Stahl~Tek to Release Ariaa DAC at AXPONA

Stahl~Tek Ariaa DAC: Introduction and Features

As an accomplishment with the Opus Series DAC being one of the world’s best sounding instruments for sound reproduction in the ultra high-end audio arena, the engineers at Stahl~Tek are proud to release a new series of DAC, the Ariaa DAC. The Ariaa DAC with its design roots based on the Opus Series DAC maintains that smooth and warm analog sound with exceptional details and a defi ned layered sound stage, but at a much more comfortable price point still within the reach of most audiophiles. With its refined engineered design and optimized circuit topology, the Ariaa exceeds in pure performance by sharing many of the design philosophies utilized within the Opus Series DAC without the need for an exotic chassis or a complex isolated power supply or discrete class-A output amplifier buffers. The Ariaa DAC is a true balance signal design for maximum dynamics from the digital-to-analog converters all the way to the final output stage like that of the Opus Series DAC. The Ariaa DAC also incorporates newly developed technologies like the multi-threaded multi-core processor for high-speed, bit-perfect USB streaming audio with current sample rates supported to 192kHz at 24-bit resolution.

The Ariaa DAC also features a RISC core processor and custom proprietary software that is utilized for sample rate monitoring and master clock frequency control to ensure the highest accurate reconstruction of the digital signal back to pure analog sonic indulgence.

For flexibility in audio system integration, the Ariaa DAC features not only onboard button controls and a highly efficient Organic LED Display, but also includes remote control ability of source selection, absolute phase (parity), volume, mute, and a power stand-by feature. With all this electronic technology, the Ariaa DAC integrates and blends itself into any High-End Audio environment with its simple yet stylistic look and refined detail.

Features

• Streams bit perfect audio data up to 24-bit @192kHz
• Supported Sampling Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
• Remote control
• Parity to ensure correct inphase and outphase response
• Volume adjustment
• Internal master clock with auto-frequency selection
• Full galvanic isolation of all outputs
• Digital inputs: I2S, SPDIF, AES/EBU, USB 2.0 (asynchronous)
• USB audio synchronization endpoint operates in the asynchronous mode
• USB 2.0 audio is built into Apple’s OS X, Version 10.6.3
• USB 2.0 High Speed 480 Mb/s Computer Interface
• Custom drivers provided for Windows XP and Windows 7
• Works with your preferred media player, such as: J-Rivers Media Center 17 and 18, Foobar 2000, MediaMonkey, among others
• Compatible with WDM/Direct X and ASIO 2.1

Technical Specifications

Power Supply: 120/220 VAC
Digital Inputs:

• I2S (Stahl~Tek HDMI (also works with PS Audio)
• SPDIF: 75Ω ± 1% on RCA
• AES/EBU: 110Ω ± 1% on XLR
• (Asynchronous) USB 2.0: 480 Mb/s, Backwards compatible to 1.0

Sampling Input/Output Frequencies: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Quantization

• 24 Bit Resolution
• Frequency Response: 0Hz - 100Hz ± 0.02dB
• Signal to Noise Ratio > 127dB
• Dynamic Range > 127dB
• THD < 0.005%
• Output Level: 3.25Vrms or + 12.45 dBu at 0 dBFS (Low Gain Setting)

Analog Outputs

• True Balanced XLR Outputs: 6.5Vrms or 18.47 dBu at 0 dBFS (High Gain Setting), 1.63Vrms or + 6.43dBu at 0 dBFS (Low Gain Setting)
• Single-Ended RCA Outputs: 3.25Vrms or + 12.45 dBu at 0 dBFS (High Gain Setting)
• Output Impedance: 43Ω

Dimensions: 17.63” x 15.73” x 4.19”

For more information visit: www.stahltek.com