Audio Note DAC 2.1x/II Balanced
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About the
Audio Note DAC 2.1x/II Balanced.
The DAC 2.1x/II Balanced is the top build of Audio Note UK’s Level 2 converter — no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping, no re-clocking, on the Analogue Devices AD1865 18-bit chip. The output stage is an upgraded version of the classic AN Line-preamplifier circuit running a pair of ECC82 / 5814a double triodes into custom in-house output transformers, with provisions for both single-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) operation. The power supply is valve-rectified, in the full-size Balanced DAC chassis.
Audio Note DAC 2.1x/II Balanced across 6 variants.
Six DACs climbing through the Audio Note UK tier ladder. The brand uses non-oversampling (NOS) R2R conversion throughout — no delta-sigma, no upsampling. The output stage moves from solid-state at the entry tier (0.1x) to fully valve-based + silver-wired by Level 5 (DAC 5). Each tier matches the rest of the catalogue: a DAC 2.1x belongs with a Level 2 amp / preamp pairing.
| Model | Tier | Output Stage | Balanced Output | Output Transformer | Notes | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAC 0.1x | 0 | Solid-state | No | — | Zero range entry · CD-spec | — |
| DAC 1.1x | 1 | Valve | No | — | First valve output stage in the line | — |
| DAC 2.1x Signature | 2 | Valve | No | Copper-wound | Transformer-coupled output | — |
| DAC 3.1x/II Balanced | 3 | Valve, balanced | Yes | Copper-wound | First balanced DAC · pairs with balanced amps | — |
| DAC 4.1x Balanced Sig. | 4 | Valve, balanced | Yes | Silver secondary | IZVOR build · Level 4 silver upgrade | — |
| DAC 5 Signature | 5 | Valve, AN silver wire | Yes | Silver-wound, AN reference | IZVOR build · Level 5 flagship | — |
