COMPACT DAC, AUDIO PROCESSOR AND NETWORK RENDERER
Unveil the true sound of the audio material with the compact DAC501 digital-to-analog converter. The DAC501 goes beyond simply reproducing your sound - it also lets you correct frequency imbalances in your room and adjust the sound to better suit your preference.

ACCURATE AND ADJUSTABLE
The DAC501 is not only one of the best digital-to-analog converters available on the market today, offering an accurate and soulful presentation of the audio.

It also includes user-configurable settings, from room EQ and de-essing to crosstalk cancellation, dynamics compensation, loudness control, and even vinyl emulation.

HIGH CONNECTIVITY
The DAC501 comes with digital inputs in numerous formats and has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384 kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.

Furthermore, the unit functions as a preamp, headphone amp, and streamer (UPnP/ROON).

There is also a four-channel version available, with "4ch" added to the model name. A standard two-channel unit can be upgraded to the 4ch version.
A description of the 4ch version can be downloaded from here.

DAC501 PRODUCT COMPARISON
The DAC501 and DAC502 are identical, apart from the latter using a larger enclosure and an additional 4-pin headphone socket at the back of the unit. Both models are offered in aluminum or black finishes.

The DAC501 includes all the audio processing features of the DSP501 - so one could view the latter unit as a DAC501 without the D/A conversion.

PURIST SIGNAL PATH
To achieve its exceptional performance specifications, the DAC501 uses dual 32-bit D/A converter chips, with two conversion channels per audio channel.

It also uses an internal high-precision/low jitter clock generator for ultra-stable clocking of the D/A converter section.

PROFESSIONAL PROCESSING
The built-in audio processing is based on the same trailblazing algorithms used in Weiss Engineering's professional audio tools.

So with the DAC501, you can adjust your audio using the same professional-grade algorithms that were likely used to mix and master the original recording.

EASE OF USE
The DAC501 comes with an IR remote control which can be used to select the active input and output, the DSP audio processing presets, and switch power on and off.

Furthermore, it is possible to control and configure the DAC501 via a web browser, which adds detailed control of the DSP processing and preset management.

POWER SUPPLY
A powerful non-switching power supply is used. All sensitive voltages have their own regulators which are separated between left and right channels. The result is an analog output free of "digital noise" and channel crosstalk. The power switch activates a semiconductor relay which only switches on or off at zero crossings of the mains voltage. This assures a glitch free power switching. The two mains transformers are toroidal types. Mains voltage selection is done automatically by measuring the mains voltage before power is applied to the rest of the electronics.

SYNCHRONIZATION
An internal high precision / low jitter clock generator is responsible for clocking the D/A converter section. The sampling frequency of that generator is fixed at about 195kHz. The input signals are converted to the 195kHz sampling frequency for optimal signal quality. This scheme also helps significantly in reducing any jitter related effects. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384 kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.

DIGITAL INPUTS
There are a total of five inputs:

AES/EBU or S/PDIF via XLR, Toslink and RCA sockets

UPnP / DLNA via Ethernet

USB

Roon Ready

Accepted formats: PCM 44.1kHz up to 384 kHz, DSD 64x / 128x.

Future formats can be accommodated for via software updates.

Weiss DAC501

SIGNAL PROCESSING
The DAC50x has a digital signal processing chip built in (DSP).
The following DSP algorithms are currently implemented:

Room Equalizer - to suppress room modes for a decent bass reproduction.

Creative Equalizer - a tone control with low boost/cut, high boost/cut and mid boost/cut. Very useful to correct those recordings which do not quite sound right.

De-Essing - the automatic removal of overly bright sibilances from human voices. The sibilance effect can be more or less pronounced depending on your speakers or room acoustics.

Constant Volume - adjusts the audio volume (loudness) to a constant value across all tracks played. Useful for "party mode" when the volume control should stay untouched.

