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  • PowerDAC-RX

PowerDAC-RX

The PowerDAC-RX is a discrete power multi-bit DA converter without -any- amplifiers or buffer circuits in the signal path

  • Custom DAPI receiver offers high source immunity
  • Toslink input
  • Bit-perfect tester built-in
  • Optional IR remote control
  • Local volume control keys integrated in display, press left/right
  • Connect to (pre)amplifiers using RCA
  • Connect to headphones with optional RCA to 3.5mm Headphones adapter cable
  • Firmware upgradable
Regular price $2,121.00
Sale price $2,121.00 Regular price
Unit price
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PowerDAC-RX

PowerDAC-RX

Regular price $2,121.00
Sale price $2,121.00 Regular price
Unit price

Universal DAC with integrated lossless volume control and discrete multibit fractal-7 matrix DA converter primarily intended for driving power amps.

This device comes with a built-in power supply that works with both 115V and 230V. It uses a 2-way Euro 8 mains socket. It features a 192/24 Toslink DAPI receiver with a low jitter master clock and an integrated bit-perfect tester for optimal music reproduction quality.

There's an integrated lossless 25-step volume control (1.5dB/step) ranging from 25mV to 1.7V rms. No lossy analog circuits or components are present in the signal path. You can control the volume using the local keys on the 7-segment LED display or an optional rechargeable IR remote control.

For headphones (32 Ohms and up), you can connect them using an RCA to 3.5mm jack socket adapter cable. The device comes in a durable anodized aluminum housing. For more details and specifications, refer to the User Guide, which you can download.

“New” digital audio interface

This new digital audio interface is backward compatible with the Toslink interface and S/PDIF protocol. It effectively eliminates unwanted jitter in the digital audio source, interlink, and all DAC circuits, even in the presence of significant crosstalk.

The interface ensures low noise and low jitter, improving the sound quality of existing Toslink DACs. The transmitter side (digital audio source) connects to a coaxial cable through an RCA connector. At the cable's end, there's an optical connector compatible with the Toslink input on the DAC. This setup combines an electrical interface (low jitter) and an optical interface (low noise, eliminates ground loops).

Inputs

The DAPI controller has 4 S/PDIF inputs, but using all of them introduces unwanted noise. The PowerDAC aims for minimal noise and distortion without amplifiers in the signal path. Originally, we wanted to use all inputs, but this would allow up to 4 S/PDIF sources simultaneously, causing noise. To resolve this, we suggest an external switch with 4 S/PDIF inputs and remote control for active input selection.

When using the PowerDAC i.c.w. an external (pre)amplifier performance is degraded as any active device in the audio path will degrade performance !

piCore Player

For a straightforward music player with PowerDAC-BX, try piCorePlayer. Run it on an RPI4, connect music via USB or NAS. Use JustBoom Digi HAT or HifiBerry Digi(+) HAT with a Toslink cable for PowerDAC-BX. It supports various sample rates.

Ensure Audio Volume Control is fixed at 100%, Audio Crossfade is No, and Volume gain is None. Install "Material Skin" in LMS for a user-friendly interface accessible from any PC in your network through a browser.

Enjoy Deezer and Tidal, and use plugins for Spotify and Qobuz.

Technical Specifications

DAC type
4 x 20 bit Fractal-7 matrix, discrete, switch & resistor-based multi-bit power converters
Digital input
1 x Toslink 16/24 bit: 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz / 88.2 kHz / 96 kHz / 176.4 kHz / 192 kHz
Power Supply
Programmable internal linear power supply. Standard 230V (option: 115V)
Power Consumption
Approx. 2 Watts
Output impedance
50 Ohms regardless of volume setting
Volume control
Volume is controlled by a combination of supply voltage programming (1.5dB steps) and bit shifting (6dB steps). This way we can realise lossless volume control with no extra components in the signal path and with 36dB range. This integrated volume control enables us to directly drive headphones and power amps / buffers without the need for an always lossy pre amp or attenuator.
Output voltage
28 mV rms … 1.77 V rms Output voltage. Output can be fixed to 1.77 V rms with jumper setting
Output
2 x RCA output, headphones can be connected through optional RCA to jack adapter cable RCA35.
LED indicator
Volume 0 … 24, - = stand-by, P = bit perfect test passed.
Bandwidth
Theoretically 100 MHz (based on switching speed)
Distortion
< 0.001% (0dB)
Output
1.77 V ms
DAPI firmware update
The DAPI firmware can be updated using the USB socket and jumper setting positions for firmware update.
Dimensions
Width: 30cm, Height: 5cm, depth: 23cm
Weight
1.5 kg

REVIEWS

Customer Reviews

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Stephen F
Interesting take on the R2R DAC, but seems somewhat overpriced

EC Designs' Power DAC-RX is an interesting take on the R2R DAC.
First impressions are everything, and I wasn't impressed when I opened the parcel; no retail packaging at all, just the DAC wrapped in bubble wrap, with the mains lead and TosLink cable beside it. To be clear, I'm told this is how it ships from the manufacturer, not how Elise Audio choose to pack it. Things didn't get a whole lot better when I removed the bubble wrap. "Utilitarian" is how I'd describe the DAC's housing, comprising a 3mm thick, aluminium base plate, 2mm thick aluminium side walls and lid and a smoked acrylic window covering the display. The parts fit together mortise & tenon style and are held together by screws in the corners, linked by 50mm long spacers inside the housing. To be fair, it's really easy to get inside the unit, which you have to do if you want to change the output configuration to a fixed output, or update the firmware. Inside, there are 6 separate PCB: DAC & DAPI boards are stacked together, plus LPS and another small PCB (not sure what it is), I/O board with the TosLink & RCA connectors mounted, and the Display board, mounted front and centre; there's also loads on empty space. Honestly, it's hard to see where £1300 has gone (apart from £217 in VAT).
Presumably, most of it's gone into the sonic performance, and it does sound rather good. I'd say it holds its own against similarly priced DAC, fairing well against the Denafrips Ares 15th, which I think sounds a little less extended at either end of the audible spectrum than the PowerDAC, but then, it does do a few things that the PowerDAC doesn't.
I wish the PowerDAC-RX had come in a better quality, more aesthetically pleasing, smaller housing and I wish that the DAC & DAPI board stack had been flipped upside down, and an aperture cut in the base plate, so that the USB port used for programming, and the output configuration header, were accessible without having to raid the tool box.

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