Peachtree Audio sonaDAC DAC/Preamplifier/Headphone Amplifier

Three-In-One Peachtree Audio sonaDAC Functions as 32-Bit/384kHz DAC, Headphone Amplifier, and Balanced Preamplifier: High-End Sound and 2x DSD Capability from Hardcover-Sized Component

Peachtree Audio's stunning three-in-one sonaDAC fits a DAC, preamplifier, and noise-free headphone amplifier into a true high-end component that's no bigger than the size of a book. How's that for compact performance? SonaDAC includes a 32-bit ESS 9018 Sabre Reference DAC that supports high-resolution 32-bit/384kHz PCM and 2x DSD. A balanced design with discrete components, independent signal paths, and a volume-control bypass for streaming, sonaDAC can drive any power amplifier or powered speakers via its XLR or RCA outputs. Any way you slice it, this 8.5-pound flyweight crushes heavier, costlier components with versatility and natural, distortion-free sound. Pair sonaDAC with its sister sonaAMP power amplifier and enjoy a fully balanced system that's no bigger than two hardcover books. Incredible!

3-in-1 Component Design: The Peachtree Audio sonaDAC is three components in one; a reference quality Digital-to-Analog Converter, a balanced line-level preamplifier, and a high-performance headphone amplifier. The sonaDAC is equally at home on your desktop as a DAC/headphone amp driving high-performance headphones, or coupled with Peachtree Audio's sonaAMP (sold separately) to power high-quality bookshelf monitors or audiophile-grade floorstanding loudspeakers.

32-Bit DAC: The sonaDAC utilizes the highly regarded ESS 9018 Sabre Reference 32-bit DAC designed for natural music reproduction and an extremely low noise floor.
Preamplifier: The sonaDAC is also a balanced line-level preamp that can drive any power amplifier or powered speakers via its XLR or RCA outputs.
Headphone Amp: In addition, the SonaDAC is a personal audio listening station with an extremely powerful and noise-free built-in headphone amplifier that makes listening to music through headphones an absolute delight.
Note: For a complete Peachtree solution, the sonaDAC can be paired with Peachtree Audio's sonaAMP (731SONAAMP, sold separately) for a high-performance, fully-balanced Hi-Fi system.
32-Bit ESS Sabre Reference DAC: The sonaDAC's 32-bit ESS Sabre Reference DAC (ESS9018) will make all of your compressed & high res music files sound superb. It supports everything from compressed MP3s all the way up to ultra-high-resolution music files including 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD. By utilizing ESS's patented Time Domain Jitter Eliminator and HyperStream architecture, the sonaDAC is able to create incredibly musical sound reproduction from any digital file. You can select from two DAC filter modes - Flat (provides extremely accurate internal digital-to-analog conversion) & Smooth (provides a more sonically pleasing internal digital-to-analog conversion).

Balanced Design w/ Independent Signal Paths: The Peachtree sonaDAC follows a purist design philosophy, utilizing short signal paths and carefully selected components to maximize dynamic range and minimize noise. There are 3 completely independent audio circuits inside the sonaDAC; one from the DAC to the XLR balanced output, a second from the DAC to the RCA output, and a third from the DAC to the headphone output.

The XLR and RCA paths are balanced from the DAC all the way to the class A output stage; these audio paths are also isolated from each other and utilize high-performance discrete components for optimal sound quality.
The path from the DAC to the headphone output is extremely short, with only a buffer in between the DAC and the headphone amp, for maximum transparency and minimal noise.
Headphone Amplifier: The sonaDAC's headphone amplifier is a minimalist design with very few components in the signal path, offering ultra-low-noise and an extremely wide range of gain. The Peachtree sonaDAC will drive any headphone, from sensitive in-ear monitors to high-impedance over-the-ear models, with ease and transparency. The sonaDAC utilizes an ultra-high-precision 32-bit volume control with exceptional gain tracking and channel balance. With a sonaDAC powering your headphones you'll hear the emotional impact of your music more easily with superior transparency, greater dynamic range, rock solid imaging and less background noise.

