Tranquility SE

About the Tranquility SE

The dB Audio Labs Tranquility SE DAC is a Signature Edition USB DAC built around a 16-bit NOS DAC chip, housed in a simple aluminum box. It uses a patented circuit after the DAC chip to eliminate non-linearities and micro-voltage interactivity issues, significantly improving sound quality compared to typical audiophile DAC designs. The SE model features a completely new interior circuit board, a doubled power supply size with improved rectifiers, and refined impedance and reactance characteristics. It operates in non-oversampling mode and accepts 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rates, downsampling higher resolution files. The output stage is a discrete class-A current-to-voltage (I/V) converter feeding RCA outputs with an output impedance around 600 ohms and higher output voltage than typical DACs. The sound is noted for a fluid, balanced presentation with tight, controlled bass, though slightly less slam compared to some competitors. It is recommended to pair the DAC with a Mac Mini for optimal performance, as Windows PC compatibility is less favorable. The DAC is appreciated for its natural midrange and engaging sound signature, making it a favorite among NOS DAC enthusiasts.