PDX DAC
For those audiophiles who have embraced the potential of computer audio, or simply wanted a cost-effective upgrade for their CD player, a standalone DAC has increasingly become the heart of many high-end systems. A huge amount of development effort has been lavished on the current generation of devices; yet, when customers brought in their latest technological marvels to compare in our factory system, both we and they were amazed by how poor they sounded. The numbers were impressive alright (32-bit this, 768 times that...), yet somehow the beauty, the subtlety and the emotion of real music were completely missing.
Determined to understand why this should be, we commissioned a talented Australian designer, Clayton Gieseler, to investigate the implementation of different DAC technologies and apply his own techniques. After more than a year of co-development, we had the PDX – which our experience tells us is nothing less than the finest DAC in the world in its price range. We have also been able to include native support for high resolution datastreams up to 24/96, via both the SPDIF and (optional) USB inputs. The latest version 10 of iTunes is capable of delivering all your 16/44.1 WAV files direct to the PDX in full 24/96 resolution.
The PDX has been designed specifically as an upgradeable platform. The base device features premium Burr Brown 1704K DAC chips and a valve output stage utilising a pair of ElectroHarmonix 6DJ8 valves. Functional enhancements including a USB input, I2S input, a supremely transparent optically-coupled analogue volume control (which can eliminate the need for a pre-amp) and full remote control of volume and input switching are offered as options. Further, we have bundled two packages of performance upgrades that have been proven cost-effective and, in the Level Two specification, allows the PDX to rival the world’s finest cost-no-object DACs. |
Lenehan Audio PDX DAC Specification / Price List
PDX DAC Dual PCM1704K 24/96 native (genuine BurrBrown premium K grade only)
Lion battery powered Wolfson 8804 S/PDIF input reciever
1 pair unbalanced RCA analogue outputs
ElectroHarmonix 6DJ8 output valves ……………………………………………..$2500
Options: USB 2.0 input (outputs I2S direct to DAC board) with
native support for 24/96 DataStream …………………………………………..add $500
Opto-coupled analogue volume control
(offers the ultimate transparency) ………………………………………………add $250
I2S input on four BNC connectors……………………………….…………..….add $250
Remote control of volume and muting
Remote …………………………………………………………………………….add $250
Lenehan Audio Dtek 1mtr BNC to BNC Spdif cable ………………….............add $160
Level One Performance Upgrade:
Genalex Gold Lion 6922 valves ; Caddock Carbon composite IV resistors
Full Oscon capacitors upgrade on digital PCB . Gold pin ceramic valve bases…...add $600
Level Two Performance Upgrade: this is in addition to the level one upgrade
Duelund VSF 400volt coupling capacitors ………………………………………………add $800
Please contact us for a quote on other upgrade options. Available for 120V or 230V mains voltages (please indicate preference when ordering). Specifications subject to change without notice.