Large Power Supply: The sonaDAC utilizes a large power supply with plenty of power reserves and multiple points of regulation. This ensures that the DAC always has the power needed to reproduce deep bass, smooth high frequency detail and pinpoint imaging.

Connections
Asynchronous USB-B Port: The Peachtree Audio sonaDAC is fitted with an asynchronous USB (type-B) port for connecting your Windows PC or Mac computer. Asynchronous technology allows the digital clock inside sonaDAC to control the flow of data coming from your computer. This method of communication leads to less jitter (timing errors) for the unit's ESS Reference Sabre DAC to deal with which results in clearer more defined sound. Via its USB port, the sonaDAC accepts up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM music files and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD music files.There are two USB modes - USB 1.0 and USB 2.0.

USB 1.0: Select USB 1.0 for Windows PC and music files up to 96kHz.
USB 2.0: Select USB 2.0 for Mac and music files up to 384kHz. Select USB 2.0 for Windows PC and music files over 96kHz.
Note: Window PC with music files above 96kHz will require the installation of the included Windows USB Driver on CD-ROM. Mac computers do not require the installation of an additional USB driver.
Optical & Coaxial Inputs: The Peachtree Audio sonaDAC is equipped with two optical (toslink) digital inputs and two coaxial (RCA) digital inputs on its rear-panel. The optical digital inputs will support 2ch PCM audio signals up to 96kHz, while the coaxial digital inputs will support 2ch PCM audio signals up to 192kHz.

XLR & RCA Outputs: The sonaDAC offers both a stereo XLR and RCA output for connecting a power amplifier, like the Peachtree Audio sonaAMP, or a pair of powered speakers. These outputs can be used in conjunction with one another, so you can connect the sonaDAC to a power amplifier and a powered subwoofer.

Headphone Jack: The Peachtree Audio sonaDAC's is fitted with a 1/4" headphone jack on the front-panel for connecting a set of headphones. Inserting a headphone cable automatically mutes the sonaDAC's XLR & RCA outputs.

USB-A Port: On the rear-panel of the sonaDAC is a USB (type-A) port with a 5-volt DC output that can be used to charge a mobile device. This USB port does not support audio playback.

Optional Bluetooth Receiver: You can add Peachtree Audio's BT1 Bluetooth receiver (731BT1, sold separately) to the sonaDAC, so you can wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. The BT1 Bluetooth receiver plugs into the sonaDAC's optical digital input for audio and its USB (type-A) port for power.

12V Trigger Out: The 12-volt trigger output (3.5mm) enables power on/off control of another component with a 12V trigger input, like the Peachtree Audio sonaAMP stereo power amplifier.

AC Power: The three-prong AC input on the rear-panel of the sonaDAC accepts the included 5' detachable AC power cord.

Controls
IR Remote: The included IR remote provides wireless operation of the Peachtree Audio sonaDAC. From the remote you can control Power On/Standby Volume Up/Down, Mute, Source Selection, and Phase adjustment.

Front-Panel Controls: On the front-panel of the sonaDAC is a power on/standby button, a rotary volume control knob, and source select buttons (USB / OPT1 / OPT2 / COAX1 / COAX2). There is also a "Phase" button on the front-panel.

Rear-Panel Buttons: On the rear-panel of the sonaDAC is the main Power On/Off switch, USB 1.0/2.0 switch, and the Filter (Flat/Smooth) switch. There is also a AC voltage selector switch (115V/230V) on the rear-panel.

Phase Button: There is a "Phase" button on the front-panel and remote control that inverts the phase of the XLR, RCA, and Headphone outputs.

Volume Control Bypass: The challenge with most streaming devices is that the application used to control them also includes a volume "slider", effectively placing two volume controls in the signal path; the one in the app plus the one in the preamp. Peachtree's sonaDAC includes an innovative volume control bypass feature that completely removes the volume control from the signal path. This allows you to control system volume directly from the slider on the associated control application for any given input, in addition to controlling your musical selections. Simply select your music and adjust your system volume right from the palm of your hand using your mobile device or computer. And since this feature can be set individually per input, you can configure the sonaDAC to only control the volume level for the sources that don't include their own volume control.