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The Bel Canto Design DAC 1 is a compact 24/96 digital-to-analog converter introduced around 1999, designed to provide high-quality upsampling and jitter reduction in a small chassis. Measuring about 3.6"H x 3.6"W x 9"D and weighing roughly 3-4 lb, it uses premium parts such as Caddock and Roederstein resistors and Wima capacitors. The design uses a sampling-rate converter (SRC) to add dither and upsample incoming digital signals, processes signals at 96 kHz, and applies a slow roll-off filter at 48 kHz to eliminate time smear. It supports input sample rates from 32 to 96 kHz and bit depths from 16 to 24 bits, with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 112 dB and dynamic range of 112 dB. Inputs include one Toslink optical and one SPDIF coaxial RCA. The DAC 1 is no longer in production but remains a benchmark for early upsampling DACs.
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 X-DAC v3's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the DAC 1's 96 kHz, its signal-to-noise 121 dB against 112 dB, and its thd 0.002% against 0.003%. Both share bit depth (24-bit).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The DAC-R's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the DAC 1's 96 kHz, its signal-to-noise 105 dB against 112 dB, and its thd 0.006% against 0.003%. Both share bit depth (24-bit).
The Zdac's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the DAC 1's 96 kHz, its signal-to-noise 110 dB against 112 dB, and its thd 0.015% against 0.003%. Both share bit depth (24-bit).
The NuWave's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the DAC 1's 96 kHz, its signal-to-noise 80 dB against 112 dB, and its thd 0.010% against 0.003%. Both share bit depth (24-bit).
Cambridge Audio Azur 840C
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