About the Paganini DAC
The dCS Ring DAC™ found in all dCS DACs is a discrete balanced design that supports all high resolution musical formats up to DSD. The optimised DSP filters available in Paganini DAC ensure that you can extract every last nuance of musical detail and emotion by tuning the system to your personal preference.
Paganini DAC features standard AES3 and S/PDIF inputs in addition to the IEEE 1394 interfaces. The digital volume control allows direct connection to a power amplifier; there is no need for a preamplifier. Maximum output can be either two or six volts to suit different amplifier/loudspeaker combinations.
The unit can be used in Master mode to provide a clock for source components, and can be locked to an external word clock signal generated by a dCS Master Clock – this produces a substantial performance improvement.
Paganini DAC is intended for use with the matching upsampling Paganini CD/SACD Transport or with any industry-standard CD Transport, digital streamer or music server.
The PCM inputs on all dCS DACs are industry-standard AES/EBU, S/PDIF or SDIF interfaces. There should be no difficulty using them with other manufacturers’ equipment, provided it also complies with industry standards.
Key Features
- Flexible output configuration can be optimised in systems with or without preamplifiers.
- All dCS products use a sophisticated multi-mode Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL), which significantly reduces clock jitter.
- Improved power supplies give lower running temperature and superior tolerance to AC supply variations.
- Aerospace-grade aluminium chassis and laminated acoustic damping panels reduce magnetic effects and vibration.
- Low-power LC display makes the user interface easier to read, keeps power requirements down and minimises electrical noise.
- ‘Soft’ approach to programmable logic allows new software to be loaded from a dCS update CD to add new features and adapt to changes in digital formats.
Specifications
- Digital-to-Analogue Converter.
- Silver or Black.
- 460mm/18.1” x 400mm/15.8” x 110mm/4.4”. Allow extra depth for cable connectors.
- 11.0kg/24.2lbs.
- Proprietary dCS Ring DAC™ topology.
- Output Levels: 2V rms or 6V rms on all outputs for a full-scale input, set in the menu. Balanced Outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x 3-pin male XLR connectors (pin 2 = hot, pin 3 = cold). These outputs are electronically balanced and floating, the signal balance ratio at 1kHz is better than 40dB. Output impedance is 3Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (a 10kΩ load is recommended). Unbalanced Outputs: 1 stereo pair on 2x RCA Phono connectors. Output impedance is 52Ω, maximum load is 600Ω (a 10kΩ load is recommended).
- IEEE 1394 interface on 2x 6-way connectors. The interface accepts dCS-encrypted DSD (1 bit data at 2.822MS/s). 2x AES/EBU on 3-pin female XLR connectors. Each will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 & 192kS/s & DOP OR 1x Dual AES pair at 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384kS/s & DOP or dCS-encrypted DSD. 2x SPDIF on 2x RCA Phono connectors. Each will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kS/s & DOP
- Word Clock input on 1x BNC connector. Accepts standard Word Clock at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 & 192kHz. The data rate can be the same as the clock rate or an exact multiple (0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x) of the clock rate. Sensitive to TTL levels. Word Clock output on 1x BNC connector. In Master mode, a TTL-compatible 44.1kHz Word Clock is available.
- Better than -110dB0 @ 20Hz-20kHz unweighted (6V Setting).
- Better than -100dB0 @ 20Hz-20kHz.
- PCM mode: 4 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the phase response. 2 extra filters are available at 44.1, 176.4kS/s and 192kS/s. DSD mode: 4 filters progressively reduce out-of-audio band noise level (inherent in the 1 bit nature of DSD).
- Loaded from CD via PCM digital inputs.
- dCS premium remote control provided with Paganini Transport or RS232.
- Factory set for 100, 115, 220 or 230V AC, 49-62Hz.
- 22 Watts typical/30 Watts maximum.
Reviews
“Provided that the source material is of equally stunning quality, the Paganini will provide musical playback that leaves you with no excuses.”
- Tone Magazine
READ THE FULL REVIEW Read More“A seminal digital audio replay system, what this does to a string of ones and noughts has not been heard before.”
- HiFi World
READ THE FULL REVIEW Read More“Superlative, state-of-the-art modern DAC with a uniquely 'undigital' sound.”
- HiFi World
READ THE FULL REVIEW Read MoreSupport
Visit our support hub to find out more about our products or speak with a member of the dCS team
