NuPrime DAC-9H DAC and Headphone Amplifier

Reference Class DAC & Headphone Amp Designed For Studio Professionals

With its AES and XLR outputs and decoding capability of PCM 384K & DSD256, the NuPrime DAC-9H is a reference-class DAC designed for studio professionals. With four digital and one analog stereo inputs, the DAC-9 is a full-featured DAC and preamp ideally suited for high-end systems. The DAC-9H differs from NuPrime's popular DAC-9 with its additional balanced 4.4mm 'Pentaconn' socket and 3.5mm standard stereo headphone outputs that support Single Ended Unbalanced, Fully Balanced, and Active Balanced Ground Driving operation.

State Of The Art Balanced Headphone Amplifier

The DAC-9H headphone amplifier is capable of driving the most demanding headphones, be it through the balanced 4.4mm 'Pentaconn' socket or the 3.5mm standard stereo socket. The 'Pentaconn' socket (manufactured by Nippon Dics Co.) is the new unified standard for balanced headphone connection which headphone and cable manufacturers are using in their new and future products. Audiophile quality components and a fully balanced layout ensures minimal crosstalk and maximum channel separation. Supplying up to 1.2W of output power, the circuitry supports Single Ended Unbalanced, Fully Balanced and Active Balanced Ground Driving. Besides offering a high level of transparency through both types of connection, each offers a slightly different flavor.

Through the 4.4mm 'Pentaconn' socket balanced output, listeners will appreciate the pristine background with the absence of noise. The soundstage is wide and possess a strong presence with a full and extended bass.

Through the 3.5mm socket low impedance output, the sound is clearly outlined and has a sense of naturalness. The midrange performance is a prominent highlight and imaging is solidly focused.

A Reference LE Class Preamp

To meet the requirement of customers who want to eliminate extra components in their system, a high-end preamp capable of driving the power amplifier directly is an essential part of the design. The DAC-9 includes features borrowed from traditional high-end preamps. These consist of an advanced, FPGA implemented switched-resistor ladder network for controlling volume (i.e., a single resistor in the signal path at any volume setting), individually adjustable volume on each input for precise source level matching, and volume adjustment in 99 precise, 0.5dB increments.

Award-Winning DAC Design

As the heart of an audio system, the DAC-9H supports an extensive number of inputs and formats. Utilizing one of the world's best performing 32-bit audio DACs, the AK4490, EQ is only a first step for designing the ultimate DAC. State-of-the-art solutions along with the experience and proprietary know-how in creating many Editor's Choice and Product of The Year award-winning products elevate the NuPrime DAC-9 Hwell above the competition.

The state-of-the-art AK4490 DAC is characterized by warmer sonic characteristics, and it supports USB PCM 384 and DSD256. It supports DSD native playback by ASIO2.1 and DoP method. DSD is decoded natively with the same sample rate as the input source. A proprietary NuPrime implementation is also capable of decoding DoP formats via coaxial and optical inputs (to support NuPrime source devices that are able to output DoP stream in addition to S/PDIF).

Overview

• DAC, headphone amp, preamp
• AKM Newest Generation: High Sound Quality Premium 32-bit Stereo DAC (AK4490 EQ)
• State-of-the-art DAC has warm sonic characteristics
• Supports USB PCM 384 and DSD256
• Supports DSD native playback by ASIO2.1 and DoP method. DSD is decoded natively with the same sample rate as the input source.
• Proprietary NuPrime implementation decodes DoP formats via coaxial and optical inputs (to support NuPrime source devices that are able to output DoP stream in addition to S/PDIF)
• Full microprocessor control with memory retention for each inputs volume control
• Five digital inputs and one stereo input for complete system flexibility
• Ultra-low-noise JFETs in the input stage for the lowest possible noise floor
• Volume adjustment in 99 precise 0.5dB increments
• Advanced, FPGA implemented thin-film switched-resistor ladder network for controlling volume, with a single resistor in the signal path at any volume setting
• Individually adjustable volume on each input for precise level matching of sources.( If DAC-9 is connected to another preamp or home theater AVP, set the volume @ 94, which is 0dB.)
• Exclusive driver software for Windows (Mac uses standard system driver)
• Asynchronous transfer mode
• Very low power consumption on Standby Mode
• NuPrime vibration-free isolation feet (patent pending)
• Extension port for Bluetooth dongle and WiFi audio streaming (optional, sold separately)
• Available in black or silver anodized aluminum finish

• 1 x USB PCM / DSD Digital (PCM up to 384kHz & DSD up to DSD256 )
• 1 x Coaxial Digital S/PDIF (PCM up to 192KHz supporting DoP format DSD64)
• 1 x Optical Digital S/PDIF (PCM up to 192KHz supporting DoP format DSD64)
• 1 x Bluetooth or WiFi receiver module (optional, sold separately)
• 1 x AES balance XLR (PCM up to 192KHz)
• 1 x Analog Stereo RCA (does not go through A2D conversion, analog input is selected by the preamp directly to analog outputs)

• 1 x pair of stereo RCA out (max output 4V)
• 1 x pair of stereo XLR balanced out (max output 8V)
• 1 x Optical S/DPIF out
• Balanced 4.4mm 'Pentaconn' socket and 3.5mm standard stereo socket headphone outputs

• 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz, 192KHz, 352.8KHz, 384KHz and DSD 2.8MHz(64), 5.6MHz(128), 11.2MHz(256)

• 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96, 176.4KHz, 192KHz, 352.8KHZ, 384KHz (Coaxial)

• 16-32-bits

• THD+N: 0.0015%
• Dynamic range: >-113dB
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 80kHz
• Dimensions: 9.25" W x 11" D x 2.2" H (including feet)
• Weight: 5 lbs.