SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, hero product shot
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X DAC III Balanced balanced reference tube DAC, additional product view
SW1X

SW1X DAC III Balanced

Sale price$15,950.00
Model: Balanced

The SW1X DAC III Balanced is the TDA1541-based DAC III at its most transparent and complete, sharing the valve-clocked DEM architecture of the DAC III but elevating it with an EL84 transformer-coupled output stage that delivers simultaneous balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, and a directly heated rectifier tube in a more sophisticated power supply. The smaller sibling to the DAC IV.

Type and Technology

Non-oversampling (NOS) R2R DAC with transformer-coupled balanced valve output stage and valve-clocked DEM. TDA1541 R2R DAC chip. Passive I/V conversion via a specially selected resistor directly connected to the tube grid. Valve-clocked Dynamic Element Matching powered by an asynchronous valve clock with valve-rectified and choke-filtered power supply. EL84 power tubes in triode connection, zero negative feedback, Class A, driven by 6N6P double triode. SW1X copper-wound Super HiB DC core signal output transformers for simultaneous balanced XLR and single-ended RCA output. Directly heated 5U4GYB/5R4GYB valve-rectified CLC choke-filtered B+ supply. Discrete transistor shunt regulated LV supplies. AN copper foil in oil interstage decoupling capacitors. Black Gate decoupling capacitors for TDA1541. S/PDIF coaxial input up to 24-bit/96kHz. Available in Balanced, Balanced Classic, and Balanced Signature versions.

Sound Character

Combines the TDA1541's legendary analogue presentation with the additional transparency and three-dimensionality of transformer-coupled output, a significant step beyond the SPX version in spatial resolution and low-level nuance. The passive I/V conversion used in the Balanced differs from the active I/V of the STD version, providing yet another flavor of the TDA1541's inherent character.

Build and Finish

150 x 450 x 410mm at 18kg. Available in three transformer quality levels: Balanced (M6 EI core OPTs), Balanced Classic (copper and silver Super HiB double C core OPTs), and Balanced Signature (all-silver Super HiB double C core OPTs with hardwired Bakelite board output stage).

Best For

Listeners who want the TDA1541 in its most complete and transparent implementation with true balanced outputs, as a stepping stone toward the DAC IV, or as an endpoint for those who want the full transformer-coupled TDA1541 experience without the directly heated DHD power supply of the flagship.

Specifications

Specification Value
Type NOS R2R DAC, transformer-coupled balanced valve output, valve-clocked DEM
DAC chip Philips TDA1541
Output tubes 2x EL84 (triode connected); 1x 6N6P driver
DEM clock Asynchronous valve clock with valve-rectified choke-filtered supply
Rectifier tube 1x 5U4GYB or 5R4GYB (directly heated)
Outputs Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA (simultaneous)
Digital input S/PDIF coaxial up to 24-bit/96kHz
Output impedance Less than 100 ohms
Output noise (unweighted) Less than 0.5 mVrms
Max power consumption 23W
Dimensions (H x W x D) 150 x 450 x 410 mm
Weight 18 kg

You may also like