Audio Research DAC9

Digital that sounds like analog

Our perspective and love for analog reproduction helps make our digital components sound superior musically. The DAC9 is a vacuum-tube analog section combined with the latest digital design, capable of decoding DSD music files and PCM files up to 384kHz.

Audio Research designed two separate data paths to the DAC9’s D-A converters: one for PCM files, and another to handle serial DSD files at 1x and 2x DSD clock rates. This assures proper integer decoding eliminating interpolation distortion errors that degrade sonic purity. Native sample-rate upsampling is available for all inputs, up to 384kHz for non-DSD (PCM) music files.

Selectable digital filters are available for customization. An asynchronous USB input, along with four galvanically isolated SPDIF inputs, assures all of your digital sources will integrate with the DAC9. We pioneered using quad D-A converters, with each channel using dual stereo DACs running in mono to increase dynamic range and lower the noise floor.

The digital side mates to a vacuum-tube analog section that uses a pair of 6H30 dual triode tubes. The DAC9 is a balanced design with a Class-A, zero feedback analog section with no capacitive coupling.

Like other products that have preceded it, the DAC9 combines remarkable resolution with relaxed musicality. Audio Research’s sonic legacy—clarity, dynamics, dimensionality, and musical authority—are obvious and thoroughly engaging.