DAC 2xES9038Pro Amanero Class A Discrete Headphone Amplifier 32bit 384kHz DSD512Audio-GD now offers its D-27 in a 2022 version, incorporating improvements to enhance the performance of this DAC, preamp and headphone amplifier combo. It takes the excellent base of its predecessor, with now a double DAC ES9038Pro associated with discrete components, a DI-20 processor, a FPGA and Linear Fidelity technology. It achieves a very low level of distortion and noise for an extremely accurate and musical reproduction. Its functions are not limited to the digital / analog decoding since the device embeds a high precision headphone amplifier designed exclusively in discrete components and operating in pure Class A. What's new in version 2022Dual ES9038Pro DAC : The D-27 2022 Edition now features a pair of ESS ES9038Pro DAC chips, offering very low distortion and noise. Combined with discrete components, it combines the transparency and precision of these DAC chips with the musicality offered by transistors. DI-20 Processor : The DI-20 processor in the D-27 2022 Edition corrects digital distortion, rejects jitter and provides the ES9038Pro DAC with a clean signal. I2S and FPGA transmission : The USB transmits the I2S signal to the FPGA and receives a clock signal from it. The transmitted signal is more accurate and the sound quality is improved. To avoid electrical interruptions, the USB interface and the HDMI I2S input have built-in isolators. Linear Fidelity Technology : Although the D-27 is an integrated, it nevertheless incorporates an excellent preamplifier and headphone amplifier. The Class A headphone amplifier is capable of delivering 2x16W of power at 25 or 2x10W at 40. In addition, the integrated amplifier uses Linear Fidelity technology, ensuring a very low level of distortion over the entire frequency range. D-27 2022 Edition key features7 digital PCM filters and 4 DSD filters. The USB transmits the I2S signal to the FPGA and receives the clock signal for high precision transmission. The I2S and USB inputs have built-in isolators. DoP support from SPDIF inputs. Three separate low noise transformers for a total power of 130W. Digital circuit power supply is distributed by 15 high speed, low noise PSUs. Analog circuit power supply is distributed by 4 groups of regulated Class A PSUs. Two levels of gain: A gain of 12dB to accompany headphones with a sensitivity higher than 95dB and a gain of 22dB for headphones with a sensitivity of about 85dB. Relay controlled 4 channel volume control. Resistors operating in parallel for a tolerance of only 0.05%. Dual ES9038Pro DACThis High Fidelity DAC is equipped with two ESS ES9038Pro chips. These conversion chips are able to read high definition formats up to DSD512 at PCM 32bit 384kHz with an excellent signal to noise ratio ( 120dB). This model is a 32bit 8 channel high performance system that is primarily found in studio and audiophile equipment such as SACD players, Blu-RAY, digital audio workstations... etc. This component is based on the ESS Hyperstream II architecture and offers considerable audio precision with a THD+N of -122dB and an active jitter reduction function. In this type of configuration, each chip operates monophonically, which greatly improves performance in terms of channel balance while broadening and refining the soundstage. The dynamics are also enhanced. Audio-GD also integrates Accusilicon high precision clocks. This allows a perfect synchronization of the data signals for a jitter reduced to its minimum. Control by logic circuit (FGPA)A FGPA logic circuit ensures perfect synchronization between the two decoding chips. Its role is essential: it separates the digital input stream in order to distribute the signal on each channel. The FGPA also performs a reclocking function by applying a FIFO process to each input. The data is therefore processed in an environment where the clock signals are controlled with unprecedented precision, which naturally benefits the entire audio playback. Finally, the logic circuit contributes to the diversity of compatible connectors and protocols since it manages the input and decoding of S/PDIF streams. The SPDIF decoding is therefore not operated by the ES9038PRO chips, but by the logic circuit which fulfills this same function with increased precision. Oversized power supplyThe D-27 uses 3 high quality, low noise, low magnetic loss R-Core transformers for its power supply. This gives a total of 130W of power supply to all digital stages and the right/left output stages. The digital stages receive power from 15 ultra high speed, low noise power supply units. The output stages are powered by 4 regulated power supplies operating in pure class A. This construction allows all stages to operate from a clear and independent power supply, an essential condition to achieve superior audio quality. Perfectly balanced volume controlAs far as volume control is concerned, the D-27 adopts a different