Bel Canto Design DAC 1.5

The display is clear and bright, all controls are responsive, and on the test bench it was super quiet and capable.

Design Features:
• Master Reference Ultra-Clock with high rate jitter filter ensures maximum dynamic range from any source.
• USB Link 24/96 Isolated computer audio input
• Dedicated Headphone DAC/Amplifier stage
• 4 Digit Green LED Display
• External 12VDC switching supply with internal LC filtration
• Critical analog supply filters using new Solid Polymer technology capacitors
• 4 Vrms balanced output level to drive any amplifier

The DAC1.5 musical performance rests on the solid foundation of the Master Reference Ultra-Clock TM, which provides jitter performance 50X better than other clocks. Specifications of 2 picoseconds RMS and frequency accuracy of 0.0001% ensure maximum dynamic range. The Ultra-Clock circuit is preceded by a new aggressive 2Hz jitter filter, ensuring that any incoming jitter on the data inputs can not compromise the final analog output signal quality.

The DAC1.5 has been optimized to provide the highest level of performance for all of these critical functions. It can provide digital preamplifier as well as D/A conversion and bridge from traditional CD or DVD player sources and from the isolated USB input for computer music playback sources.

All digital input sources benefit from the new 2Hz digital PLL stage that rolls off incoming jitter by more than 10X at 10Hz frequencies and greater than 10,000X by 100 Hz. Any incoming jitter at frequencies above 10Hz is reduced to levels that have no effect on measured or sonic performance. See page 8 for back panel.

The dedicated headphone DAC/Amplifier stage is designed to drive any headphone with remarkable fidelity. This dedicated stage insures no compromise to either the main analog outputs or the headphone output. The main analog outputs are muted digitally when a headphone is plugged into the front panel jack. There is no additional switching of any analog signals or routing of analog lines. The headphone circuitry is all DC coupled, avoiding any sonic compromise due to coupling capacitors.

The PCM1796 dual-differential multi-bit delta-sigma DAC circuit achieves remarkable analog performance. The 4VRMS true balanced XLR outputs provide 122dB of dynamic range. The noise floor of this DAC/processor is so low and so clean that the DAC1.5 is optimally used as a complete DAC/Preamplifier with a digital level control. Because of dither applied to the 24bit word there is no loss of effective resolution. The application of optimized dither insures that the analog output noise floor maintains a clean sound, devoid of any tones or artifacts. The DAC1.5 provides a quality system solution with the addition of a Bel Canto e.One amplifier, eliminating the need for an analog preamplifier.