Stereophile - список рекомендованных компонентов 2013. Цифровые процессоры.Часть 2.

Class B

Alpha Design Labs by Furutech GT-40: $549 $$$ The versatile GT40 USB DAC is housed in a handsome aluminum-alloy extrusion and offers a volume control, headphone amplifier, switch-selectable MM/MC phono preamplifier, and convenient analog-to-digital converter as well as digital-to-analog converter. Through its USB input, the GT40 matched the clarity of the HRT Music Streamers, but sounded bigger, more physical, and more open overall, with better definition of individual notes and more natural decays. Its phono stage was similarly big and open, but leaned toward the bright side, said AD. "The Alpha Design Labs–Furutech GT40 is one of those things no one saw coming from any direction: a hell of a good thing," he concluded. (Vol.34 No.9 Read Review Online)

Arcam rDAC: $479 $$$ The elegant Arcam rDAC is housed in a small aluminum case and uses asynchronous USB technology licensed from dCS. It offers S/PDIF, optical, and USB inputs, and uses a Wolfson 8741 DAC. While its USB input is limited to 24-bit/96kHz sampling, the rDAC's S/PDIF input can handle resolutions up to 24/192. Compared with Musical Fidelity's M1DAC, the rDAC sounded a bit livelier and offered more air and detail, said JM. rDackw wireless version available for $599. rWave (USB dongle for computers), rWand (dongle for use with iPhone/iPod Touch), both cost $99. Dongle and rWand are $50/each when purchased with rDackw. (Vol.34 No.12 Read Review Online)

AudioQuest DragonFly: $249 $$$ Using Gordon Rankin's "Streamlength" asynchronous USB technology and made in the US, the DragonFly measures 2.5" long, weighs three-quarters of an ounce, streams up to 24 bits and 96kHz, and plugs directly into the user's laptop or desktop computer. Included among its 107 internal parts are a Texas Instruments TAS1020 controller chip, a 24-bit ESS Sabre DAC, and a Burr-Brown headphone amp with a 64-step analog volume control. One-millimeter microdot LEDs enable the dragonfly emblem on the DAC's zinc-alloy case to change color in accordance with the sampling rate of the file being played: green (44.1kHz), blue (48kHz), amber (88.2kHz), and purple (96kHz). The DragonFly had a well-balanced overall sound, with good tonal color and superb texture, but lacked the spatial depth and timbral sophistication of the Halide DAC HD, said AD. "Class B with two thumbs up," sez SM. (Vol.35 No.10 Read Review Online)

CEntrance DACport LX: $249.99 $$$ CEntrance DACport: $299.99 USB bus-powered D/A processor with or without (LX) volume control. See "Headphones & Headphone Accessories," where it is rated Class B. Used as a single-input preamp between a laptop source and a pair of Rogue M180 monoblocks in EL's main system, the DACport produced a large soundstage, a slightly rolled-off but grain-free treble, and a tube-like midrange. Compared to the Benchmark DAC1 HDR, the DACport lacked resolution and bass weight, but always sounded musical and tonally balanced. LX version sounds clearer, more transparent, and is rated Class B as a D/A processor. A less expensive version of CEntrance's DACport, the LX dispenses with that model's volume control and can be used as a regular USB D/A processor. Like the original, the LX operates in adaptive isochronous USB mode rather than the theoretically better asynchronous mode, but nevertheless performed well on the test bench, showing no jitter-related sidebands. Compared to the original DACport, the LX offered a similarly smooth and grain-free treble, but was slightly clearer and more transparent. However, the LX couldn’t match the smoothness or superb sense of space provided by the significantly more expensive Halide DAC HD. "CEntrance's DACport LX offers superb sound quality at an affordable price," concluded JA. (Vol.33 Nos.6 & 10, Vol.35 No.10 Read Review Online)

Musical Fidelity M1DAC: $799 $$$ The M1DAC digital-to-analog converter uses two dual-differential Burr-Brown D/A chips, has a choke-regulated power supply, and offers coax, TosLink optical, AES balanced, and USB inputs, as well as standard RCA and balanced XLR outputs. While its USB input is limited to 16-bit/48kHz data, the M1 can handle any S/PDIF signal at sample rates up to 192kHz. With its astonishingly low noise floor, the M1 produced outstanding low-level resolution, crisply articulated transients, rhythmic certainty, and tonal purity. "A stunning bargain," ST decided, adding that this DAC "goes for a song but has a very, very low noise floor. The sound quality is highly resolving and, at the same time, non-fatiguing." Compared to the Rega DAC, the M1DAC lacked tonal richness but sounded lighter and quicker, with an airier top end and more space between the notes, said ST. The M1DAC demonstrated superb rejection of jitter on all its inputs and offered overall measured performance that was close to the state of the art, found JA. Borderline Class A but "You will need a very, very good system to realize how great this DAC is!" warns ST. Latest version has a revised power supply and uses the popular Texas Instruments TAS1020B USB receiver, operating in the optimal asynchronous mode, to handle resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz. While the measured performance of the original M1DAC was marred by low-level power-supply spuriae, the latest sample produced a much lower noise floor, found JA. (Vol.34 Nos.3, 5 & 6, Vol.36 No.1 Read Review Online)

