Reference One (24Bit/96KHz)

DSP-1 inside
(Using 8 Pieces of PCM1704UK Chips

and Current Transmission Technology Applied)

(ACSS/XRL/RCA output)

(Truly balanced DAC)

  About ACSS:
         ACSS (Audio-gd Current Signal System) is Audio-gd's system for transmitting audio signals in the current domain. This concept, first seen in 1966, we have used for many years, and since 2006, have evolved the technology to include all audio signals in our systems from the digital source to the power amplifier. Since 2007, ACSS components have become Audio-gd's most popular products, with a great many customers purchasing them in China and Hong Kong.

   DAC Reference One Applies Current Transmission Technology, even if you only connect to XLR or RCA output, the Reference One will always operate in ACSS technology, and benefit from ACSS technology. Therefore, XLR and RCA output will also definitely bring about improvement in sound quality.

   Uses all audiophile grade components, including DALE resistors, WIMA & EVOX caps (German brand), custom order NOVER (UK brand) caps, all audiophile grade input & output sockets and gold IEC socket.

   DAC Reference One Technical characteristics:
     DAC Reference One is the first product using LSI processor DSP-1.
     DSP-1 Device Characteristics：
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DSP1/DSP1ENspecs.htm


1. Features: Digital & Analog / Left & Right Completely Separated Internal Layout, from power transformer and rectifiers etc, radiating interferences are carefully shielded.
　

2. Performance: DAC Reference One has built in DSP-1 processor, which is a Two-channel Digital Interpolation Filter and data in-phase processor for digital audio. This Device offers advanced features for high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) applications up to 250-MHz. Data and Master-clock in-phase processing are without jitter. So DAC Reference One can offer a clear and focused soundstage, apart from accurate and neutral reproduction of the recorded disc/music.

       Theoretically when using the DSP1, data will be running parallel, achieving near zero jitter state, no matter the level of CD transport attached, be it hypermarket grade or hi-end level, you will still be getting the best and similar sound quality! Practically, through some experiment, although we could perceive the sound quality difference between differently priced and level of CD transports (as an audiophile, you can’t just follow pure theory, but you must also venture the practical side too), but final result shows that using entry level CD transport or hypermarket grade DVD player, the improvement of sound quality is huge compared to typical digital processor chip like PMD-100, DF1704 etc.

3. Clock phase noise: Many amateurs are aware that jitter affects the quality of digital and audio circuit, but the biggest effect is on clocking phase noise, this gear has extremely low phase noise due to circuit linearity and our sensible layout design, which guarantees pure power supply as a whole, achieving high transparency, detailed and transient performing sound signal.

4. ACSS output Module : The super scale ACSS module is newly developed with more advance technology and dedicated for DAC Reference One to produce even better sound quality. High precision electronic components are used to guarantee accurate balanced output. All electronic components are highly calibrated products in the circuit board. DAC Reference One has true balance, RCA, and ACSS outputs. Whatever the output chosen, the signal will go through the ACSS processing technique, ensuring the original musical characteristics of PCM1704UK without any kind of coloration.

5. Tin: DAC Reference One uses only one solder which is WBT tin.

6. Vibration and interference resistance: To achieve the best performance of DAC Reference One, heavyweight pure aluminum alloy chaises is used which prevents the eddy current of transformer from interfering with circuit board. The device net-weight is 12.5 Kg without packing. The inner sections are separated using 5MM aluminum boards among digital/analogue left/right channel components, which eliminates interference among the circuits.

7. Input Method: BNC coaxial and RCA coaxial inputs are available. The difference of extra jitter, in excess of what is produced by the transport, between BNC coaxial and RCA coaxial or AES/EBU inputs, is 10 times less in BNC compared to RCA or AES/EBU, and 20 times less than that of AT&T Optical input.

8. Power supply: DAC Reference One uses three different types of power transformers to match different electric circuitry. The power transformers and rectifiers are carefully shielded from the electric field of the power transformers and rectifiers’frequency transmission. More than 50,000uf audio grade NOVER capacitors are used to ensure ample and smooth power feed. The NOVER capacitors are specially made by U.K. according to Audio GD’s requirement. In total 21 PSU groups are used. 19 groups of parallel voltage regulators are combined into two groups of cascade-like parallel voltage regulators to lower the internal resistance and to purify power supply. To achieve Silent operation, the control circuit is powered with separate regulator. Such power supply setup is rare in domestic designs, and more common in Hi-end DACs made by renowned Audiophile Companies, which plays a crucial role in the performance of their DACs.

Specification

Device weight:  Approximately 15 Kg

Advice:  1, DAC Reference One has extremely high fidelity; its sound signature is neutral, with accurate and neutral reproduction of the recorded disc/music.
             2, Don't stack gear on top of each other.
             3, Attention must be given to matching suitable power cable, coaxial cable and output signal cable.

Accessories : One Canare coaxial cable,(we have BNC->BNC, RCA->RCA and RCA->BNC, customers must inform us of their preferred type of cable while placing the order). Stock power cable X1.

    Audio-gd exclusive power cable, XLR cables & Canare coaxial cable：

   Cable links    http://www.audio-gd.com/pro/cablesEN.htm