Aqua La Voce S3 Discrete DAC

Designed to provide absolute modularity, the La Voce S3 is a pure R2R ladder - FPGA-based DAC without a digital filter. It has a sign-magnitude ladder converter. The absence of digital filtering means no processing of the input signal. The original digital samples are translated to the reproduced sound, preserving the transient shape and avoiding any ringing.  In this way, we also avoid the "intersample overs" problem that is vital to faithful reproduction, considering current recording studio practices. Our R2R conversion technology makes the sound natural, fast, dynamic, and without the sense of compression, characterizing other converters.

Features

• High performance proprietary FPGA-based digital decoding without digital filter
• Discrete R2R ladder DACs with low noise precision resistors
• Galvanic isolated S/PDIF - AES/EBU Digital input
• Jitter free digital interface AQlink (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to La Diva cd transport
• Zero S/PDIF Jitter design, digital receiver stage PLL (phase locked loop) technology
• Discrete Regulator (MOSFET, J-FET, BJT) for analog and digital DAC’s power supply
• RJ45 (AQlink) input connection, employs CAT6 cable
• 2 separate low noise power transformers, one for the analog and one for the digital section
• MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board system
• Fully discrete analog stage, not even a single Op-Amp is used
• Proprietary USB Firmware / driver:
  • Apple MAC OS - Linux OS : USB asynchronous native support, no need to install drivers software
• Fully upgradeable asynchronous USB module with resolution 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 24 bits, DSD64, DSD128, operates with computers running OSX 10.7 and above, WINDOWS 10 , 8 , 7 and XP ASIO - WASAPI bit perfect high-speed
• AQ-i modular input: D111 XLR | D112 AT&T ST Fiber | D113 RCA | D114 TOSLINK with High Resolution platform
• Digital phase selector on front panel
• High-quality parts selected for sound quality:
  • 105° long life capacitors
  • low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors
  • metallized film pulse capacitor
  • ultra-fast diodes
• Aluminum anti-resonant cabinet with Nextel
• Designed and handmade in Italy
• Input:
  • RJ45 AQlink (I2S serial bus) - PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
  • BNC coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
  • USB port - PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
  • MODULAR INPUT upgradeable, options:
  • AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
  • RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
  • AT&T (ST Fiber) - PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
  • Optical TOSLINK - PCM 24 bit / 96kHz
• Analog output:
  • RCA single-ended
  • XLR balanced asymmetrical