[Mampus]

Anyone interested?

Dr. DAC prime simply has everything you need in order to listen to digital music with pristine audio quality on the road or at your home.

Dr. DAC prime works with up to 24bit/192kHz and is not only equipped with both an optical (via the included miniplug-toslink adapter) and coaxial S/PDIF input but also with a full USB audio interface (up to 24bit/96kHz) for bit-perfect audio transfer. Optionally the incoming signal can be upsampled to 192kHz, using a TI SRC4382 high end sample rate converter.

The actual analog output signal is generated by a TI PCM1796 DAC with 123dB(a) dynamic range, featuring a full differental output with 3 LME49860NA opamps (8 pin) which are conveniently placed on sockets. The built-in headphone amplifier provides 1/8" and 1/4" connectors. The line output volume can be adjusted or fixed to send out the maximum dynamic range.

But Dr. DAC prime is much more: it provides line inputs (AKM AK5386 ADC with 110dB) as well as optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, allowing you to record your own signals with excellent audio quality.

Dr. DAC prime works under Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 as well as Mac OS X even without the installation of any driver software - that's Plug & Play in perfection, it could not be more simple.
Device Type

* digital to analog converter
* USB audio interface
* headphone amplifier

Key Specifications and Features

* max. 24bit/192khz S/PDIF input: coaxial & optical combo receiver module
- S/PDIF input => S/PDIF output bypass support
- S/PDIF input => line & headphone output support
- S/PDIF input => computer recording support
* max. 24bit/96khz bit-perfect S/PDIF output: coaxial & optical combo transmitter module
- USB input => S/PDIF output support
- AC-3/DTS non-PCM pass thru support (Windows Vista / 7)
* 24bit/192kHz upsampled S/PDIF output (optical & coaxial)
- USB input => 192kHz S/PDIF output
- coaxial input => 192kHz S/PDIF output
- optical input => 192kHz S/PDIF output
* 2 3.5mm mini plug-toslink optical adpters bundled
* TI SRC4382 high-end combo sample rate converter: 32kHz ~ 192kHz input support
* S/PDIF & USB input bypass, 192kHz upsampling support with SRC4382
* +-1ppm 24.576MHz TCXO for S/PDIF input
* Tenor TE7022L USB audio controller
* +-1ppm 12.000MHz TCXO for USB input to S/PDIF / I2S output
* 2 channel line input with RCA connectors
- line input => line output & headphone output support
- AKM AK5386 24bit/192kHz ADC (S/N ratio 110dB)
- 1pc 8pin DIP opamp (S4580P) with socket
* 2 channel line output with RCA connectors
- anti-pop circuit support
- Triple opamp fully differential output: 3pcs 8pin DIP opamp (LME49860NA) with socket
- TI / Burr Brown PCM1796 24bit/192kHz 123dB DAC
* stereo headphone output
- 6.3mm / 1/4" headphone jack
- 3.5mm / 1/8" headphone jack
* volume control gain knob
- fixed line level output - FIX
- variable line level output - VAR
- high-quality analog volume potentiometer
- aluminum cut volume knob
* line output switch for fixed (FIX) or variable (VAR) output volume
* source selection (USB-ANALOG-DIGITAL switch): 3 position toggle switch with LEDs (green)
* line output mute on/off switch (has no effect on headphone output)
* standby/power on switch
- standby (red)
- power on (blue)
* S/PDIF & USB input bypass / 192kHz upsampling: 2 position toggle switch
* multi-colored LED display
- MUTE (red)
- NO SIGNAL (orange)
- NON-PCM (pure green)
- PCM (pure green)
- 192kHz upsampling (pure blue)
* DC 9V~12V wide range power input
* 12V / 1.5A DC adapter included

Frankly, i'm interested with this one

 

[mikechai]

I think you can't go wrong with this. How much is this? You should get 1 and let us know your findings.

 

[Mampus]

In this link DBS GmbH - Dr. DAC prime

399 Euros

No idea about the sound. Anyone tried this?

