The CD23 incorporates a unique digital to analogue conversion (DAC) system developed by a company based near Cambridge called dCS (Data Conversion Systems). They are a leading professional audio company of high repute. Their patented Ring DAC design has been adopted as a reference standard in many of the world’s best recording studios. dCS’s high performance studio solution is very expensive, but their technology was so elegant that we were determined to find a way to bring their system within reach of committed music lovers at a more affordable price. After many years of joint research and development, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, the project to generate a custom chip set for the Ring DAC was completed in 1998.