Audio Note DAC 5 Special

The DAC 5 Special is the standard AD1865-based Level 5 converter, distinct from the chipless DAC 5 IZVOR resistor-ladder model sold alongside it. It has no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking; the data stream is reformatted and all filtering done in the analogue domain. Conversion uses the 18-bit Analogue Devices AD1865 chip, with 80% nickel super mu-metal filter coils wound in 99.99% pure Audio Note silver. The output stage is an upgraded M6 line stage on a 5814a and 6463 dual-triode pair, coupled to a 33:1 silver-wound output transformer on a High B C-core. A dual-channel double-choke valve-rectified supply powers it, and the circuit is filled with Black Gate and Cerafine capacitors and Audio Note Tantalum film resistors.