scheme than traditional technologies. Indeed, in the case of a classic volume control, the device implements this function at the level of the input analog amplifier stage, via the reduction of the signal thanks to a potentiometer. As a result, the sound reproduction is directly impacted by the quality of the potentiometer used, which can result in a loss of detail or distortion. Even when using a high quality potentiometer, a loss of details can be noticed. Moreover, whatever the quality of the potentiometer, this system also impacts the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). To overcome this weakness, Audio-GD has chosen to use an I/V Converter (Transimpedance Amplifier). Thus, the volume control results from a passive current to variable voltage conversion at the ACSS output amplifier, for which the output is the current signal and not the voltage signal. Therefore, the volume depends on the conversion of the current (I) to a voltage (V). This design keeps the frequency range of the signal flat and therefore no details are lost. Therefore, there is no degradation of the sound quality, whatever the volume level. The brand also integrates just after this volume control a group of 4 diamond buffers without feedback in output stage, allowing to obtain a very low output impedance. The quality of the volume control is particularly important in a balanced system. Indeed, it must guarantee the accuracy of the signal control on all four channels to obtain a perfect balance. Otherwise, distortion would be created, which could limit the interest of a balanced system. To maintain this balance, Audio-Gd also integrates a digital relay control on 4 channels allowing to modify the Vishay resistors and thus avoid unbalancing. This allows the D-27 to have an extremely efficient volume control for a high quality sound reproduction. Finally, the volume control of the DAC can be varied over 100 steps allowing a wide control range of 90dB. Moreover, this control is exponential. Thus the volume progression is very smooth over the first 50 steps allowing a simple and precise adjustment, whether it is for use with headphones or high or low sensitivity speakers. A discrete output stageThe last step for the signal is the analog output stage. This one must be particularly careful not to affect the overall performance of the DAC. This stage is located after the ES9038 and is based on discrete transistors only. The ACSS amplifiers as well as the gain process benefit from a non-feedback design and work with a current signal, allowing to limit greatly the conversions between current and voltage. The output buffers feature a pure Class A design with 4x150W on each channel, allowing the D27 to be used with the most demanding headphones without any problems. The exceptional design of this output stage allows for a very pure and neutral sound. In addition, the D-27 integrates a very high quality USB interface: an Amanero Combo 384. Integrated in many Audio-GD realizations, this one has proven to be one of the best USB interface available. An excellent interface therefore, but which moreover is totally galvanically isolated, allowing it not to be subjected to potential interferences which could degrade the signal. Insulation and fitAudio-GD has taken care to isolate each section of its D27 using 5mm thick aluminum partitions, to limit interference that could degrade the sound reproduction. Moreover, the analog sections are placed in a perfectly balanced way on each side of the digital section, ensuring an internal wiring of the same length for a perfect balance. Before being distributed, the D27s also go through an adjustment stage of the ESS chips. Thus, after a break-in period, each unit is calibrated and then listened to by the Audio-GD teams to achieve the lowest possible distortion. Quality connectivityThe D27 also offers a complete and high quality connectivity. We can find a coaxial, an optical, an HDMI I2S, an RCA Stereo, an XLR Stereo and finally a USB input. This last one is based on an excellent USB interface Amanero Combo 384 (integrated option). Integrated in many Audio-GD realizations, this one knew how to prove itself and to impose itself as one of the best existing USB interface. An excellent interface therefore, but which, moreover, is totally galvanically isolated, allowing it not to be subject to potential interferences which could degrade the signal. On the output side, there is an RCA and a stereo XLR as well as ACSS (Mini XLR) balanced. On the front panel, the D27 offers two headphone connectors: a 4-pole XLR and a 6.35mm jack. A massive remote controlThe D27 comes with a beautiful CNC machined brushed aluminum remote control. A massive remote control that will prove to be robust and durable. It allows remote access to all the features of the device, including volume control, source selection and changing settings.

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