 

[leeperry]

AudioTrak is not owned by ESI anymore, Gyrocom bought it from them a few years back...and this german website is grossly overpriced, besides Dr Dac appears to be phased out.

you can get its replacement for much cheaper here, directly from the manufacturer: [NEW] AUDIOTRAK DR.DAC2 DX Digital to Analog Converter - eBay

more infos: AUDIOTRAK Products Pages

 

[mikechai]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeperry /img/forum/go_quote.gif AudioTrak is not owned by ESI anymore, Gyrocom bought it from them a few years back...and this german website is grossly overpriced, besides Dr Dac appears to be phased out. you can get its replacement for much cheaper here, directly from the manufacturer: [NEW] AUDIOTRAK DR.DAC2 DX Digital to Analog Converter - eBay more infos: AUDIOTRAK Products Pages

ESI Dr. DAC Prime supposedly newer than Audiotrak DrDAC2 DX. And the Dr. DAC Prime no longer carries Audiotrak brand name. ESI branded or co-branded. Correct me if I'm wrong.
ESI - Dr. DAC prime

 

[leeperry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikechai /img/forum/go_quote.gif ESI Dr. DAC Prime supposedly newer than Audiotrak DrDAC2 DX. And the Dr. DAC Prime no longer carries Audiotrak brand name. ESI branded. ESI - Dr. DAC prime

hah, this AudioTrak sale does make things complicated...but the new Prodigy HD2 Advance DE from Gyrocom has far better caps than the old ESI version, so one would need to compare their specs I guess?

OTOH, drivers-wise the ESI will prolly be much better indeed.

 

[leeperry]

apparently they're all OEM from this company: JINEUNG ELECOM - UHF-1 USB TranspoDAC , DAC-1 OVERTURE USB , UHF-nano/S , USB audio

 

[sniper0710]

I dont think DAC prime is newer than DAC2 DX

I see the review of DAC prime posted in 2009 August and DAC2 DX published in 2009 July.

I listend to these two machines with original op,and DAC2 DX with 49720HA*5
The sound of DAC prime is thin and full of detail.
The DAC2 DX is warmer than DAC prime,and its amp is much powerful the DAC prime.

I use ultrasone Pro 900,Shure SCL5,Victor DX1000 by the phone out of these two machines,and I think DAC2 DX is better than DAC prime in any aspect.

I also tried the headphones above with these two machines and used X-CAN V8P as the amp to test the DAC part of these two machines.

Both of them work good in DA part,and I think their DAC is in the same level.

By the way,I dont think DAC2 DX with 49720HA*5 is a good choice.

 

[mikechai]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeperry /img/forum/go_quote.gif apparently they're all OEM from this company: JINEUNG ELECOM - UHF-1 USB TranspoDAC , DAC-1 OVERTURE USB , UHF-nano/S , USB audio

You are damn right.
product > DAC_eng > ìœ*럽íŒë§¤ ëª¨ë¸ DAC-1 Overture

 

[K3cT]

I have the Dr. DAC in my possession now and will be doing a review on it. Initial impressions are pretty positive: this is a very detailed sounding DAC. When I first fired it up, the treble was downright offensive but after about 10 hours of continuous playback it's a lot tamer now. I'll probably compare it with the γ2 in the near future once it's finished.

 

[jonhapimp]

looking forward to the review

 

[Il Mostro]

Regarding differences... DAC 2 DX lacks the fixed/variable line level output switch and power standby switch. The ESI and JAVS units have one each 1/4" and 1/8" headphone jacks, rather than two 1/4".

 

[K3cT]

The unit is cooking up along nicely now and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed. The overall sound is a bit more to the cold side but the Prime puts out a lot of details and dynamics are really good too. I used to own the Compass and the contrast is rather refreshing as far as sound signature of the DAC goes and details-wise, the Prime is definitely the winner here.

 

[burgunder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the Dr. DAC in my possession now and will be doing a review on it. Initial impressions are pretty positive: this is a very detailed sounding DAC. When I first fired it up, the treble was downright offensive but after about 10 hours of continuous playback it's a lot tamer now. I'll probably compare it with the γ2 in the near future once it's finished.

I know it's a bit late for this but do you have any comments on the Dr. DAC vs. the γ2. They were rated very close in the recent review at Headfonia the same goes for the Audinst HUD-MX1 BTW.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT /img/forum/go_quote.gif The unit is cooking up along nicely now and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed. The overall sound is a bit more to the cold side but the Prime puts out a lot of details and dynamics are really good too. I used to own the Compass and the contrast is rather refreshing as far as sound signature of the DAC goes and details-wise, the Prime is definitely the winner here.

Have you considered changing the opamps? IIRC, they are in sockets.
My guess would be they are generic low cost opamps to keep the price down. Change them out with some high end units and you will probably get a boost in sound quality.