AudioNemesis

zero-oversampling digital to analogue audio converter

Awards
DC-1: www.highfidelity.pl/artykuly/0512/nagrody.html
DC-1 Upgrade Edition: www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/23_12_2008/nr2008.html

Articles
Zero-Oversampling: www.sakurasystems.com/articles/Kusunoki.html
Asyncronous Recloking: www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/anemesisdc1_2_e.html

Reviews
DC-1: www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/11_10_2006/audionemesis1.html
DC-1: www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/anemesisdc1_1_e.html
DC-1: www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/toc26.htm
DC-1: www.videohifi.com/20_digitalia.htm
DC-1 Upgrade from standard: www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/22_04_2008/audionemesis1.html
DC-1 VLE: www.abouthifi.com/review.php?s=sGQ

DC-1 VLE is a very special and unique design: it’s an extreme version of the concept born with the DC-1. Everything has been improved and everything is extreme, despite the cost. Starting from the original DC-1, we made lots of modifications, with continuous improvements (Kaizen). Along the way, the DC-1 Upgrade Edition took form, implementing a few ideas born developing the VLE. This design has been presented with a delay caused by further important improvements.
DC-1 VLE has been produced in 40 numbered pieces only.

Each one has been tested and signed by its designer Fabio Camorani.
It is a simple appliance, using only the minimum quantity of parts for the proper work, following “the simpler the better, but not even simpler”.

A few features:

• Custom mains filter
• Two power transformers – one is R-Core type
• Fast-soft recovery Diodes in TO-220 (<25ns)
• 16 separated power supplies
• 11 out of 15 power supplies are shunt regulated
• Special shunt regulated discrete power supply dedicated to each d/a chip (8 supplies) with an outstanding rejection of -120dB @ 20kHz each
• 75ohm SPDIF, Toslink and 1.1 USB inputs
• Canare special gold plated 75ohm input RCA connector
• 16bit, 32-44.1-48kHz USB input
• Gold plated USB input connector
• top quality Scientific Conversion input digital transformer, with only 0,5pF (!)
• Asyncronous reclocking circuit
• Eight (8) 16bit (multibit) d/a chip in parallel
• Zero-oversampling
• Direct output from dacs without any output stage (zero-feedback...)
• Dale 1% resistors
• Vishay (naked) very special resistor
• AudioNautes special output capacitors
• Pure silver special wires (digital and analogue
• HDG (High Density Graphite) to damp vibrations
• Professional gold-plated high quality standards PCB
• 40 individually numbered pcs only

The signal passes through a few elements only. After the input connector, there is a very special switch and then it directly goes into the receiver. The output from this chip goes to an asyncronous reclocking circuit and then to the d/a (digital to analog) converts (8 in parallel). The output from the converters goes to the output RCA connectors through special audio capacitors and pure silver special wires. That’s all, there is no output analog circuit (unlike the zero-feedback discrete circuit used in the original DC-1 and like DC-1 Upgrade Edition). This appliance offers a true analog sound.
This converter has been designed for a balanced sound, full a harmonics, without tricks: listen to it for a few hours to see.

<<..very very good, I am really happy to have now this DAC..>>

Specifications:

• Power Supply: 230/240 Vac 50 Hz +/- 10%
• Power consumption: 18 Watts
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20 kHz + 0dB/ -1dB
• Output level @ 0 dB: 1,7 Vrms @ 1kHz digital full scale
• Output: Inverting
• Converter: 8 multibit converters, 16 bit each
• Oversampling: 0 times
• THD: <0.1% @ 1,7 Vrms @ 1kHz
• Output impedance: <200 ohm
• Input: Gold plated RCA, Teflon - S/PDIF 75 Ohm - 24 bit/96 kHz Gold plated USB Series B connector 16 bit/48 kHz — USB 1.1 Specifications
• Toshiba Toslink optical digital
• Output: Gold plated RCA, Teflon - unbalanced
• Dimension (WxHxD): 23 x 8,5 x 34 cm.
• Weight: 4 Kg
• Shipping weight: 4,5 Kg
• Shipping material: paper box and polystirene - 0,5 Kg

All specifications can change without notice.

Timeline:
2004 - DC-1 officially presented (November)
2005 - DC-1 available (March)
2007 - DC-1 Upgrade KIT available (December)
2008 - DC-1 Upgrade Edition available (July)
2009 - DC-1 discontinued (March)
2009 - DC-1 VLE available (December)
2010 - DC-VLE discontinued – 40pcs only