Ideon Audio Ion DAC or ION+ DAC & Preamplifier
IΩN DAC or DAC & Pre-Amp
The new Ideon Audio IΩN DAC & optional Pre-Amp: the reference front end
Breakthrough technology from the Absolute Series: re discover your music
Many of the Epsilon’s groundbreaking designs have been adapted and scaled specifically for the ION.
True to Ideon’s approach, the ION DAC is a fully proprietary creation featuring in-house developed audio technologies. This meticulously handcrafted unit combines innovative high-performance engineering with premium components to deliver exceptional sound quality.
HyperStream, 8-channels architecture with proprietary, cutting-edge analog stage
- High output impedance at -120 dB SNR, quad current output from DAC
- Cutting edge analog stage, with symmetrical ultra-low noise power supply – in a unique topology
- Ultra low-noise power through, more than 10 different separate power regulators in the circuit.
- Direct coupled output with no capacitors in the output stage.
- In-House fully balanced design throughout
- The sonic result re defines digital audio playback potential, bringing you directly to the heart of music with a breath-taking sense of naturalness and presence.
Proprietary Triple Distillation USB input: Noise Elimination
Developed entirely in-house, the Ideon Audio Triple Distillation USB input features a unique three-stage noise reduction circuit that effectively removes digital noise from the input signal.
The expertise gained from creating the Absolute Epsilon DAC has been successfully applied to the IΩN as well. In essence, we have rigorously targeted and eliminated both linear and non-linear distortion and noise.
Clock Oscillators: Getting the Music in Phase
The ION employs, similarly to the flagship Absolute Epsilon DAC, three premium femto clocks characterized by ultra-low jitter and ultra-low phase noise within a no-compromise architectural design; this guarantees precise timing and exceptional phase accuracy of the audio signal.
Each clock has its own dedicated power line.
The Symmetrical Analog Output Principle
The ION DAC's balanced output, developed in-house, features symmetrical analog channels without capacitors in the signal path and employs dedicated power supplies within a distinctive topology.
This design delivers robust output energy capable of driving nearly any load with ease.
Modular Construction for future upgrades
The ION DAC is engineered with future enhancements in consideration, consistent with the majority of Ideon’s offerings. Its modular design enables upgrades to various components as new technologies emerge or new formats become prevalent.
The Analog Pre-Amp section
The ION is available with an optional integrated analog preamplifier, known as the IΩN+.
This Pre-Amp is a proprietary in-house design featuring software-controlled analog potentiometers. It embodies a purist approach, delivering transparent performance with virtually zero signal path interference, minimal noise, exceptionally low harmonic distortion, and excellent dynamic range.
Ideon’s ultra-low noise power supply
The ION’s multi-stage power reservoir consists of 10 ultra-low noise power supplies and dedicated regulation stages.
While the significance of stable, ample, and clean power is widely acknowledged in audio circles, Ideon Audio elevates this principle by employing as many separate stages as necessary to deliver unmatched clarity and linearity.
The design incorporates top-tier components, including advanced regulators with exceptionally low tolerance and audio-grade ELNA Silmic II capacitors with silk-fiber plate separators engineered specifically for audio use. These components provide faster response and low ESR, resulting in a smoother sound with no detail sacrificed.
ION DAC
- Cutting edge analog stage, with symmetrical ultra-low noise power supply – a unique topology not found in any other DACs.
- High output impedance at -120 dB SNR, quad current output from DAC.
- Two, zero-noise active bridges – an innovative design bringing noise from rectification to zero – another proprietary technology not available from other DAC brands.
- Specially designed bespoke transformer with extreme core.
- Upgradable DAC and USB input engine.
- New in-house developed dedicated software for the ESS 9028PRO DAC chip (same as the Absolute E DAC). The upgradable chip firmware is developed by Ideon Audio in close cooperation with ESS.
- Native support and playback for all DSD and PCM formats/frequency rates
- Proprietary Triple Distillation USB input: Noise Elimination. Conceived and designed in-house, the Ideon Audio Triple Distillation USB input (same as the Absolute’s Ε DAC) is a proprietary three-stage noise eradication circuit eliminating digital noise from the input signal. We have declared war on linear & non-linear distortion and noise!
- New audio USB codec: ESS ES9080APRO (also in the Absolute ε DAC) used in our USB input module. A proprietary design deployed in our DAC. It’s the most current, state-of-the-art technology, with new codes reflecting today’s standards in comparison with similar 10-year-old chips/technologies, most often used. In close cooperation with ESS, a custom firmware was developed specifically for our USB input engine, to implement our design principles. The result; amazing, practically zero jitter, extremely low noise, super-fast processing, and extraordinary, natural sound quality.
- A customized USB Audio 2.0 audio class driver developed for Windows. It’s optimized for low latency and low CPU load. Buffer depths can be adjusted to optimize settings for any given computer. The driver implements a transparent (bit-perfect) playback.
IΩN+ Pre-Amp section
- In-house fully balanced design throughout.
- In-house, ultra-low noise linear power supply.
- Two balanced inputs
- Gain range from -111.5dB to +15.5dB
- Dynamic range 121 dB configuration
- 0.0002% THD in balanced mono configuration
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ION DAC
| SUPPORTED FORMATS (INPUT DEPENDENT) | 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 32 bits , Native DSD (up to 8X DSD) |
| DIGITAL INPUTS | 3x Advanced isolated input module slots (USB, BNC, RCA) |
| XLR BALANCED OUTPUTS (high/med/low/variable selectable by the user) | 8.8 Vrms at 0dB (at high output) |
| RCA OUTPUTS (adjustable as with XLR) | RCA OUTPUTS 4.4 Vrms at 0dB (at high output) |
| THD (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ) | < – 110dB on all outputs |
| CHANNEL SEPARATION | >130dB on all outputs |
| SNR (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ) | >122dB on all outputs |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 20HZ TO 20KHZ 135 dB (FS) . 132 dB (AFS) |
| DISPLAY | Custom LCD TFT display |
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | 460 x 300 x 90 mm (18.1 x 11.8 x 3.5 in) |
| WEIGHT | 13kg (~28 lbs) |
ION+ Pre-Amp section
| TOPOLOGY | Full Balanced Design |
| ANALOG INPUTS | 2x Balanced (XLR & RCA) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 40 ohms |
| GAIN RANGE | -111.5dB to +15.5dB |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 121 dB configuration |
| CHANNEL SEPARATION | >130dB on all outputs |
| ULTRA-LOW NOISE | 1.1 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz |
| ULTRA-LOW DISTORTION | 0.000015% at 1 kHz |
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | 460 x 300 x 90 mm (18.1 x 11.8 x 3.5 in) |
| WEIGHT | 13kg (~28 lbs) |
Ideon Audio Ion DAC or ION+ DAC & Preamplifier
Sale price$25,000.00
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