miniature block, slightly larger than a matchbox. Such devices, as a rule, are relatively inexpensive - their average price does not exceed 10,000 rubles, there are models costing up to 2,000 rubles. True, their functionality is very limited and is aimed at the most unassuming user.

Fiio Taishan-D03K

A real bestseller and a leader in price-quality ratio. So compact and discreet that you can hide it anywhere. The inside of the device is packaged so compactly that one gets the impression that it consists of only connectors. There are several of them at once: optical and coaxial at the input and two linear plus a mini-jack for headphones at the output. But you won’t be able to connect to a PC via USB - the port is used only for power. The audio chip significantly improves sound quality, the gain reaches 3.5 dB, and the harmonic distortion does not exceed a hundredth of a percent - a very decent indicator for a portable device.

Fiio Taishan-D03K

Advantages:

• coaxial and optical inputs with switch;
• audio signal support up to 24 bit/192 kHz;
• simple and easy to use;
• miniature sizes;
• LED signal presence indicator;
• inexpensive price;
• headphone output mini jack 3.5 mm;
• cable and power supply included.

Flaws:

• using Mini-USB rather than Micro;
• lack of ability to adjust the incoming signal;
• Not the best sound when using headphones.

Project DAC Box E

Inexpensive converter with a minimum set of functions. Despite its low price, it has quite high-quality sound when used with a completely different audio equipment. All RCA connectors have gold-plated contacts, leadless SMD components are used inside the design, and additional electronic shielding is provided - all this minimizes the level of noise and interference and makes the device operate stable. The output connectors of the device are absolutely not demanding on the quality of cables due to high linearity, and the high signal level allows the use of any amplifiers. Its compact dimensions allow it to be hidden in a rack with equipment and not be disconnected from the network due to its high energy efficiency. In terms of sound quality, the device is far superior to players with standard sound cards, so the DAC Box E will be an excellent addition to any stereo system, even an entry-level one.

Project DAC Box E

Advantages:

• stable operation and low level of interference due to the use of SMD technologies;
• reduction of noise and interference in the output stage due to the use of gold-plated RCA connectors;
• compact overall dimensions;
• no problems with cables due to low input impedance;
• reduced power consumption when using Standby mode;
• high-quality signal processing and filtering.

Flaws:

• no headphone output;
• lack of USB connectivity.

M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192

A miniature device that looks like a regular USB flash card. Some people classify this type of DAC as an external sound card, but this is not entirely correct. There are two outputs on the case - digital optical and 3.5 mm mini-jack. The device is equipped with gain control, which allows you to use headphones with different impedances. To reduce interference and interference, the USB plug and mini-jack connector are gold-plated. Additional noise protection is provided by SMD components, the use of which significantly influenced the price of this model, which cannot be called affordable.

M-Audio Micro DAC 24/192

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• high-quality aluminum housing;
• the ability to convert audio signals up to 24 bits and 192 kHz;
• optical output and 3.5 mm headphone jack;
• gold-plated USB plug and mini-jack;
• presence of gain control;
• digital optical cable included;
• good assembly and components;

Flaws:

• Windows driver problems;
• small number of exits.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS

A miniature DAC that functions as a telephone amplifier or converter for connecting a tablet or laptop to a stereo system. Lightweight and compact, thanks to the aluminum body (dimensions smaller than a matchbox). The signal is received via the USB connector. The main distinguishing feature of this device is the ability to adjust the volume (as many as 54 levels!), and this happens immediately when connected to a source. The device is powered directly from the device to which it is connected. This affects its charge level, although not very significantly. DacMagic XS is famous for its good audio path - almost all interference and noise are filtered. Therefore, this DAC will be an excellent solution for those who like to listen to music from mobile devices.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS

Advantages:

• compact dimensions;
• excellent sound quality with subtle highlighting of instruments;
• unusual design;
• powerful output signal 105 MW;
• transferring the volume control function to the device when connected to a computer;
• ultra-precise volume control;
• elimination of noise and interference through high-quality filtration.

Flaws:

• frequent problems with the micro-USB connection;
• periodically heats up during use;
• quite high price

M-Audio Super DAC

Compact model for advanced users from the American company M-Audio. The converter is compact in size and does not take up much space. On the top panel there is a volume control and LED indicators that display the operating mode and the current sampling frequency. Thanks to multiple inputs and outputs, the device can work with several devices simultaneously. The choice of device for playback is carried out using a special switch. The Super DAC is equipped with two headphone jacks - a 3.5mm mini-jack and a gold-plated 6.3mm full-size jack. The converter can be powered via a USB cable when connected to a computer.

M-Audio Super DAC

Advantages:

• attractive appearance;
• the ability to select 6 different sampling rates;
• two headphone outputs;
• convenient control;
• compact dimensions;
• three types of inputs: optical, linear and coaxial;
• excellent chip from Wolfson;
• Availability of a power supply as standard.

