Wisdom in mind,   enthusiasm at heart.

Reference-5 (New)
Since 1th Dec. 2011.

DSP-1 inside
Using 4 Pieces of PCM1704UK Chips
ACSS/XRL/RCA output balanced DAC
Coaxial/Optical/USB input
Supports up to 24Bit/96KHz

Price: USD1010 (Exclude shipping cost)
Weight: Approximately 9.5kg
Dimension:  W250 X L360 X H80(MM)
Accessories: Stock power cable X1,stock optical cable X1,USB cable X1

What's new :
       DAC Reference-5 redesign the output stage for fully balanced model ,Improve on sound quality and detail reproduce, even through RCA output, the all PCM1704U-K chips are fully applied for output.
Summarize: Fully discrete amp without any OPA , couple caps ,non- feedback analog output stage and non-feedback Class A power supplys .
       Uses all audiophile grade components, including DALE resistors, WIMA and EVOX  caps (German brand), custom order NOVER (UK brand) caps, all audiophile grade input & output sockets and gold IEC socket.

Advice:    1, DAC Reference 5 has extremely high fidelity; its sound signature is neutral. It can show how good or how bad a recording is.
       2, It is better not to stack gear on top of each other, if one must stack Reference 5 on other gear, place a paper or some other insulating material on top of other gears' top board, because Reference 5 has condcutive aluminium feet .
       3, Attention must be given to matching suitable power cable, coaxial cable and output signal cable.
Feedback :
http://ravenda.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/audiogd-reference5/
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/482452/audio-gd-reference-5-coming-soon

DSP-1 Device Characteristics：
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DSP1/DSP1ENspecs.htm

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 2005, ACSS comp5nts have become Audio-gd's most popular products.

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

2. Performance:
       DAC Reference 5 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 jitters. So DAC Reference 5 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 consumer electronics 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 5 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 5 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. Vibration and interference resistance: To achieve the best performance of DAC Reference 5, heavyweight pure aluminum alloy chaises is used which prevents the eddy current of transformer from interfering with circuit board. The device net-weight is 8.5 Kg without packing.

6. Power supply: DAC Reference 5 uses two 50W R-core transformers, one supply for digital parts, another supply for analogy parts. The power transformers and rectifiers are carefully shielded from the electric field of the power transformers and rectifiers' frequency transmission. More than 25,000uf audio grade NOVER capacitors are used to ensure ample and smooth power feed. The NOVER capacitors are specially custom order from NOVER (U.K.) according to Audio GD’s requirement. A total of 9 PSU groups are used to purify the power supply. To achieve Silent operation, the control circuit is powered with separate regulator.

DAC  Reference 5 Specs


Improvement may result in changes in specifications and
design without notice.

RCA Output
S/N Ratio:>113db
Output Level:2.5V

Frequency Breadth:20-20KHz



XLR Output
S/N Ratio:>116db
Output Level:5V
Frequency Breadth:20-20KHz

ACSS Output
S/N Ratio:>120db
Output:1.2MA

Frequency Breadth:20-20KHz