Musical Fidelity V-DAC II: $379 $$$ The V-DAC II is the same size and shape as the original and uses the same Burr-Brown DSD1792 chip and SRC4392 upsampler, but now incorporates the asynchronous USB-to-S/PDIF converter found in Musical Fidelity's V-Link. The machined aluminum of the Mk.II's front and rear panels replaces the V-DAC's drab black and garish lettering, giving the new model a much more mature, no-nonsense look. Incoming data are reclocked and upsampled to 24-bit/192kHz. Compared with the original, the Mk.II had a quicker, smoother, more agile overall sound, with greater resolution and a sweeter treble, said ST. "Need you spend more on technology that moves so fast and obsoletes so quickly?" asks ST, adding that the Pangea power supply from Audio Advisor is a worthwhile upgrade. Compared to the Halide DAC HD, the V-DAC II offered slightly more extended low frequencies but sounded drier and less controlled, said JA. On the test bench, the V-DAC II was almost beyond reproach. "Extraordinary!" JA exclaimed. (Vol.35 Nos.1, 8, & 9 Read Review Online)

Peachtree DAC•iT: $449 $$$ Housed in a small (6.5" W by 2.5" H by 6.5" D) aluminum case, the DAC•iT uses an ESS Sabre24 9023 DAC chip and supports all PCM-output audio codecs. Via its USB input, the DAC•iT supports resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz (but not 24/88); via optical, it supports up to 24/192 (but not 24/88 or 24/176). Though it lacked the resolution and clarity of the Benchmark DAC1 USB, the Peachtree combined a slightly soft top end with a slightly warm midrange for a "wonderful, relaxed, analog-like" sound, said JI. "If you"re spending under $500, or even up to $1000, this is a DAC you have to hear," he concluded. "Makes a powerful case for not paying more," adds ST. (Vol.35 No.5 Read Review Online)

Rega DAC: $995 $$$ Rega's DAC measures just 8.4" W by 3.1" H by 10.5" D and sports an attractive aluminum-and-steel case with a reflective front panel. It offers two coaxial, two optical, and one USB input, as well as 10 digital filters: five for data rates of 48kHz and under, five for rates up to 192kHz. While it operates in the adaptive USB mode and its Burr-Brown PCM2707 USB receiver chip is limited to resolutions/sample rates of 16-bit/48kHz, the Rega DAC "had a richness, a fullness of tone, an analog sense of ease, that I had not hitherto heard from digital, save for SACD," said ST. Compared to the Musical Fidelity M1DAC, however, the Rega DAC lacked some air and openness in the top end. JI was puzzled by its warm balance but ST is adamant that the Rega DAC is a reference product: "Probably the most analog-like sound Sam has heard from a DAC. The filter settings allow the user to change the sound—significantly, says Sam, slightly according to Rega. Sony was right: CD forever!" Compared with the Peachtree iDac, the Rega had a warmer, fuller sound, but lacked clarity and accuracy, said JI. JA's measurements confirmed that the Rega DAC operates in isochronous adaptive mode. The Rega's respectable measured performance was marred by supply-related jitter sidebands that may have contributed to the DAC's weighty low frequencies. (Vol.34 Nos.5 & 10, Vol.35 No.2 Read Review Online)

Wavelength Proton: $900 $$$ Designed by Gordon Rankin, the Proton is a solid-state DAC built into a small (4" W by 2.5" H by 5.75" D), attractive aluminum extrusion. It has a single USB type B input, operates in isochronous asynchronous mode, handles resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz, and uses a Wolfson XWM8721 DAC chip that also incorporates an analog volume control and headphone amplifier. Though it was a bit less dynamic and dramatic than Wavelength's more expensive Cosecant, the Proton had a naturally colorful and textured sound, said AD, who bought the review sample. "An easy recommendation," he said. The Proton's limited dynamic range is due to the use of a battery supply with limited voltage capacity, JA noted. Compared to the AudioQuest DragonFly, the Proton sounded slightly less brilliant, lacking some treble extension, openness, and presence, said AD. (Vol.34 No.10 Read Review Online; Vol.35 No.10 Read Review Online)