Flaws:

• high price;
• need to install drivers.

DAC TEAC UD-301 DAC - TEAC - and content turns into music

Since music began to be called content, it has become very accessible: listening to any song is now as easy as shelling pears. You download it from somewhere to your PC or smartphone, and then go to multimedia speakers or in-ear headphones. However, the most demanding part of music lovers remained on the sidelines from this trend, and gradually more and more of those who care not only about the number of melodies and rhythms, but also about the quality of their sound are joining it.

Price $700

Well, Hi-Fi equipment manufacturers are meeting them halfway. In our recent Group test, inexpensive integrated amplifiers of the 21st century competed for leadership in their category, capable of picking up a digital signal and turning it into quite decent sound using ordinary speakers. TEAS AI-301DA (S665) took part in it and showed itself quite worthy. Today in our laboratory we have another representative of the TEAS Reference family - the UD-301 DAC.

Small, but smart

It is packaged in almost the same small but quite solid case and is sold at a comparable price; however, the DAC is designed to perform only half of the procedures on the path from files to acoustic waves. Thanks to its adjustable output level, it can be used with increasingly popular powered speakers or integrated into an existing system, making it compatible with the latest sources.

Despite its small dimensions, the TEAS UD-301 has a design and equipment that is not at all like a toy. It is built using a dual mono circuit using two 32-bit BurrBrown PCM1795 chips; they also provide digital-to-analog conversion of DSD streams with a frequency of 2.8/5.6 MHz without conversion to PCM (when connected to an asynchronous USB port). There is also a function for increasing the sampling frequency of input signals by two and four times. MUSES8920 operational amplifiers are used in analog circuits. The component has XLR outputs, allowing you to achieve maximum sound quality with high-end Hi-Fi systems. The headphone output is served by a special capacitive amplifier circuit (dual mono) with a power of 2x100 mW (at 32 Ohms).

Convincing sound at a good price

From all its inputs, the TE AC UD-301 demonstrates a balanced, transparent, detailed and quite expressive sound, but, as usual, its quality still depends on the sampling of digital streams and their sources. A signal from an expensive SACD player fed to a coaxial input, for example when playing a CD Sempre Libera, allows this DAC to show itself more advantageously than with the same tracks of its copy on the PC hard drive when connected via USB. In the first case, the sound is richer and more organized; A. Netrebko's voice is presented in all its fullness of timbres and intonations. But even in a more realistic use of the component, its sound does not disappoint: the vocals are articulated, focused, rich, and the brilliant coloraturas do not become harsh or harsh even at high volumes. However, sophistication and smoothness are slightly lacking - but the more brutal compositions of 50 Cent from the CD copy of The Massacre are reproduced impressively: with a fair amount of drive, a rhythmic and deep bass line, as well as a clear separation of plans on the musical stage.

High-resolution recordings provide a significant increase in sound quality. In “Symphonic Dances” by S. Rachmaninov (24 bit/96 kHz) we note timbral diversity and accuracy, light, crumbly and recognizable high-frequency percussion, clear and sharpened fronts of drum beats. The performance is coherent, fast, powerful, bringing a lot of pleasure to lovers of the classics. A Concord in a Summer Night by D. Brubeck in the DSD presentation is filled with the smallest details, air and grace.

When connecting the UD-301 directly to the power amplifier in our reference system, the sound became more direct and overly graphic - at the expense of cohesion and richness. If you build a DAC into an existing system, then it’s worth taking this experience into account and trying different switching options. But the headphone output did not make much of an impression compared to specialized amplifiers.

Due to its small dimensions, TEAS UD-301 is easy to use; and the sound quality is quite good for its moderate price. It’s worth paying attention to if you are no longer satisfied with playing music content using “improvised” means.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF NUMBERS

Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB Outputs XLR, RCA, 6.3mm headphone Dimensions (HxWxD) 6x22x24 cm Weight 2 kg Finish options Silver, black

PROS Balanced, detailed and transparent sound; equipment; small dimensions

CONS Nothing significant, but there are a lot of competitors

VERDICT An inexpensive, high-quality DAC is suitable for working with active speakers and for expanding the capabilities of an existing Hi-Fi system

Based on materials from What Hi Fi?

