DAC • Preamp • Headphone Amplifier
DAVE is an acronym for "Digital to Analogue Veritas in Extremis"
This gave opportunities to further improve performance:
Improved time domain (transient timing accuracy)
Improved noise-shaper performance
DAVE has much more advanced analogue electronics
TIME DOMAIN
The primary purpose of a DAC is to reproduce the un-sampled continuous analogue waveform from sampled digital data
Conventional DACs do a poor job of reproducing the original continuous analogue signal, with timing errors on transients
Increasing tap-length of FIR filters gives better time domain accuracy in terms of the timing of transients
The ear/brain is extremely sensitive to very small timing errors
Timing accuracy upsets the perception of the start and stopping of notes
It also degrades the ability to perceive instrument timbre and power
It degrades soundstage precision
DAVE has a 164,000-tap WTA filter.
The noise-shaper takes the high-resolution 2048 FS data and converts it to 5 bits
20-element Pulse Array DAC.
Ultra-low-noise sub-milli-ohm power planes for Pulse Array element flip-flops.
MEASURED PERFORMANCE
Maximum output voltage 6V RMS – the reference voltage dBA, measured using APx 555
THD and noise at 5V RMS 1kHz -124 dBA A wt
THD and noise at 2.5V RMS 1kHz - 127 dBA A wt (-124 dBA into 33 ohms)
THD 1kHz 2.5V RMS 0.000015%
Dynamic Range at -60 dBFS 1kHz -127 dBA A wt
No measurable noise floor modulation, no anharmonic distortion
Analogue distortion characteristic – no distortion for small signals.
Technical Features:
Digital Inputs
4x 75Ω S/PDIF BNC Coax – 44.1kHz to 384kHz
1x AES XLR – 44.1kHz to 96kHz
2x Fibre Optic TOSLINK – 44.1kHz to 96kHz
1x USB Type B – 44.1kHz to 768kHz – PCM and DSD
Analog Outputs
1x Stereo Pair of Unbalanced RCA
1x Stereo Pair of Balanced XLR
1x 1/4" TRS Jack Headphone Output
Performance
Frequency Response
20Hz to 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
THD +N
-127.5dB (AWT)
Channel Separation
>125dB @ 1kHz
Dynamic Range
127.5dB (AWT)
Headphone Output
1% THD 6.8v RMS with 300Ω (154mW)
1% THD 6.8v RMS with 33Ω (1.4w)
Output Impedance
0.055Ω (short circuit protected)
Operating voltage
90v AC – 250v AV auto switching 50Hz – 60Hz
Dimensions (including connectors)
333.5mm (W) x 71mm (H) x 154mm (D)
Weight
7kg (15.5 lbs)
Package Includes
1.5m Type A to Type B USB Cable
1.5m 10a IEC Mains Power Lead
Reference Dave Remote
Dave Owners Manual
5-Year Warranty