SW1X DAC III – The Legendary Classic

SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III STD/SPX

Performance Level 3

Digital to Analogue Converter

Re-experience the legendary classic NOS R2R DAC powered by valves at its full glory, re-incarnated by SW1X Audio Design™.

DAC III builds upon the refinement of the SW1X DAC II and adds additional level of organic & analogue envelope to the sound.  The sonic character becomes indistinguishable from analogue playback when combined with analogue sounding digital transport. Available in either STD/SPX or in Balanced versions. The Balanced versions of the DAC III is equipped with signal output transformers (OTPs) providing true balanced and single ended ouputs.

For maximum synergy, musical & analogue character, all STD/SPX & Balanced versions were designed to be paired with our VDT Digital Source products.

DAC III is currently available in following versions:

• STD/ SPX (compact chassis) + VDT Digital Source
• VSB SPX (with Valve USB interface in larger, full size chassis)
• CDP III (with VDT 1/2 in full size chassis)
• Balanced/Special/Classic/ Signature (full size chassis) + VDT Digital Source

SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III Features:

• Pure NOS (Non oversampling – zero digital domain filtering) R2R Design
• Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality
• Anode Follower, Zero Negative Feedback, Single Ended, Class A, RC (resistive loaded, capacitive de-coupled) Valve Amplification Topology
• 6N6P Double Triode Valve Output Stage
• 6X5 Indirectly Heated or Directly Heated 5Y3 (SPX version) Valve rectified CLC (choke filtered) Power Supply
• Dynamic Element Matching (DEM) of the TDA1541 is powered by an asynchronous E180F Valve Clock with EAA91 Valve rectified Power Supply
• Active I/V conversion via a single specially selected transistor (with less than 10 Ohm input impedance) with the shortest signal path directly connected to the tube grid
• Circuit is wired with of a specially selected copper (single strand or Litz)
• Discrete Transistor Shunt Voltage Regulated Power Supplies for the TDA1541, SPDIF receiver and active I/V conversion
• 3 (4 x on VSB version) x EI core Mains Transformers & 2 x Chokes

Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality

• M6 grain orient EI core Mains Transformers & Chokes (SPX version)
• Black Gate de-coupling Capacitors for TDA1541 DAC (SPX version)
• AN Copper Foil Signal Output de-coupling Capacitors
• Internally wired exclusively with our SW1X Magnum, Genesis and Opus conductors of various geometry (single strand or Litz)
• AB 2W non-magnetic Carbon film Resistors (SPX version)

Tube Compliment: 1 x 6X5 (5Y3 SPX Version), 1 x 6N6P, 1 x E18oF, 1 x EAA91

Reviews

Note: Due to SW1X Audio Design’s ongoing research and development process, specifications are subject to change without notice.

Specifications

Dimensions STD version: Height (mm) 150 x Width (mm) 340 x Depth (mm) 400

Dimensions Custom with USB version: Height (mm) 150 x Width (mm) 440 x Depth (mm) 400

Weight (kg) STD version: 13.6

Weight (kg) Custom with USB version: 15.6

Max Power Consumption (W): 33

Output Noise, Unweighted (mVrms): < 0.5

Output Impedance (kOhms): <1

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