Top best stationary DACs in 2022

Stationary transducers are designed for more sophisticated users - those who can truly appreciate sound quality. Their price can vary from several tens of thousands of rubles to several hundred. The cost of individual stationary DACs is comparable to the cost of a new car. Therefore, it is especially important not to make a mistake at the stage of choosing a new device - the wrong decision can lead to large financial losses.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100

A high-quality and reliable converter from the English Cambridge Audio. You can connect to any sound source - from a game console to a music player. The connection uses two coaxial and one optical inputs, as well as a USB connector. The Wolfson audio chip, although quite high-level, does not reach the level of top-class processors. At the same time, the device provides good quality and detailed sound for its price category. However, the main thing about this DAC is the build quality and durability. This device will definitely serve for many years without any hint of unsuitability.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100

Advantages:

• reliable metal case that minimizes interference and noise;
• compact and pleasant appearance;
• convenient buttons and LED indicators;
• many connectors, including USB-B with the ability to convert audio signals up to 24 bit 192 kHz;
• the ability to simultaneously work with four external devices;
• support for a variety of audio formats;
• six sampling rates to choose from;
• proven chip from Wolfson, providing excellent processing quality, detail and depth of sound;
• relatively affordable price.

Flaws:

• power supply from external source;
• no DSD support;
• there is no adjustment of the output signal;
• no headphone amplifier.

Arcam irDAC-II

An excellent DAC from Arcam, one of the leaders in its class. A true representative of the new era in converter development. Externally it looks like a router - a line of indicators and an antenna on the back. Connection with sound source devices is carried out not only through standard inputs, of which there are four, but also using Bluetooth and Wi-fi using Apple AirPlay technology, which will certainly appeal to iPhone and iPad owners. The device is configured using a special interface. The high-quality TI PCM179 processor ensures high conversion quality, even despite the not-so-top-end hardware of the chips. The device sounds clear, vibrant and detailed. Well worth the money, especially with the latest connectivity options.

Arcam irDAC-II

Advantages:

• compact device with an unobtrusive design;
• advanced features and high resolution;
• possibility of working in wireless mode;
• DSD stream playback without conversion;
• excellent control of sound stage depth and perspective;
• headphone output and bluetooth support;
• clear and dense sound, clear separation of instruments;
• remote control included.

Flaws:

• lack of a 6.3 mm headphone jack (adapter required);
• no DSD support;
• no balanced output.

Denon DA-300 USB

A high-quality model from the Japanese leader in the production of audio equipment - Denon. The DA-300 USB is equipped with the best hardware and provides excellent sound. The highlight of this model is the ability to install in both horizontal and vertical positions. At the same time, the characters on the OLED display also change their orientation. The device has extremely simplified controls - only a setting knob and a power button. There is a 6.3 mm headphone jack on the front panel - no adapter is required for them. The device has two optical and one coaxial input and one linear output. An additional advantage is support for the DSD standard.

Denon DA-300 USB

Advantages:

• clear open sound with excellent high-frequency transmission;
• excellent detail;
• large selection of audio inputs;
• minimalistic design with OLED screen;
• possibility of horizontal and vertical installation;
• reliable design;
• the ability to convert audio files of various formats;
• Can be used as a headphone amplifier;
• DSD support.

Flaws:

• no cables included;
• rather sluggish low frequencies;
• when headphones are connected, the line output continues to work;
• need an adapter for 3.5 mm headphones.

TEAC UD-301

A true leader in its class. A high-quality PCM 1795 converter, a compact body, support for 24/192 and the DSD standard are not a complete list of the advantages of this DAC. The UD-301 is equipped with a powerful headphone amplifier, a balanced output and the ability to adjust the use of each audio output as a preamp. The device has a built-in power supply and jitter minimization tools. Well, the main thing for which this model has earned enormous popularity is its excellent sound quality. This indicator is at the highest level - absolute detail, complex timbre structure, amazing stage depth. Overall, this is a real find for music lovers, which deserves the highest ratings.

Advantages:

• high sound quality;
• convenient control, availability of all necessary indications;
• good built-in headphone amplifier using CCLC technology to reduce noise;
• DSD support;
• APS power saving mode with automatic shutdown after 30 minutes of inactivity;
• ability to increase sampling frequency up to 192 kHz;
• excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Flaws:

• high price.

Maranz HD-DAC1

A high-quality device with an amazing design. The appearance of this device gives off some nostalgia; the body is made in the colors of noble metals, and the side panels are stylized as lacquered walnut. From what's inside - a motorized volume control, a powerful power supply, jitter minimization tools and a Crystal Semiconductors audio chip. The device provides a fundamentally new level of sound, previously characteristic only of models from the top class, which differ in price several times. Maranz HD-DAC leaves the user alone with the music and creates a truly immersive experience. An ideal choice for professional audiophiles.

Maranz HD-DAC1

Advantages:

• clear sound - well-developed bass and bright high frequencies;
• ability to work with high impedance headphones;
• quality down to the smallest detail;
• DSD playback capability;
• original design;
• convenient remote control;
• high-quality audio processor and other “stuffing” of the device.

Flaws:

• high cost;
• lack of balanced output.

