You will notice we have enhanced the USB capability in the DAC8 by upgrading to USB 2.0 HS (high speed) which runs at 480Mbps. USB 2.0 HS has a lower jitter specification than USB 2.0 FS (full speed 12mbps), consequently the DAC8 is capable of reproducing music with higher resolution than products communicating at USB 2.0 FS speeds.

In addition, the DAC8 employs a low jitter Dual Master Oscillator design which will provide superior digital to analog conversion via the USB 2.0 HS input as well as via the more traditional S/PDIF, RCA, BNC, OPT and AES inputs. Our USB 2.0 HS audio interface is optimized for all 6 popular sample rates currently in use; 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz.

In the past, S/PDIF was the default interface mode for High Resolution music files at 176.4 and 192kHz. But, now, with Audio Research’s Dual Master Oscillator, USB 2.0 HS interface and our Quad D/A converter design, USB audio is elevated to the status once dominated by S/PDIF.

Consequently, regardless of whichever digital input you select the Audio Research DAC8 promises to provide a superior listening experience.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

In addition to the High Performance USB design, the DAC8 features:

•   “DAC8 HD Audio Device” software drivers, which allow listening to your music in its nativesample rate as well as assuring BIT PERFECT, low jitter, data transfer from your PC to your DAC8. Because PC and Mac operating systems do not adequately support sample rates over 96kHz, ARC has developed ASIO drivers to make the USB audio experience sonically transparent, at all sample rates.
•   Sample Rate measuring function: Measures and displays on the front panel the correct digital sample rate being sent to the DAC8. This works in USB as well as S/PDIF mode. Consequently, at a glance, you always know exactly which sample rate is being decoded.
•   Quad D/A converters: To lower the noise floor and increase the dynamic range, ARC designed in two D/A converters per channel. Instead of using one D/A in stereo mode we use two D/A’s in each channel. Each D/A is in MONO mode improving the stereo separation, lowering the noise floor and increasing the dynamic range an additional 3dB.
•   Dual MO’s: When the time base of any DAC is not an integer multiple of the digital music sample rate, decoding and quantization errors occur. Consequently, the DAC8 uses two low jitter Master Oscillators; one supporting 44.1, 88.2 & 176.4kHz sample rates and the other supporting 48, 96 & 192 kHz sample rates. The DAC8 automatically selects the correct MO the instant digital music is detected at the selected input.
•   All inputs are galvanically isolated from the source to reduce or eliminate noise and/or jitter from entering the DAC8
  •   The Analog amplifiers in the DAC8 have received the same attention to detail as the digital section. Each channel of the DAC8 uses a true direct coupled differential amplifier with a bandwidth in excess of 90kHz.
  •   To lower the noise floor even more and further improve sonics, the DAC8 employs an R-Core power transformer, sonically superior in this application to its more traditional iron core equivalent.