This is the current entry point within the Audio Note Dac range and it is basically the same as the Signature design featured below, but with some lower grade components and a solid state power supply instead of a choke smoother valve one.

The Dac 2.1x Signature is a much more sizeable unit than most, although a quick glance at the picture below shows that unlike most Dacs, this is no empty box. The Signature version uses valve rectification and choke smoothing (mid left of the picture below), Audio Notes own transformers/inductors as well as their legendary paper in oil capacitors (large canisters at the right of the picture). As usual with high grade AN products there is also a smattering of Black Gate capacitors, considered by many to be the finest large value capacitors available. The output valves are 6922’s which are both easily available and affordable and it has both coaxial and AES/EBU inputs.
It is available with either a silver or black acrylic fascia as shown above.

The DAC2.1x Balanced comes in a full sized case and is quite a step beyond the Signature version shown above. The costs is also a fair hike but the changes are very significant.
The Paper in oil output capacitors have gone, replaced by much more costly output transformers. As the product name suggests, this then provides balanced XLR outputs as well as conventional single ended phono sockets. The removal of the output capacitors provides a more expressive dynamic presentation over the lower models which goes to show the inherent colourations of even the best capacitors in this application. There is remarkable increase in solidity to the sound, with another layer of hash removed to give a real feeling of being one more step closer to the musicians.
It is available with either a silver or black acrylic fascia as shown here.

The 3.1x Balanced is like the 2.1x Balanced above, but features C-core copper wired output transformers instead of the lesser/cheaper I-E Cores. Amongst other changes it also includes superior I/V interface transformers.

The DAC 4.1 takes resolution to an even further level thanks to its use of a silver wired I/V transformer, C core output transformers, separate mains transformers for digital and analogue stages with AN tantalum resistors and Black Gate capacitors used throughout. Simply awesome.


As above but with even higher grade components including superior I/V interfaces, E182CC output stage and even higher grade output transformers.

The DAC 5 is the current ultimate realisation of the Audio Note Digital philosophy. The specification is too long to list here

As above but with even more extreme component specification including Silver wired output transformers etc.

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