SW1X DAC IV

TDA1541 DAC with 6V6 Valve Output Stage & Signal Output Transformers

DAC IV is a further development in musical scale & refinement of the already magical sounding TDA1541 based DAC III Balanced, with the introduction of Power Output Valves and Directly Heated Diodes (DHD) in the power supply. The DHD valve power supplies are 2 x choke filtered and quasi dual mono in design.

All our top tier DACs are based on the legendary Philips TDA1541 DAC. The sonic presentation of the DAC IV is another step up relative to the DAC III Balanced; its presentation of music is more mature and is on a larger scale. The transients are presented with a great dynamic bite, making it probably the most dynamic DAC currently in production.

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SW1X DAC IV

TDA1541 DAC with 6V6 Valve Output Stage & Signal Output Transformers

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SW1X Audio Design™ DAC IV Features:

Performance Level 4
Pure NOS (Non oversampling – zero digital domain filtering) R2R Design
Highest Grade TDA1541
Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality
Directly Heated Double Diode tube rectified C2xLC (2 x choke filtered) quasi dual mono power supply
Anode Choke loaded or Signal Output Transformer De-coupled, Zero NFB, Triode Valve Output Stage
SW1X Audio Design™ Custom Designed Copper wound Super HiB DC core Chokes or Signal Output Transformers
Discrete Transistor Shunt Regulated Low Voltage Power Supplies
Orient grain M6 EI core mains Transformers & Chokes

“Quite simply the best digital converter for hi-fi I have ever heard”
Grover Neville – Indulgr.com

Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality

Specially treated SW1X Audio Design™ 80% Nickel Mumetal Core Intefrace Transformer
SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper (Copper/Silver {Classic} or all Silver {Signature}) wound M6 EI core, Super HiB or Ultra HiB DC core Signal OPT
M6 grain orient EI core Mains Transformers & Chokes (SHiB double C-core available as an option)
Black Gate de-coupling Capacitors for TDA1541 DAC
Internally wired exclusively with our SW1X Magnum, Genesis and Opus conductors of various geometry (single strand or Litz)
AN Copper Foil in Oil (or Silver foil on request) interstage Signal de-coupling Capacitors
AB 2W non-magnetic Carbon film Resistors

Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality

Specially treated SW1X Audio Design™ 80% Nickel Mumetal Core Intefrace Transformer
SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper (Copper/Silver {Classic} or all Silver {Signature}) wound M6 EI core, Super HiB or Ultra HiB DC core Signal OPT
M6 grain orient EI core Mains Transformers & Chokes (SHiB double C-core available as an option)
Black Gate de-coupling Capacitors for TDA1541 DAC
Internally wired exclusively with our SW1X Magnum, Genesis and Opus conductors of various geometry (single strand or Litz)
AN Copper Foil in Oil (or Silver foil on request) interstage Signal de-coupling Capacitors
AB 2W non-magnetic Carbon film Resistors

Tube Compliment

2 x 6J5

2 x 6V6

1 x 5U4G

1 x E180F

1 x EAA91

Tube Compliment

2 x 6J5

2 x 6V6

1 x 5U4G

1 x E180F

1 x EAA91

Versions

DAC IV is available with a following output transformer (OPTs) specifications:

Standard : SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper wound, orient grain M6 EI Core OPTs
Special : SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper wound Super HiB DC Core OPTs
Classic : SW1X Audio Design™ Copper/Silver Windings, Super HiB DC Core OPTs
Signature : SW1X Audio Design™ Silver/Silver Windings, Super HiB DC Core OPTs

Versions

DAC IV is available with a following output transformer (OPTs) specifications:

Standard : SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper wound, orient grain M6 EI Core OPTs
Special : SW1X Audio Design™ all Copper wound Super HiB DC Core OPTs
Classic : SW1X Audio Design™ Copper/Silver Windings, Super HiB DC Core OPTs
Signature : SW1X Audio Design™ Silver/Silver Windings, Super HiB DC Core OPTs

Colors

DAC V is available in matte Black or satin Silver front fascia and following top panel options:

Anodised Aluminium in satin Silver or Black finish (standard)
Brushed Brass (yellow glow)
Brushed Pure Copper (orange glow)
Paint Finishes any of the ones stated below:

a) Satin Audi Metallic Grey

b) Gloss Gunmetal Black

c) Gloss Porsche Guards Red

d) Black-Silver Hammered Vintage Paint finish

Optional Extras:

Fully Hardwired Tube Output Stage on the Bakelite Board
Fine Silver wiring on the Input, Bakelite Board and Output
SW1X Audio Design™ Custom Designed & Fully or Partly Silver wound Super HiB DC core Signal Output Transformers
Super HiB double C-Core mains transformers for the digital and DHT/DHD power supplies
TDA1541R Selected or optional TDA1541A S1 or S2 Selected Crown version
Silver Foil capacitors Inter-stage Signal de-coupling Capacitors

Optional Extras:

Fully Hardwired Tube Output Stage on the Bakelite Board
Fine Silver wiring on the Input, Bakelite Board and Output
SW1X Audio Design™ Custom Designed & Fully or Partly Silver wound Super HiB DC core Signal Output Transformers
Super HiB double C-Core mains transformers for the digital and DHT/DHD power supplies
TDA1541R Selected or optional TDA1541A S1 or S2 Selected Crown version
Silver Foil capacitors Inter-stage Signal de-coupling Capacitors

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

Specifications

Dimensions: Height (mm) 250 x Width (mm) 450 x Depth (mm) 410
Weight (kg): 20
Max Power Consumption (W): 80
Output Noise, Unweighted (mVrms): < 0.5
Output Impedance (Ohms): <100

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SW1X DAC Spec Sheet Features Inputs Outputs Table

Digital Transport Product Overview

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SW1X DAC IV

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1 reviews

Clive Williams

Aug 24, 2025

by Clive Williams

My Favorite DAC IV Special

I had really never heard about SW1X . I stumbled on a review by accident in 2022. I looked up the Website and found it Really interesting, the engineering and how their circuits are implemented.
No gimmicks and all the bla, bla like some other DACs. The only way could listen to the product was on YouTube with my noise cancelling Headphones. I liked what I heard and I decided to take the chance and I got in touch with Slawa. We had a few conversations and after that, the Cash was on its way. It was a smooth transaction, I received the DAC, great packaging . Hooked it up and about a week of listening, Wow, Fantastic. it did'nt crush some of the other great DACs I had here but, it was a definite step up. Very lively sound top to bottom with body and accurate timber. It just disappeared , noting but sweet music, open and dynamic . It likes to be really warmed up. For serious listening, I would turn it on for about 5 hrs before listening. I use it the way I like it, hooked up to my ANUK level 4 CD Transport. Yes 44.1 Khz Red Book when done the correct way works for me. I have spent a lot of time around Live Music and Master Tapes. I am not into blowing smoke, I just listen to the Music. Right now, I am plotting to see if I can move up in the SW1X ladder.