DACO

Digital to Analog Converter with tube amplification stage

Application

DACO is a high-end digital-to-analog converter designed for demanding music lovers who want to experience digital audio with the depth and character of true analog sound. It serves as the central hub between your digital sources and your amplification system, translating digital signals into a rich, natural listening experience. Unlike typical studio-oriented DACs, DACO is purpose-built for your living room, where emotion, space, and musicality matter most – sometimes all you need is a quiet night, a dim light, and music that feels just right. By combining a transformer-coupled tube output buffer, DACO delivers warmth, dimensionality, and effortless dynamics, making long listening sessions deeply engaging and fatigue-free.

Rediscover Music, The Analog Way.

Construction

At the heart of DACO lies a carefully engineered digital section built around high-performance AKM conversion chips, ensuring precise and transparent signal decoding. The digital domain is handled with accuracy and control, while the analog stage brings life and musical expression. This is where two worlds meet: the precision of modern digital processing and the organic character of analog circuitry. The signal passes through a transformer-balanced tube stage, where it is gently shaped and enriched, before being transferred via custom transformers. The result is a seamless integration of clarity and emotion, technical excellence combined with musical soul.

Where Precision Meets Emotion.

External Appearance

DACO is housed in a precisely crafted enclosure made from 3 mm CNC-machined aluminum, combining structural rigidity with a refined, contemporary aesthetic. The front panel is centered around a 2″ OLED display, which clearly presents the selected digital input and current sampling rate. Next to the display, a dedicated input selector allows intuitive navigation between sources, while an integrated IR receiver window enables convenient remote control operation. The rear panel offers a comprehensive set of digital inputs and analog outputs, with full details provided in the Specifications section. The entire unit is assembled in a compact 380 × 290 mm chassis and weighs 6 kg, reflecting its solid construction and premium build quality.

Crafted to Be Seen. Built to Be Heard.

Technical Specifications

DACO supports a wide range of digital inputs, including SPDIF, ADAT, USB, AES-EBU, and Bluetooth, making it highly versatile in modern audio systems. The output stage is built around a pair of NOS military-grade 6N6P-VI tubes, selected for their exceptional linearity and reliability. This configuration allows for an extended low-frequency response reaching as deep as 8 Hz. The tube buffer is transformer-balanced both at the input and output, with full galvanic isolation from the output stage. All transformers are custom-designed and supplied by UTM Industry, ensuring optimal performance, low noise, and perfect signal integrity throughout the entire audio path.

Engineered for Pure Signal Integrity.

Dual AK4493SEQ DAC (AKM)
Digital receiver AK4118 (AKM)
Bluetooth receiver QCC5125 (Qualcomm)
Tube output buffer: 2 × 6N6P-VI or 6N30P
GZ34 tube, dual-diode rectified, ultra low-noise, linear power supply
Designed without global negative feedback
Transformer-balanced outputs
Transformer-coupled balanced interstage
Frequency response: 8 Hz – 80 kHz (±1 dB)
THD: < 0.03% (1 kHz, 0 dBFS)
Dynamic range: 112 dB (AES17)
2-inch OLED display
Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, S/PDIF, ADAT, USB, Bluetooth
Analog Outputs: RCA (unbalanced): 2.5 V RMS, XLR (balanced): 5 V RMS
Supported Digital Formats:
Bluetooth: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz
ADAT / S/PDIF / AES/EBU: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz
USB: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 384 kHz
DSD64 (2.8 MHz) / DSD128 (5.6 MHz) / DSD256 (11.2 MHz) / DSD512 (22.5 MHz)
Power consumption: 45 W
Package dimensions: 55 × 45 × 20 cm
Shipping weight: 7 kg
Designed and manufactured in Poland