E20 MKIII

About the E20 MKIII

The exaSound e20 MKIII DAC delivers studio-accurate music reproduction for computer audiophiles, supporting PCM sampling rates from 44.1 to 384 kHz at 32-bit resolution and native DSD playback up to DSD256 (11.2896 MHz). It uses the ESS Technologies ES9018 Sabre32 DAC chip with jitter-cancelling technology and an asynchronous USB interface to minimize timing errors. The device features three precision oscillators achieving a master clock jitter of only 0.13 picoseconds, 17 power filtering stages to reduce noise and crosstalk, and galvanic isolation between USB and DAC circuits to eliminate ground loop noise. It includes a high-fidelity headphone amplifier with 1 ohm output impedance capable of driving demanding headphones, simultaneous gold-plated balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) line outputs, and two S/PDIF inputs for jitter reduction with CD transports. The e20 MKIII supports automatic sample rate switching and custom ASIO drivers for Windows and Mac OS X. Its compact design measures 6.5 x 2.2 x 7.9 inches and weighs 1.9 lbs. The DAC is highly regarded for its rich, detailed sound with solid bass and extended highs, making it a recommended choice for audiophiles seeking native DSD playback capability.