TEAC UD-301-X Black

Tokyo Electro-Acoustic Company, better known to high-quality audio enthusiasts as TEAC, announces the release of a new, more affordable USB DAC. The model is called Teac UD-301-X and it is developed based on the current, more high-end model UD-501. The new basic design is similar to the older model, including a balanced two-channel input, two Burr-Brown PCM1795 DACs from Texas Instruments, and a high-quality power supply with a toroidal transformer.

The new Teac UD-301-X DAC works with DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz audio files via a USB input, while PCM audio files are limited in sampling frequency and encoding bit depth, only 192 kHz / 24 bit (compared to 384 kHz / 32 bit for model UD-501). There are both optical and coaxial digital inputs, supporting up to 192 kHz / 24-bit, and analog audio output on RCA and XLR connectors.

The TEAC UD-301-X circuit provides the ability to upsample any input signal up to 192 kHz to provide more accurate processing. This conversion can be disabled if desired. The device is built on the basis of a high-quality BurrBrown PCM1795 DAC chip (one per channel), and the analog circuit uses Muses operational amplifiers from the Japanese company NJR (also one in each channel), designed specifically for audio devices. The device circuit is made on the dual mono principle, which ensures good separation of stereo channels and an expressive sound picture with precise placement of images. The TEAC UD-301-X power supply uses a toroidal transformer with a low level of radiated noise and a significant supply of power output.

In addition to the DAC itself, the device contains a headphone amplifier, which develops an output power of 2 x 100 mW when operating at a 32-ohm load. This amplifier minimizes the use of coupling capacitors (CCLC circuitry), which minimizes sound distortion. An analog potentiometer is used to adjust the volume. The device is equipped with balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, and its signal level can be fixed and adjustable. In the latter case, TEAC UD-301-X can be connected directly to the input of a power amplifier or active speakers. The UD-301-X digital-to-analog converter also has a built-in amplifier for direct listening to music through headphones. The output power for each channel is 100 mW. Review of TEAC UD-301-X from the portal Stereo.ru
At first glance, this is a completely comprehensive description. At the back are the same digital ports that the amplifier was equipped with—USB A+B, coaxial and optical. However, the range of analog outputs is somewhat different: there are both unbalanced and balanced (XLR terminals).

The power supply also uses a highly efficient toroidal transformer with low leakage currents. The output stages of analog signal generation are assembled, like those of the Teac AI-301DA, on op-amps, but of higher quality (the MUSES8920 chip from New Japan Radio, designed specifically for HiFi equipment, is used). There are two of them - one per channel (this also applies to the headphone amplifier). The situation is similar with the DAC - each channel has its own BurrBrown PCM1795 chip. In short, the component has a dual-mono design, which greatly improves the sound quality.

Other measures have been taken to bring the Teac UD-301-X closer to the level of reference equipment.
In particular, the output circuits can be turned off, and the device will turn into a high-quality headphone amplifier (there is a special toggle switch on the rear panel). In addition, the analog stereo signal output can be made adjustable (to drive a power amplifier or active speakers) or unregulated (to feed a full amplifier). Unlike the AI-301DA, the Teac UD301-X converter is capable of increasing the sampling frequency of the input stream by two or four times (for a CD signal - up to 88.2 or 176.4 kHz, for signals with a native frequency of 48 kHz - up to 96/192 kHz). The remaining capabilities are the same as those of the Teac AI301DA: reading PCM records up to 32/192 and DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz.

Characteristics of TEAC UD-301-X

Frequency response 5 Hz - 55 kHz (-3 dB, sampling rate 192 kHz) Signal-to-noise ratio 105 dB Distortion 0.0015% (1 kHz, sampling rate 192 kHz) DAC 2 x BurrBrown PCM 1795 Input signal conversion up to 192 kHz ( switchable) USB input USB 2.0 type B, asynchronous, DSD (2.8 / 5.6 MHz), PCM (up to 192 kHz), bitrate (16, 24, 32 bits) Coaxial input RCA, PCM (up to 192 kHz), bitrate 16 / 24 bit Optical input PCM (up to 96 kHz), bitrate 16 / 24 bit Outputs XLR maximum level + 14 dBu, output impedance 200 Ohm RCA output maximum level 2 V, output impedance 100 Ohm Headphone output Jack 6.3 mm , output power 2 x 100 mV (32 Ohm, 0.1% distortion) Headphone impedance from 8 to 600 Ohm Power consumption 10 W Dimensions (WxHxD) 215 x 61 x 238 mm Weight 2 kg

Brief conclusions

The audio market is replete with various options for devices for converting digital signals to analog. They differ in their purpose and functionality, as well as cost. Simple budget models do not offer the highest quality music conversion, but are practically indispensable for listening to audio files from digital gadgets and other devices. Well, professional models costing from 20 thousand rubles to infinity will be a real find for connoisseurs of high-quality sound. The main thing is to choose the right device correctly and find exactly the device that is needed.