D-02 - 35bit Dual Mono D/A Converter

"35-bit D/A processing" dual monaural D/A converter

The D-02's D/A converter ICs incorporate top-end 32-bit AK4399 chipsets by ASAHI KASEI Microdevices Corporation. Eight circuits per channel are provided to achieve phenomenal linearity and low noise. In addition to direct processing of DSD signals, the D-02 has newly adopted a "35-bit D/A processing" algorithm that converts PCM signals to analog signals at a high resolution of 35 bits. As a result of this new technology, the D-02 achieves an improved level of delicate sound quality and imaging with ultra high resolution.

                                    Analog       35bit           34bit           33bit           32bit

The D/A converter circuits are mounted on separate analog audio boards for each of the left and right channels. All components, including the power circuits and power transformers, are separated for right and left channels to implement a fully dual monaural configuration. This identical layout per channel achieves ideal power supply performance and excellent channel separation, enabling high-quality playback with a deep and wide soundstage.

Low distortion, high linearity, discrete Class A buffer

The D-02 features fully discrete Class A buffer amplifiers with four circuits per channel, which is twice the amount of components used in the K series players. These extended buffer circuits are configured as a "double-parallel fully balanced buffer amp," when the XLR outputs are selected, and switched to a "quadrupleparallel unbalanced buffer amp," configuration when RCA outputs are selected. The ESOTERIC DAC offers an exceedingly high drive capability by means of a low-distortion and high linearity Class A buffer amplifier and a high-voltage toroidal core power supply unit of +/-22V.

Wide-ranging D/D conversion functions

The D-02 DAC provides a wide variety of D/D conversion modes for the PCM format, including x2 and x4 up-conversion, and PCM-to-DSD conversion, in addition to original frequency, native data PCM processing.

Four types of digital filters and digital filter OFF mode

The D-02 has four types of user selectable digital filters for PCM signal processing. Two types of short-delay digital filters and two types of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filters are included. These short-delay digital filters eliminate the pre-echo effect in the impulse waveform to reproduce a more natural audio signal. A digital filter OFF mode is also available.

Five digital input systems for high sampling rate support

The D-02 is equipped with wide-ranging digital inputs of five types for eight channels (XLR x2, i.LINK 4p/6p x1, USB x1, coaxial x2, and optical x1). This DAC can be used for high-sampling-rate sources of up to 24-bit/192kHz. XLR x2 provides additional support for high-sampling-rate/high-bit inputs of 48-bit/192kHz (ES-LINK3) and 24-bit/384kHz (Dual AES 8Fs).

Asynchronous 24-bit/192kHz USB input

ESOTERIC provides original PC driver software to support asynchronous 24-bit/192kHz high resolution data input through its USB interface. The internal USB isolator prevents interference from PC generated noise and enhances studio master-quality digital source playback performance. Both 32 bit and 64 bit PC operating systems are supported for asynchronous USB transmission.

High-precision digital volume attenuator

The D-02 is implemented with a high quality 32 bit digital volume attenuator function, and can be directly connected to a power amplifier, eg. ESOTERIC's A-02.

Excellent usability

The D-02 can switch the output voltage of XLR audio outputs in accordance with the input sensitivity of the amplifier (0dB/+6dB). Either Hot 2 or Hot 3 can be assigned for XLR audio outputs.

Matching source is ESOTERIC's P-02 SACD/CD transport.