Amps & DACs
HeadRoom Ultra Desktop DAC
An exquisitely liquid and transparent listening experience is yours with this state-of-the-art digital to analog converter (DAC). The companion HeadRoom product for our Balanced Ultra Desktop headphone amp, the Ultra Desktop DAC is a fully balanced differential-drive source engineered around the stunning ESS Sabre DAC. The Ultra Desktop DAC can receive digital signal feeds from three sources: USB computer and/or coaxial & optical S/PDIF digital inputs, plus it has both balanced and single-ended outputs for full connectivity.
Front panel controls include source selector, noise shaping filter, and lock light indicators for sample-rate ranges.
Product Features:
- Produces ultra high-fidelity balanced audio from digital sources.
- Stacks securely and neatly on the Balanced Ultra Desktop Headphone Amp; a perfect pairing!
- Accepts all valid S/PDIF formats and rates; accepts USB to 16/44.1kHz
- Front panel has input selector, noise shaping filter selector, and lock lights.
- Made In The USA
Applications:
With the HeadRoom Ultra Desktop DAC, known as the 'Ultra DAC', the fine art of music is delivered with natural ease and simple clarity that belies one of the most contemporary and complex number-crunching digital-to-analog converters available today. The highly advanced ESS Technology ES9008 SABRE D-to-A processor that lies deep within the Ultra Desktop DAC embodies numerous patents, breakthroughs, and proprietary technologies enabling it to digitally process the audio signal to produce warm, virtually jitter-free decoding performance. You can read more about the stellar technical performance and cutting-edge specifications of this design via our links in the 'Specs' tab above ... but to hear is to really believe. The musical liquidity and resolution power of the HeadRoom Ultra Desktop DAC extends to the very edges of the audible frequency spectrum; the ability of this up-sampling DAC topology to uncover new details and subtle nuances in your favorite well-worn recordings is nothing short of revelatory. HeadRoom is pleased to be amongst the first audio manufacturers anywhere to incorporate this highly advanced D-A technology into our products.
The Ultra Desktop DAC accepts S/PDIF digital audio signals at standard rates and depths (44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, and 192kHz from 16 to 24 bit word depth) on both coax RCA and TOSLINK optical connections, and will decode 44.1/16 digital audio from your computer via a standard USB connection. An exquisitely designed analog section and four separate regulators produce both balanced and single-ended audio signal on the rear panel XLR and RCA jacks, respectively.
The front panel controls provide sample rate indicator lock lights, input source selection switching, a switch to control internal noise-shaping filters, and a power on/off switch. The 2-year HeadRoom Ultra DAC manufacturer's warranty is serviced exclusively at our production facility in Bozeman Montana USA.
Save on the HeadRoom Ultra Desktop DAC when paired with our signature Balanced Ultra Desktop Amp (BUDA) -- $2849 for the pair.
POWER SUPPLY
The HeadRoom Ultra Desktop DAC packaging includes the international-use 'all-voltage' Astrodyne Power Supply. However, the superb high-current HeadRoom DPS power supply is VERY highly recommended for maximized audio performance.
Specifications:
- Amplifier Group: DAC
- Weight: 3.5lb
- Dimensions: 6" X 6" X 5.5"
- Amplifier Type: DAC
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- Product Brief
- Technical Details
- Patent Information
- Product Manuals
- UltraDAC Manual
Average Customer Rating: by aimlink from Kingston, JM on 2010-02-06
Pros: Great sound and functionality for relatively small form factor
Cons: Ergo and appearance could do with some work.
Would you recommend this product: Yes
Since getting this amp at home, I've not been yearning for anything else and this will likely remain the case for a long time to come. I currently use the Ultra Desktop Amp with my iMac as music source via optical output. I also run the unit powered with HeadRoom's own Desktop Power Supply.
This is a very great sounding amp/dac combo that I strongly doubt would disappoint anyone's ears. It's nicely compatible with my ALO K702's, normally quite challenging headphones to drive. Great dynamism, spaciousness, and detail with a nice touch of warmth to it.
The 'crossfeed' makes for an interesting addition that makes listening to some older recordings a lot better, especially those that heavily feature vocals or instruments on one channel only (recordings by The Beatles come immediately to mind). I hardly use the brightness filters but they are reassuringly present for the odd occasion where their enhancement of the high frequency response comes in useful.
I wish it featured a simple preamp out without volume control. I also think the switch labels are too small and the overall appearance is a tad spartan, though I'm one for the spartan appearance. For those into a snazzy appearance, don't make this amps modest appearance fool you into thinking that you'll be hearing a modest sound.
The ultra desktop amp makes for a great, relatively compact investment in listening pleasure. If you are serious and can afford it, I wouldn't pass it up!!
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