Parasound Zdac Digital to Analog Converter

In a market filled with DACs, Parasound has set a new standard for performance and value with the help of acclaimed Danish digital experts Holm Acoustics. The Zdac sounds more natural and less "digital" than DACs selling for far more because of its innovative design and high quality parts. Its unique re-clocking system preserves the original source audio data by eliminating jitter contamination that is picked up along the digital signal chain. This is accomplished through the synergy of two premium parts, an Analog Devices AD1895 asynchronous sample rate converter and an AD1853 DAC IC, the same DAC IC that Holm selected for our Halo CD 1 CD player. To further improve sound quality the signal is up-sampled to 422kHz. This highly effective jitter-reduction system works on all inputs, not just the USB input, as in many other DACs.

• Premium Analog Devices AD1853 24-bit/192 kHz Digital to Analog Converter IC
• All inputs feature jitter reduction and are re-clocked and up-sampled to 422 kHz / 24 bit
• USB input for playing music from PC or Mac (driver-less for easy setup)
• Asynchronous sample rate conversion for all inputs including the USB input
• Works with any format file on your computer up to 96 kHz / 24 bit
• Works in variable volume mode in Windows® for connecting direct to a power amp (no preamp needed)
• Optical and Coaxial digital inputs for use with any standard digital connection
• RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced analog outputs
• High current headphone output with volume control can drive any headphones from 32 to 600 ohms
• Oversized internal toroid power transformer (not a wall wart like many competitors)
• Will always power back up to the same input in the event of an AC power outage

        Supports Incoming Digital Word Lengths:  
         16 bit - 24 bit  

        Supports Incoming Digital Sampling Frequencies:
           Opt & Coax:   8 kHz, 11.025 kHz, 16 kHz, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz.  
           USB:   44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz  

        USB Streaming Controller:  
        Texas Instruments TAS1020B  

        Upsampling Frequency:  
        422 kHz / 24 bit (all inputs)  

        Sample Rate Converter:  
        Analog Devices AD1895  

        D to A Converter:  
        Analog Devices AD1853  

        Frequency Response:  
        20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.2 dB  

        Channel Balance:  
        < 0.05 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz  

        Channel Separation:  
        > 95 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz  

        Signal to Noise Ratio:  
        110 dB, A-weighted  

        THD + Noise:  
         < 0.015 %  

        Audio Output Level:  
        Unbalanced: 2.1 V RMS (Balanced: 4.2 V RMS)

        Output Impedance:  
          Line out: 160 ohms, balanced or unbalanced  
          Headphone out: 10 ohms  

        AC Power Requirement: 10 watts  
         110-130 VAC 60 Hz or 220-240 VAC 50 Hz, voltage is selected on the chassis bottom  

        Dimensions:  
         Width: 9.5" - 241 mm (black); 8.5" - 220 mm (silver)  
         Depth: 10" - 254 mm  
         Height, with feet: 2" - 51 mm; without feet:1.75"- 45 mm  

        Weight:  
         Net: 5 lbs (2.3kg) / Shipping: 8 lbs (3.7kg)

        Rack Mount Accessory (Black Zdac only):  
          SBS: Side by Side Mounting bracket, purchased separately  
          Zblank: Panel extender, purchased separately  
         (Silver Zdacs cannot be rack mounted)