Class C

HRT Music Streamer II+: $349.95 HRT Music Streamer II: $179.95 $$$ Though nearly identical to the original HRT Music Streamer USB DACs, housed in 4"-long (Streamer II) and 5"-long (Streamer II+) extruded-alloy sleeves, the II and II+ versions include upgraded power supplies, USB transceivers, and D/A chips, handling sample rates up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. Compared to the original models, the new HRTs sounded bigger and richer, with more saturated tonal colors, especially in woodwinds, brasses, and voices, for a "realer, incontrovertibly more involving sound," said AD. Compared to more expensive DACs, however, the HRTs lacked openness and body. Nevertheless, AD concluded: "Just buy the thing and get on with your (musical) life." (Vol.33 No.12 Read Review Online)

Sonos Connect: $349 ✩ Sonos Connect:Amp: $499 ✩ More sophisticated than the Squeezebox," said JA. The user-friendly Sonos system sets up its own proprietary, encrypted audio network and can even dispense with the partnering computer if necessary, working with a network-attached storage hard drive that can operate as a standalone source of media files. In addition, Sonos" original CR100 controller ($399) has a full-color 3.5" LCD screen, allows quick and simple navigation of music files on up to 16 network devices, and provides all the metadata associated with each track. Installation "couldn’t have been easier," said JA. While he found the ZP80's analog outputs to be adequate for use in noncritical applications, JA felt the Sonos performed best with its digital output feeding an external DAC. Rating refers to the performance of the ZP80's analog outputs. Testing of the new ZP90 and ZP120 versions continues the recommendation. The ZP90 is now called the Sonos Connect. Review was of the very similar ZP80 and ZP100, respectively. While the ZP120 (now called the Connect:Amp) resembles Sonos's original ZP100 in using a class-D output stage, it offers slightly more power (55 vs 50Wpc), replaces the linear power supply with a switching supply, and provides more robust wireless networking capabilities. Though limited to sample rates of 44.1 and 48kHz, the ZP120 exhibited a well-managed gain architecture and performed admirably on the demanding high-frequency modulation test, found JA. Remote control app for the iPhone and iPod Touch dramatically improves user interface. (Vol.29 No.10, Vol.33 No.4 Read Review Online)

Class D

Apple AirPort Express: $99 $$$ ✩ While the Airport Express works only with iTunes v4.6 or later (running on both PCs and Macs), is limited to 16-bit data, and functions only at a 44.1kHz sample rate, the combination of iTunes and the Airport Express offered an easy way to pipe CD-quality music around the entire home. "The beauty of this unassuming component," said JA, "is its S/PDIF data output, which allows the Airport Express to assume a respectable role in a true high-end audio system." However, its lack of an internal clock can lead to the first couple of seconds of songs being missed with DACs that are slow to lift their mutes. (Vol.28 No.5 Read Review Online)

ASUS Xonar Essence ST: $209.99 ✩ ASUS Xonar Essence STX: $199.99 ✩ Soundcards compatible with PCI (ST) and PCI Express (STX) personal computers running the Windows XP, Vista, and 7 operating systems (Macs not supported). The Xonar Essence boasts a specified signal/noise ratio of 124dB, and its analog output circuitry is shielded by a grounded metal cover, preventing RF interference from contaminating the audio signal. In addition, the Essence draws its power from a 4-pin socket separately connected to the PC's power supply, thus isolating the analog circuitry from the PC's motherboard. The soundcard offers a headphone output, a line/microphone input, and standard and optical S/PDIF digital outputs, but there is no digital input. D/A conversion is handled by a high-quality 24-bit Burr-Brown PCM 1792. Though the Essence could not support 88.2 or 176.4kHz files through its analog inputs, JA was impressed by the card's weighty lows, clear midrange, and airy highs: "I can unreservedly recommend the Xonar Essence as the least expensive means of extracting true high-end sound from a PC." A driver update guarantees bit-perfect playback from the digital output at all sample rates up to 192kHz, and, unlike with the earlier driver, ASIO-compatible applications take exclusive control of the audio device. (Vol.33 Nos.1 & 9 Read Review Online)

Class K
M2Tech Young DAC, Musical Fidelity M6, Lynx AES16e soundcard, exaSound e18 DAC, Mytek Stereo192-DSD.