SW1X DAC III Balanced

The Balanced version of the DAC III is a non-compromise valve output stage design DAC III, equipped with Signal Output Transfromers (OPTs), basically a smaller brother to the DAC IV and DHT output stage based DAC V. The step up in transparency of the Balanced over the SPX version is provided by a signal output transformer de-coupled EL84 power pentode (triode connected) tube output stage driven by the mighty 6N6P 0r 5687 double triode.

SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III Balanced Features:

• Pure & Elegant NOS (Non oversampling – zero digital domain filtering) Design
• Balanced (& Single Ended) Signal Output Transformer de-coupled Valve Output Stage Topology
• EL84 Power Output Tubes, Zero NFB, Class A, Valve Output Stage
• Passive I/V conversion via a specially selected resistor with the shortest signal path directly connected to the tube grid
• Dynamic Element Matching (DEM) powered by an asynchronous Valve Clock with Valve Rectified & Choke Filtered Power Supply
• Discrete Transistor, Shunt Voltage Regulated Low Voltage Power Supplies
• 5U4GYB/5R4GYB Directly Heated Valve rectified CLC (choke filtered) B+ Power Supply
• Digital Input supports up to 24Bit/96kHz S/PDIF Signal Input

• Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality
• SW1X Audio Design™ Copper wound Super HiB DC core Signal Output Transformers
• M6 grain orient EI core Mains Transformers & Chokes (HiB double C-core available as an option)
• Circuit is wired with Specially Selected copper conductors of various geometry (single strand and Litz)
• AN Copper Foil in Oil interstage signal de-coupling Capacitors
• Black Gate de-coupling Capacitors for TDA1541 DAC
• AB 2W non-magnetic Carbon film Resistors in selected places

Tube Compliment:  2 x EL84, 1 x 6N6P, 1 x 5U4GB 1 x E180F, 1 x EAA91

Optional Extras:

• Fully Hardwired Tube Output Stage on the Bakelite Board
• Fine Silver wiring on the Input, Bakelite Board and Output
• SW1X Audio Design™ Custom Designed & Fully or Partly Silver wound Super/Ultra HiB DC core Signal Output Transformers
• Black Gate VK capacitors in the B+ power supply
• Black Gate capacitors in LV power supply and de-coupling capacitors for TDA1541A DAC
• AN 2W non-magnetic Niobium resistors on a Hardwired Bakelite Board
• Super HiB double C-Core mains transformers for the digital and DHT/DHD power supplies
• TDA1541R Selected or optional TDA1541A S1 or S2 Selected Crown version
• Silver Foil capacitors Inter-stage signal de-coupling capacitors
• AN 2W Silver, non-magnetic, Tantalum resistors
• XLR AES/EBU or I2S input

DAC III Balanced is available in 3 versions:

Balanced

• Copper wound M6 EI core OPTs
• M6 EI core mains transformers

Balanced Classic

• Copper & Silver wound Super HiB Double C core OPTs
• M6 EI & SHiB DC core mains transformers

Balanced Signature

• All Silver wound Super HiB Double C core OPTs
• All Super HiB DC core mains transformers
• Hard wiring on Bakelite Board

Note: Due to SW1X Audio Design’s ongoing research and development process, specifications are subject to change without notice.

Specifications

Dimensions: Height (mm) 150 x Width (mm) 450 x Depth (mm) 410

Weight (kg): 18

Max Power Consumption (W): 23

Output Noise, Unweighted (mVrms): < 0.5

Output Impedance (Ohms): <100