4.1x

About the 4.1x

The Audio Note UK DAC 4.1X Balanced Signature is a premium digital to analogue converter designed for ultimate sonic fidelity rather than technical specification metrics. It employs an 18-bit Analogue Devices AD1865 stereo converter chip, chosen for its superior sound quality over higher bit versions. The DAC eschews oversampling, jitter reduction, noise shaping, and re-clocking, performing all filtering in the analogue domain to preserve wideband phase-frequency and dynamic coherence. The upgraded M6 line pre-amplifier output stage uses a pair of 5687 double triode valves coupled with a 33:1 step-down output transformer wound with Audio Note copper wire on a High B C-core, delivering wide frequency response and excellent dynamic transfer. The unit features both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, with high-quality connectors. Power is supplied by a dual-channel valve-rectified power supply with double choke filtering, providing excellent isolation and low noise. Internal components include Audio Note capacitors and tantalum film resistors, with filter inductors and wiring made from Audio Note wire. Inputs include RCA 75 Ohms SPDIF and XLR 110 Ohms AES/EBU. The DAC weighs approximately 42 pounds and measures 18" x 6" x 17". It is housed in a robust chassis with a grey silver faceplate and a single power LED indicator. This DAC is highly regarded for its musicality, emotional engagement, and detailed, natural sound reproduction.