Demonstrations Available
All brands stocked
30 Years of Experience
Demonstrations Available
All brands stocked
30 Years of Experience
The CAD 1543 MKII DAC is optimized to work with a computer or audio server. There is one USB input and there is one set of unbalanced RCA outputs. Sound quality is where this DAC wins.
CAD has used as few components as possible in the signal path. For that reason we do not offer additional inputs or outputs. The digital signals travel less than 1 cm from the USB board to the DAC chips. Due to there being only one input the digital signals do not pass through any switches. Digital signals run at extremely high frequency (MHz) and sound quality can be significantly reduced when switches are used in the digital domain.
Computers do not have very good power supplies for audio equipment. But many DACs on the market make use of this power to drive the DAC. The 1543 MKII DAC has proprietary galvanic isolation from the connected computer. Galvanic Isolation means that no current from the computer flows into the DAC chips.
With a normal USB (either synchronous or adaptive) input the data is sent by the computer using the computer’s clock. The DAC must extract the data when the computer sends it. A serious issue with this process relates to a type of digital distortion called jitter. Computers have high amounts of jitter and we believe jitter is a major cause of poor sound quality.
With Asynchronous USB input the DAC receives the data from the computer and then using its own clocks the data is sent on to the next stage in the DAC .
We use custom fixed frequency oscillators in our DAC. We supply these oscillators with power supplies that we have developed to achieve the best sound quality possible.
One of the first questions we usually get about our DAC is “what chip do you use?” We agree that the DAC chip is very important, but most people do not realise is that the power supplies are at least as important! We have spent a huge part of our research on developing the power supplies for teh 1534 MKII DAC. Our power supplies are our own design and unlike anything else on the market.
We are trying to reproduce a more natural “analog” sound that is typical of well-designed turntables. We are convinced that Non-Over-Sampling DACs achieve a more realistic natural musical experience.
CAD believes that sigma delta technology used in current DAC chips does not sound as natural as resistor ladder technology. The CAD 1543 MKII DAC is so-called because it uses sixteen vintage Philips TDA1543 chips, which undoubtedly contribute to its signature sound quality.
Our parts come from the finest manufacturers in the world. We work closely with small manufacturers in the UK, USA, Australia and Europe and have sourced the highest quality components available.
The 1543 MKII DAC case is made from laser cut 10mm thick acrylic. CAD does not use acrylic just to be different, it is actually vastly more complex and expensive to manufacture than aluminium or other metals. However acrylic has mechanical and electrical advantages that work extremely well with our design
Custom colours and finishes are available please contact us for more information.
| Brand |
Computer Audio Design |
|---|
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Our delivery charges are based on weight and are charged at royal mail rates. Once you have added an item into your basket the shipping charge should appear based on the weight of your order, initially the charge is shown from a UK resident but after you enter your personal details the shipping for your country will appear. We deliver to any country in the world, anywhere with a valid address, typical delivery times are between 3 and 7 days.
We will use the most appropriate carrier for your order, anything lost in transit will be replaced in a timely manner, all orders are sent using recognised postal carriers and couriers.
On heavy and bulky items the charges can be quite high so please enquire via e-mail or telephone us for an exact cost to avoid mis-understandings.
Delivery times are based on current workloads, we try to dispatch in stock orders within 3 days of receipt, if your order is urgent please add a note in the order comments box. Occasionally we may run out of stock of an item or if it is built to order (power supply’s, mains leads etc) it could take slightly longer to dispatch.
Shipping charges start at £1.95 for small items like plugs and connectors, heavy items cost more and need to be sent insured delivery so please consider that when the cost appears in your basket.
Any questions about postage or delivery please tel. 01484 540561 or send us an e-mail
All items on the site (except those made to order) can be returned under the consumer contracts regulations within 30 days. Please contact us prior to returning so we can discuss your requirements. If the item has been specially ordered (not specially made) we reserve the right to charge a nominal re-stocking fee. We expect any goods returned to be in new condition complete with original packaging otherwise we reserve the right to refuse a refund. Items classed as “tailor made” cannot be returned under the regulations although Brook Audio may accept the return under certain circumstances.
Please note if you order goods from Brook Audio and live outside the EU you may have to pay import duty/taxes on your purchase. We have no control over this charge and we do not pre-pay the charges for you. We do not declare a lower value to avoid customs charges so PLEASE DO NOT ASK US TO DO THIS.
We get asked 100’s of times every week for tracking numbers, these are usually a waste of time as they only tell you that the goods are progressing through the carriers system. Usually for items sent overseas the country you live in will determine how quickly your goods arrive, as an example the Spanish postal service is very very slow, the Russian customs clearance can take weeks as well as Brazil.
No account yet?
Create an Account
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.