DAC 5

About the DAC 5

The Audio Note (UK) **DAC 5 Special** (often shortened to **DAC 5**) is a top-level, transformer‑coupled, non‑oversampling DAC in Audio Note’s Level 5 range, built around a selected **Analogue Devices AD1865N 18‑bit stereo converter** with 44.1/48/96 kHz input capability. It uses Audio Note’s proprietary **1x oversampling “Direct from Disc”** architecture with no oversampling, jitter reduction, noise shaping or re‑clocking, performing all filtering in the analogue domain to preserve phase and dynamic coherence. The digital section is coupled via Audio Note **silver‑wired mu‑metal pulse transformers** and the patented copper‑wired “magic” I/V transformer interface, making the DAC 5 Special **fully transformer‑coupled from digital input through I/V to output**. The analogue stage is based on an upgraded **M6 line pre‑amplifier output stage**, implemented with **dual‑triode valves** and a powerful C‑core output transformer, operating pure Class A with zero global negative feedback. Published material shows two closely related tube complements: earlier descriptions reference NOS **5687WB** double triodes in the output stage with valve rectification via **6X5WGT**, while later official literature specifies an M6‑derived stage using **5814A (ECC82/12AU7A)** and **6463** dual triodes, plus rectifier and regulator valves (6X5, ECL82, 5651). In all cases, the DAC 5 Special employs **dual‑mono power supplies with double‑choke filtering and valve rectification** to maximise isolation between digital and analogue sections and provide exceptionally clean power. Premium components include **Black Gate** and Cerafine capacitors, Audio Note **tantalum film resistors**, silver connectors and **Audio Note silver wiring** throughout, together with high‑performance C‑core output transformers using advanced AN Perma or nickel cores with claimed bandwidth approaching **5–200 kHz**. The rear panel provides **two digital inputs** (75 Ω coaxial RCA S/PDIF and 110 Ω balanced XLR AES/EBU) and **single‑ended RCA plus balanced XLR analogue outputs**, with typical output impedance around **600 Ω balanced or single‑ended** and reference output approximately **3.2 V RMS**. The unit is hand‑built, with stringent selection and matching of critical parts, and is positioned as one of Audio Note’s **ultimate Level 5 digital playback components**, often used within their Fifth Element/Fifth Force and other flagship systems.