VAC DAC Mk II Triode D/A converter

The VAC DAC Mk II marks digital audio's coming of age.  At last you can forget about the bits and become lost in the emotion and majesty of great musical performances.

To minimize noise and jitter, the VAC DAC uses passive logic techniques.  The Direct-Coupled Cross-Referenced One-Bit converters achieve a natural cancellation of digital artifacts, allowing the transparency, body, and spaciousness so long absent.  Emotional contrasts are vivid and palpable. (Click here for a discussion of One-Bit converters.)

The analogue stage is hand wired with four twin triodes operating in Class A1 with no global feedback.  Power is provided by a separate massive 25 pound supply.  One AT&T optical and two SPDIF coaxial inputs are standard, as are single-ended and balanced outputs.  A digital output is provided for use with CD-R and R-DAT recorders.  AES-EBU inputs and outputs may be specified as options.

Status indication is made via a "magic eye" vacuum tube, which is attractive and does not generate the noise typical of matrixed LCD displays.

     "This was some of the best sound I've ever heard from CDs anywhere-with "bloom" and air and surging dynamics that seemed to breathe with each musical phrase."
    Peter W. Mitchell, Stereophile Vol 15 No 5


DAC Mk II abridged specifications:
Supported: SP-DIF, AES-EBU
Sampling Rates: 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
Standard inputs: 2 coaxial, 1 optical AT&T type
Output Voltage: 8 volts from unbalanced outputs
Distortion: .04% at -9 VU, 1 kHz, unbalanced
Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AU7
Size: 18"W x 6"H x 15"D main chassis
7"W x 6.5"H x 13"D power supply
Weight: 30 lbs. main chassis, 26 lbs. supply chassis
U.S.Warranty: 3 years (excluding tubes)