SW1X DAC III Balanced

TDA1541 DAC with EL84 Valve Output Stage & Signal Output Transformers

The Balanced version of the DAC III is a non-compromise valve output stage design DAC III, equipped with Signal Output Transfromers (OPTs), a smaller brother to the DAC IV and DHT output stage based DAC V. The step up in transparency of the Balanced over the SE version is provided by a signal output transformer de-coupled EL84 power pentode (triode connected) tube output stage driven by the mighty 6N6P double triode.

Based on the legendary Philips TDA1541 DAC, the SW1X DAC III Balanced offers a harmonically rich and lush sound with improved dymanics over the predecessors.

SW1X Audio Design™ DAC III Balanced Features:

• Performance Level 3/4
• Pure & Elegant NOS (Non oversampling – zero digital domain filtering) R2R Design
• Highest Grade TDA1541 DAC
• Balanced (& Single Ended) Signal Output Transformer de-coupled Valve Output Stage Topology
• EL84 Power Output Tubes, Zero NFB, Class A, Valve Output Stage
• Passive I/V conversion via a specially selected resistor with the shortest signal path directly connected to the tube grid
• Dynamic Element Matching (DEM) powered by an asynchronous Valve Clock with Valve Rectified & Choke Filtered Power Supply
• Discrete Transistor, Shunt Voltage Regulated Low Voltage Power Supplies
• 5U4GYB/5R4GYB Directly Heated Valve rectified CLC (choke filtered) B+ Power Supply

Specially Selected and Harmonically Matched Component & Material Quality

• Specially treated SW1X Audio Design 80% Nickel Mumetal Core Intefrace Transformer
• SW1X Audio Designall Copper (Copper/Silver {Classic} or all Silver {Signature}) wound M6 EI core, Super HiB or Ultra HiB DC core Signal OPT
• M6 grain orient EI core Mains Transformers & Chokes (SHiB double C-core available as an option)
• Black Gate de-coupling Capacitors for TDA1541 DAC
• Internally wired exclusively with our SW1X Magnum, Genesis and Opus conductors of various geometry (single strand or Litz)
• AN Copper Foil in Oil (or Silver foil on request) interstage Signal de-coupling Capacitors
• AB 2W non-magnetic Carbon film Resistors

Tube Compliment

2 x EL84

1 x 6N6P

1 x 5U4GB

1 x E180F

1 x EAA91

Versions

DAC III Balanced is available with a following output transformer (OPTs) specifications with either Satin Silver or Matte Black front Panels:

• Standard : SW1X Audio Design all Copper wound, orient grain M6 EI Core OPTs
• Special :  SW1X Audio Designall Copper wound Super HiB DC Core OPTs