John
I saw Wyred4Sound’s forthcoming portable DAC/head-amp at this year’s RMAF – now it has a tentative street date of December 2012. The µDAC-HD shares the same casework as the original µDAC, drops optical and coaxial inputs and picks-up a quarter inch headphone socket.
Data feeds of up to 24/192 and Linux compatibility are handled by the (USB Audio Class 2.0) XMOS chipset. However, what sets this unit apart from much of the competition at this price point is that it doesn’t rely on the ESS Sabre 9023 chip’s 2V push for its output. Chief designer EJ Sarmento has instead dropped in the line stage from his STP-SE pre-amplifier for (as the web copy calls it) “improved dynamics and clarity”.
The µDAC-HD can be powered direct from your USB port or by the supplied 9V PSU. The latter is required for powering more current-hungry cans via the Class A output stage.
RRP is $499.
Further information: Wyred4Sound
