DAC-5 vs Burson Audio DA160
The DA160's bit depth is 24-bit against the DAC-5's 20-bit, its signal-to-noise 101 dB against 100 dB, its thd 0.001% against 0.000%, and its output impedance 25Ω against 200Ω.
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
DigitalDACsDiscontinued
Estimated price (community-sourced)
$699
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the DAC-5
The Audio Research DAC-5 is a high-fidelity digital-to-analog converter introduced in 1996, designed to deliver precise and natural sound reproduction. It uses a 20-bit bitstream converter with a switched capacitor 1-bit DAC and supports a maximum input resolution of 16 bits. The DAC-5 features solid-state circuitry and offers both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. It has a frequency response of 0.1-20,000 Hz with ±0.25 dB accuracy and a very low distortion of -94 dB (0.0002%) at 1 kHz balanced output. The signal-to-noise ratio is 100 dB (A-weighted, balanced), with a channel separation of 110 dB at 1 kHz. The output impedance is 200 Ohms unbalanced and 400 Ohms balanced. Digital inputs include TOSLINK fiber optics, BNC coaxial SPDIF, and XLR balanced AES/EBU. The unit measures 19" W x 3.5" H x 11.75" D and weighs 8.6 lbs net. It is known for its clean, natural sound and solid build quality, making it a respected classic in the audiophile community.
Specifications
Digital Audio
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
- Bit Depth
- 20-bit
- MQA Support
- No
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- THD
- 0.000%
- SNR
- 100 dB
- Output Voltage
- 2.0V RMS
- Output Impedance
- 200Ω
- Max Output Voltage
- 4.0V RMS
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Bluetooth
- No
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Ethernet
- No
- Digital Inputs
- TOSLINK, BNC, XLR
- Analog Outputs
- RCA, XLR
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Dimensions
- 482.6 × 88.9 × 298.5 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- 3.9 kg (9 lbs)
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions