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The Audio Note UK DAC 4.1X Balanced Signature is a premium digital to analogue converter designed for ultimate sonic fidelity rather than technical specification metrics. It employs an 18-bit Analogue Devices AD1865 stereo converter chip, chosen for its superior sound quality over higher bit versions. The DAC eschews oversampling, jitter reduction, noise shaping, and re-clocking, performing all filtering in the analogue domain to preserve wideband phase-frequency and dynamic coherence. The upgraded M6 line pre-amplifier output stage uses a pair of 5687 double triode valves coupled with a 33:1 step-down output transformer wound with Audio Note copper wire on a High B C-core, delivering wide frequency response and excellent dynamic transfer. The unit features both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, with high-quality connectors. Power is supplied by a dual-channel valve-rectified power supply with double choke filtering, providing excellent isolation and low noise. Internal components include Audio Note capacitors and tantalum film resistors, with filter inductors and wiring made from Audio Note wire. Inputs include RCA 75 Ohms SPDIF and XLR 110 Ohms AES/EBU. The DAC weighs approximately 42 pounds and measures 18" x 6" x 17". It is housed in a robust chassis with a grey silver faceplate and a single power LED indicator. This DAC is highly regarded for its musicality, emotional engagement, and detailed, natural sound reproduction.
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The DAC 3.1x/II's output voltage is 3.2V RMS against the 4.1x's 1.5V RMS and its weight 15 kg (33 lbs) against 19.05 kg (42 lbs). Both share bit depth (18-bit) and output impedance (600Ω).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The DAC 3's output voltage is 3.2V RMS against the 4.1x's 1.5V RMS and its weight 15 kg (33 lbs) against 19.05 kg (42 lbs). Both share bit depth (18-bit) and output impedance (600Ω).
The Terminator Plus's bit depth is 24-bit against the 4.1x's 18-bit, its output impedance 625Ω against 600Ω, its output voltage 2.0V RMS against 1.5V RMS, and its weight 19 kg (42 lbs) against 19.05 kg (42 lbs).
The DAC9's bit depth is 24-bit against the 4.1x's 18-bit, its output impedance 500Ω against 600Ω, its output voltage 3.8V RMS against 1.5V RMS, and its weight 6.3 kg (14 lbs) against 19.05 kg (42 lbs).
4.1x
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