Amps & DACs

The CEntrance DACport is a USB-fed DAC/headphone amp that offers upscale 24-bit / 96kHz resolution via USB, a salient selling feature for any portable computer DAC unit. The DACport has a cylindrical, cigar-like shape featuring a full-size headphone output on one end, a USB connection and an LED power light on the other, and a small rubberized volume control dial on top. The design of the DACport got good reviews overall as its ease of connectivity and small size make it easily transportable for computer listening both at home and at the office, sliding unnoticed into a shirt pocket for the commute. The DACport's sound signature is slightly 'forward' and analytical sans audible harshness and delivers especially superb audio synergy with darker, more 'laid-back' headphones like the Sennheiser HD650. It's also got plenty of power to drive high-impedance cans like the Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 or Sennheiser HD800 to loud listening levels, a big plus for a tiny portable headphone amp.

What became most apparent to our HeadRoom ears using the CEntrance DACport was an extremely broad soundstage image with excellent musical separation and precise timbral accuracy. While the low bass may lack some sense of roundness or supple warmth, bass texture is beautifully apparent while the mids and highs maintain a cleanly delineated clarity that sounds strongly defined without strident grain or edge We all agreed that the CEntrance DACport holds a solid spot in our HeadRoom offerings given its uber-portability, precise musical detail, broad soundstage image, full 24-bit/96kHz capabilities and plethora of high-end headphones it can effectively drive. We think it pairs great with any cans tending towards a warmer tonality and the DACport will really bring them alive with full detail and a natural sense of ease. With more 'neutral' analytically-leaning cans like the AKG K701, Tesla T1, or HD800, you'll still get a very well-detailed, albeit slightly stringent presentation. Great engineering and design from Michael Goodman and team -- kudos, CEntrance!

'AdaptiWave' is the proprietary, driver-less USB audio technology from CEntrance allowing their products to work with any computer, anywhere in the world without the need to install custom drivers. By relying on the built-in drivers available in all versions of Windows, Mac, Linux and iPad, CEntrance DACs offer upgraded performance without hassle. So no more downloads or lost installation disks. CEntrance products are immediately ready to play and preserve bit-perfect, 24-bit/96kHz audio all the way to the DAC. This results in subtle detail, imperceptible noise, amazing definition, and no listening fatigue.

Sample Rates       

96kHz (Also: 44.1 kHz, 48kHz and 88.2kHz)             

Resolution      24-bit (Also supports 16-bit)               

Connection      USB1.1 or 2.0, driverless               

Communication      AdaptiWave proprietary USB technology               

Local clock      10 ppm precision, 1 ps jitter               

Compatibility      Any computer running Mac, PC, or Linux                    

Analog Specs

Frequency Response      20Hz...40kHz +/-0.2dB             

Dynamic Range      113 dB, re +12 dBu, max gain         

THD+N      0.0018% / -95 dB (FS, 1kHz)         

Noise Floor      7 µV RMS (A-weight), max gain       

Audio Output      Stereo 1/4" headphone jack    

Headphone Amp      Direct Class A, no caps in the signal path          

Maximum Output Level      4.4 V peak / +12 dBu          

Output Power      1.5W (total), drives 600 Ohm headphones    

Output Impedance      10 Ohm

Approximate Dimensions:

5.75" inch long / 1.25" inch wide / 2" inch diameter

Great value
Posted by Michael from St. Louis, MO on 2011-08-18

Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Portable and simple
Cons: No HeadRoom crossfeed circuit

I bought my DACport from CEntrance before HeadRoom began selling them. I've had a Total Bithead for almost 6 years and continue to use and like it; however, I get better sound out of the DACport. I use the DACport with my computers which are my primary music sources now (I've ripped my CD's using the suggestions found elsewhere in HeadRoom's advice pages). I use Sennheiser PX 100's for most of my listening but use my Sennheiser 580's at home. I find that audio improvements are like cleaning a window; if there's an improvement, it's in increased clarity. I haven't much used the DACport's capacity to handle higher bit rates, but I've purchased a few selections from HDTracks and am glad to have the ability to get the higher bit rates. I think this DAC is well worth the cost above price of the Total Bithead. I only wish I could have the HeadRoom cross-feed circuit.

Update: I've been using the DACport in combination with my Total Bithead and have been very pleased with the results. I connect the DACport to the computer and run its output to the Total Bithead. The combination drives my Sennheiser 580's better and I get the benefit of the Bithead's crossfeed circuit. I still think the DACport is a good deal and remain pleased that I purchased it.

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works with iPad 2
Posted by BC from Los alamos, NM on 2011-07-21

Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Portable, solid.
Cons: Require external power for ipad

Just got my DacPort from headroom and wanted to verify it works with the iPad 2. It does, it sounds great!

I was looking for a tutorial on how to get 24/96 audio from an iPad. No one could fully help me and a tutorial doesn't exist...so here is how I did it. You need an iPad 2 not an original. I confirmed with Centrance that the DaqPort works direct with the iPad through the USB camera connection. Full 24/96. You do not need to re-flash the DacPort to 16/44.

I downloaded music from HD tracks at 24/96 as FLAC files. iTunes does not play FLAC. I bought the iPad FLAC app called FLAC Player. You do use iTunes to move files from your computer to your iPad FLAC player. Pretty straightforward. FLAC player works direct out of the headphone jack but I'm fairly sure the internal iPad D/A down coverts to 16/44.

The DaqPort runs from USB and bypasses the internal Dac. You use a camera connection kit for iPad to get direct USB. Unfortunately the iPad USB will not drive the DacPort (power wise). I split the USB out using an Apricorn USB power splitter. I also bought a Trent IMP1000 power pack. This about $70 but is great for extra power for iPads, phone, etc. So it is worth having anyway. Black USB to iPad, grey USB to battery, output to the DacPort cable. Pretty easy. The DaqPort cable is very long, a shorter one would be neater especially since you have an extrnal battery to put somewhere. Headphones into DaqPort.

It works! I tried both FLAC player music and iTunes. Both work. iTunes actually recognizes the DacPort by name. Now what data rate comes out of what would require instrumentation but I believe the DacPort does everything at 24/96. It clearly bypasses the internal dac and you get a class A external amp.

Initial listening with shure 535 is excellent. Very clean and it delivers a much larger sound field, especially for in ear headphones. This combination is louder than you will ever need as these headphones are very sensitive. Reportedly the DacPort works with high z phones as well. More critical listening to come!

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