Frequency range
The audio frequency range supported by the device. Most often, we are talking about the frequency range that the device can output in an analogue audio signal at the output.
In general, the wider the frequency range — the fuller the sound, the lower the likelihood that the transducer will “cut off” the upper or lower frequencies. However, note that the human ear is able to hear sounds at frequencies from 16 to 22,000 Hz, and the upper limit decreases with age. So from a practical point of view, it does not make sense to provide a wider range in audio technology. And the impressive numbers found in high-end devices (for example, 1 – 50,000 Hz) are more of a "side effect" of advanced electronic circuits and are given in the characteristics mainly for the purpose of advertising. Also recall that the overall sound quality is affected by many other factors, in addition to the frequency range.
More features
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ASIO support. Support for the ASIO audio standard. This feature is relevant when connected to a computer, when the device actually plays the role of an external sound card. ASIO technology is responsible for the interaction between specialized software and audio hardware; at the same time, it provides data transmission with minimal delay, which allows musicians and sound engineers to process sound in real time. This standard is used exclusively in operating systems of the Windows family, interaction with other operating systems is built in other ways (see in particular
"MAC support").
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DSD support. The device supports the DSD standard, a specific digital audio signal standard that uses the so-called. pulse density modulation. The bit depth of such a signal is only 1 bit, but the sampling rate reaches 2822.4 kHz (64 times more than in the Audio CD format). Compared to the more common PCM standards, this format provides higher sound quality, better noise and error immunity, and lower noise levels. In general, DSD is considered a professional standard, and its support is found mainly in high-end equipment.
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MQA support. The device supports the MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) standard, designed to preserve and transmit the original quality of sound recordings in high resolution. The technology was invented by the
...American company Meridian Audio. In fact, MQA improves standard digital audio by minimizing phase problems and pre-ringing/echo modulation effects. The technology uses special compression algorithms that allow high-quality audio files to be packaged into more compact sizes.
— I2S. Device support I2S standard. This is a digital audio format originally developed for "internal use" — for transmitting a signal between individual modules inside audio devices. However, more recently it has also been used for communication between individual components of audio systems. Note that this format does not have its own connector; various types of connectors can be used to receive the I2S signal, including LAN (RJ-45), BNC and even HDMI. In fact, this connector plays the role of another digital audio input. Specifically, the I2S standard, on the one hand, is distinguished by good communication quality and noise immunity, on the other hand, it is relatively rare.
— Thunderbolt. A universal digital connector, in this case used to connect a device to a computer. Such connectors are most widely used in Apple technology; accordingly, almost all devices equipped with them are compatible with Mac (see the relevant paragraph).
— FireWire. Also known as IEEE 1394 or i-Link. A universal connector that is similar in functionality to USB, and even surpasses it in some characteristics, but is much less common. It is used to connect to computers and some types of specialized audio equipment.
— Bluetooth. The device supports Bluetooth wireless technology. The main application of this technology in DACs is the wireless transmission of audio from an external Bluetooth device (smartphone, laptop, etc.) to the converter. Initially, such a transfer was associated with a loss of sound quality, but relatively recently, the aptX format has appeared, which allows you to transfer audio via Bluetooth without loss in quality. So when choosing a transducer with Bluetooth, it doesn't hurt to check if it supports aptX (and, of course, this standard must also be supported by the signal source).
In addition to broadcasting sound, there are other options for using Bluetooth — for example, using an external gadget as a remote control. However, they are much less common.
— Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi technology supported by the device. Recall that this technology is mainly used as a way to wirelessly connect to the Internet and local networks. Accordingly, most models with this feature are actually network players capable of playing content from local networks and/or the Internet. The specific capabilities of these devices may vary, some of them are even capable of working with Internet radio stations and audio streaming services. Also, Wi-Fi can be used for direct communication with other devices such as smartphones or tablets, but such use is practically not found among DACs.
— Connecting an iPod/iPhone. The presence in the device of special tools for working with portable gadgets from Apple — primarily iPod players and iPhone smartphones. Usually, in such models, the possibility of a wired connection through a standard 8-pin Lightning connector is provided. In addition, the software part may include special functions for integration with the "apple" gadget. But the ways of using such a connection can be different. For example, in a DAC (see "Type"), the iPhone or iPod serves as a source of digital audio, which is converted by the converter and output to the speakers. And audio interfaces with this function are actually adapters for various musical instruments: the sound from the instrument is processed by the interface and digitally transmitted to the gadget for recording and further processing using the built-in software.
— Mac support. Compatibility of the device with computers and laptops from Apple running the proprietary Mac OS X operating system. Such computers have their own specific features and requirements for peripherals, so for guaranteed compatibility, you should choose equipment that originally claims Mac support.
— Phantom power. The presence of phantom power in the device. Such a power supply, with a nominal voltage of 48 V, is necessary for the operation of certain types of microphones — in particular, condenser ones. Accordingly, the presence of this function means compatibility with similar types of microphones — an important feature, given that many high-end studio-level microphones are made specifically with condensers. Phantom power is found only among audio interfaces (see "Type").Output voltage (XLR)
The output voltage provided by the device on the XLR outputs.
See below for more details on these outputs. And compatibility with an external amplifier or other analogue audio receiver depends on this indicator: the output voltage of the DAC must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the receiving device, otherwise the latter will not be able to process the sound normally.
Toroidal transformer
The presence
of a toroidal transformer in the design of the device.
Such a transformer has a core in the form of a toroid (ring). It is believed that such a design reduces the level of extraneous electromagnetic radiation and minimizes the likelihood of interference from the transformer.
