Vincent DAC-1 Mk

The Vincent DAC-1 Mk is a standalone digital-to-analogue converter, designed to turn a digital audio stream from a computer, network player or digital source into an analogue signal for an amplifier. It is intended as a separate building block in a hi-fi chain, between the digital source and the amplification stage.

Decoding relies on an ES9038 chip, with fully balanced signal processing in the analogue section. The USB input accepts streams up to 32-bit/384 kHz and supports DSD256, while the optical and coaxial inputs are limited to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD64: the USB connection therefore allows the unit's maximum resolution to be exploited. The power supply uses a dual-winding transformer, one dedicated to the analogue section and the other to the digital section, which limits interference between the two stages and supports a more dynamic reproduction. The analogue section uses components from selected manufacturers, including WIMA and Nichicon.

This DAC is aimed at a user wishing to make the most of a high-resolution digital source, whether via a computer over USB or a player connected via optical or coaxial, with the option of outputting the signal in RCA or balanced XLR to an amplifier.