Rega DAC-R

Rega DAC-R Updates Original Acclaimed Rega DAC With Enhanced Circuitry, New Remote Control, Fully Asynchronous USB, User-Selectable Filters

Easy-to-Use, 24-Bit/192kHz

Rega DAC-R Does Wonders With Two-Channel Audio: Outfitted With Two Buffer-Stage-Driven Wolfson DAC Chips and Dedicated Power Supplies

Simple, elegant, aurally captivating: The Rega DAC became one of the most acclaimed and best-selling audiophile devices of the past decade. DAC-R updates the original by adding an enhanced version of the circuitry, a new remote control, a fully asynchronous USB, and three user-selectable digital filters. Two buffer-stage-driven Wolfson DAC chips effortlessly handle up to 24-bit/192kHz. That the easy-to-use DAC-R sounds even better than its predecessor yet costs just a smidgen more means only one thing: Sonic ecstasy is nigh for more music lovers.

Fully Asynchronous USB, Optimal Two-Channel Digital Performance

DAC-R incorporates an enhanced version of the Rega designed circuit and offers the highest-possible resolution over all inputs, including fully asynchronous USB with the addition of remote functionality. Simple to set up and use, DAC-R optimizes performance from any two-channel PCM digital audio source. It plays high-quality lossless files such as WAV, FLAC, and ALAC in a fidelity equal to, and in some cases better than, CD. Great care has been taken to remove noise generated by the PC and other input sources.

Three User-Selectable Filters, Myriad Inputs, Dedicated Power Supplies

DAC-R is housed in a custom aluminum and steel case. It boasts a pair of Wolfson DAC ICs, and three user selectable digital filters as well as one isolated asynchronous USB, two isolated coaxial inputs, and two Toslink SPDIF inputs. The optical and coaxial input stage comprises a Wolfson digital receiver with a high-stability, low-jitter clock driving the receiver PLL. The receiver and PLL have their own dedicated power supplies.

Parallel-Connected Wolfson DACs, Plus Total Isolation From Host Computer

The DAC stage involves pair of parallel-connected Wolfson WM8742 DACs driven via a buffer stage, which ensures the integrity of the data being fed to the DAC ICs. The USB input stage is comprised of a bit-perfect XMOS USB Audio 2.0 with asynchronous clocking. The USB input stage feeds the optical and coaxial input stage via an isolating transformer, giving total isolation from the host computer.

Loaded With High-Grade Parts Inside and Out

The output amplifier employs a discrete differential, multiple feedback filter with a high cut-off frequency for use with higher sample rates. Rega decided not to use a sample rate converter and process the data at the incoming sample rate, which keeps the signal processing to a minimum. Jitter is minimized by synchronously clocking the digital data with the receiver PLL (removing any jitter from the input signal). All capacitors associated with the analog signal path are bypassed with MMK polyester capacitors. Low-impedance conductive polymer capacitors are used for DAC decoupling. The power supply utilizes a toroidal transformer, fast rectifier diodes, and audio-grade capacitors. Finally, there is a power supply for the control micro controller, separate from the digital and analog audio stages.

DAC: 2x Wolfson WM8742
Frequency Response (100KΩ load:) Filter 1 selected
Low data rate: 44.1/48kHz = 10Hz -0.05dB to (44.1K) 20.02kHz (48K) 21.7kHz -0.03dB
Medium data rate: 88.2/96kHz = 10Hz -0.05dB to (88.1K) 28.7kHz (96K) 31.2kHz -3dB
High data rate: 176.4/192kHz = 10Hz -0.05dB to (176.4K) 44.1kHz (192K) 47.7kHz -3dB
Maximum output level: 2.175V into 100KΩ load
Bit resolution (all inputs): 16 to 24bit
Supported data rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion all inputs (24bit 96kHz): 0.006% @ 1kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: -105dB (relative to maximum output level with a 100Hz to 22kHz bandwidth)
Digital inputs:
USB: (24bit 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz)
Optical/Toslink 1: (24bit 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz)
Optical/Toslink 2: (24bit 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz)
Co-axial 1: (24bit 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz)
Co-axial 2: (24bit32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz)
Power: 230v/115v/7.6W
Dimensions (WDH): 8.5" x 12.6" x 3.2"
Weight: 8.8 lbs.