Xindak DAC5

Xindak DAC5 can upgrade the digital signal recorded in PCM format of common CD/DVD/BR/PC players, up to 24Bit/192Khz to achieve higher processing precision and highly improve the dynamics and treble extension, making the sound more mellow with richer soundstages and stereo images.

The Xindak DAC5 is one of the best affordable DACs on the market, it provides high-end audio performance at a reasonable price. The DAC5 brings the music to life with 6922/ECC88 Tube and Solid State Analog Outputs. A rich array of technology goes into the DAC5 for the best sonic performance. It has Analog Devices highly acclaimed AD1852 24Bit/192KHz DAC for digital to analog conversion. A patented voltage bias technology on capacitors helps to minimize the distortion at high frequencies. Switchable oversampling rates at 24Bit/192Khz and 24Bit/96Khz allows better processing precision and therefore much improved dynamics, treble extension and rock-solid soundstages.

Two toroidal transformers powers six independent sets of regulators for the digital and analog sections, and the left and right channels. Each of these circuits are ensured to operate at their most stable and best working condition. Additionally, Exact System Clock Circuit (ESCC) is put in place to prevent even the smallest clock speed variation. You will be very delighted to see the best quality components under the hood: WIMA film caps, large Rubycon filter cap, etc.

The Dual output mode is another exciting feature of DAC-5. The vacuum tube analog output is based on a 6922/ECC88 tube while the solid-state counterpart is based on Burr-Brown's OPA2064 Op-Amp. DAC-5 is carefully designed and implemented to attain the full capability of extracting the complete dynamics and details from the most demanding music passages with majestic authority. Expect surprises that are beyond all expectations.

Testing DAC5 in Audiofoni magazine: "Tubes need both burn in and warm-up before they give their best performance. After cooling, tube change and another warm-up period the Siemens NOS tube was allowed to play with the music. The original tube had more bass, but too much some times. With the far more expensive Siemens NOS tube installed the tonal-balance became more natural. The most important thing though was that the husky sibilants were not present anymore and the soundstage therefore became more defined. It became possible to pinpoint every instrument, even in large symphonies, and every instrument appeared more realistic - in other words a huge improvement. Finally I tested the transistor output….and was caught off guard resulting in me sitting gaping for a while - because now the soundstage became even wider, with even more warmth. Every instrument sounded more open and was more present in the room. Perhaps the tubes had more fun-factor, and I guess it became clear to me that I preferred the tubes on raw music like Rage Against The Machines. Still I preferred the transistor output on acoustical and classical music and this is to me the best output the DAC5 has.

When less is a lot, the differences are many, but small. Dire Straits, Bo Kaspers Orkester, Katie Melua, Kari Bremnes and Cincinatti Pops Orchestra were chosen as test music because I think they have qualities which reveal differences. You have to really focus to detect them, and often they are easier to feel - because these small improvements give huge amounts of wellbeing. It is as if going from irritation to joy, the feeling of involving into the music increases more than the audible differences. You have to, as always, take into consideration matching with your other equipment, but anyway the Xindak DAC5 is a very good DAC at its price range. Especially the transistor output impressed me, and for those who like tweaking tube-rolling is always an exciting possibility. The DAC5 is a clear upgrade for regular DVD-players and network players."