Vinyl Emulation - get that special sonic character of a record player based playback chain. We also employ an emulation of the DMM-CD procedure offered by the Stockfisch label.

Crosstalk Cancelling (XTC) - for the playback of dummy head recordings or live recordings via speakers for an incredible live sensation. Dummy head recordings usually are listened to via headphones because they only work properly if the left channel goes to the left ear only and the right channel to the right ear only. With speakers this is difficult to achive as the left channel goes to the left and the right ear. But with some clever signal processing of the speaker channels is is possible to suppress the crosstalk, i.e. the audio going from the left speaker to the right ear and vice versa. If that works properly then the recording sounds as if one would be in the space where the recording has taken place. All the reverberation and 3D representation of the sound sources is there.(For speaker based playback only.)

Loudness Control - a listening volume dependent equalization of the audio.

Headphone Equalizer - to adapt any headphone to the listener's ears in terms of frequency response.

Crossfeed - to emulate a speaker based playback impression on headphones.

CONVERTERS
Two of the latest 32 bit D/A Converter chips are used. Two D/A conversion channels are used per audio channel, resulting in exceptional performance specifications.

Analog Outputs

Line out unbalanced on RCA connector.

Line out balanced on XLR connector.

Headphone out on 1/4" Jack Analogue.

Discrete output stages for both line and headphone outputs are employed.

The output levels can be set in a coarse manner with 4 steps to adapt for the amplifier or headphone connected. The levels can be set independently for line and headphone outputs.

No sound degrading servo mechanisms are used.

Web Interface
The DAC50x has a web interface for configuring it via a web browser. The following functions are accessible via the web interface:

Volume and Balance controls.

Input selection.

Output type.

DSP algorithms configuration.

DSP snapshots configuration.

Power
Mains voltage: 100...120 V or 200...240 V, automatic voltage selection?
Fuse rating: 500 mA slow blow at 100...120 V, 250 mA slow blow at 200...240 V?
Power consumption: 25 VA max.?
Power consumption in standby: 2.2 VA max.

Size
Depth: 30 cm
Width: 18,8 cm
Height: 6,6 cm
Height with feet: 7,2 cm

Digital Inputs
(1) XLR connector
(1) RCA connector
(1) TOSLINK connector (optical)
(1) USB type B connector
(1) RJ45 Ethernet connector

LINE OUTPUT

XLR Output with a 0 dBFS sine wave input:
0 dB setting: 6.8 Vrms +18.9 dBu
-10 dB setting: ?2.2 Vrms +8.9 dBu
-20 dB setting: 0.68 Vrms -1.1 dBu
-30 dB setting: 0.22 Vrms -11.1 dBu

Suggested subsequent amplifier input impedances:?
0 dB setting: 900 ? or higher?
-10 dB setting: 100 ? or higher?
-20 dB setting: 60 ? or higher?
-30 dB setting: 60 ? or higher

RCA Output with a 0 dBFS sine wave input:
0 dB setting: 3.4 Vrms +12.9 dBu
-10 dB setting: ?1.1 Vrms +2.9 dBu
-20 dB setting: 0.34 Vrms -7.1 dBu
-30 dB setting: 0.11 Vrms -17.1 dBu

Suggested subsequent amplifier input impedances:?
0 dB setting: 450 ? or higher?
-10 dB setting: 50 ? or higher?
-20 dB setting: 30 ? or higher?
-30 dB setting: 30 ? or higher

?HEADPHONE OUTPUT

Headphone output with a 0 dBFS sine wave input:
0 dB setting: 6.8 Vrms +18.9 dBu
-10 dB setting: ?2.2 Vrms +8.9 dBu
-20 dB setting: 0.68 Vrms -1.1 dBu
-30 dB setting: 0.22 Vrms -11.1 dBu

Suggested headphone impedances:
0 dB setting: 200 ? or higher?
-10 dB setting: 30 ? or higher?
-20 dB setting: 10 ? or higher?
-30 dB setting: 4 ? or higher