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Intro
Our HA-160D 3 in 1 unit has been warmly received by fellow audiophiles since 2010. Since then, developing a stand alone DAC based on the DAC section of the HA-160D has always been on our minds. After taking into account product feedback and many more valuable suggestions from the audiophile community, we have developed the DA-160, which is fully discrete, more refined in sound and with better compatibility and connectivity. The result met all of our expectations.
Fully discrete:
Our dissatisfaction with IC based building blocks such as IC opamps and 3 pin power supply regulators have been well aired. The DA-160 is completely free of such cost focused building blocks. Instead we have built the entire DAC with idealistic circuitry designs and top quality discrete components. The focus of our discrete approach was purely on performance.
A more matured and refined sound
Although the DA-160 is based on the DAC section of the HA-160D, being a stand alone DAC we had more freedom to further optimise its performance. We decided to tweak the power supply network into a constant current source power supply and use two power transformers to lower the noise. The result is a more matured sound with even richer micro dynamics and substance.
Connectivity
The new DA-160 is designed to be the heart of an audio system, therefore connectivity is a must. We added two sets of USB inputs to make sharing the DAC between 2 PCs or wireless player easy. Apart from the standard RCA S/PDIF, an additional Optical Toslink was also added. Furthermore there are two sets of RCA outputs running parallel to make sharing the outputs of DA-160 between the two systems possible (eg, headphone amplifier and intergraded amplifier).
Burson HD Audio DAC
While most of the marketing spin centres on the DAC chip, the output stages are in fact the most critical stages in any audio DAC design. They are not getting the air time that they deserve because properly designed output stages are complex and expensive, and the concept is harder to sell to a customer compared to a DAC chip model number.
After the digital signals (0s and 1s) are converted by the DAC chip into stereo signals, A chain of output stages are needed to reconstruct, preserve and amplify the very weak analog signals. Any distortion and signal loss during these stages is irreversible. Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer awareness of the output stages, they are where most audio companies cut their costs, and it is common to see an output stage designed around a $20 IC opamp.
The DA-160 has fully discrete output stages that are independently powered. Operating in Class-A, they ensure the highest level of signal preservation. The result is higher resolution audio playback, with a completely transparent sonic signature consistent with our ideals.
High Density (HD) Construction
Conventional PCB designs are not only big and clumsy, but they often leave audio equipment not optimised.
We squeezed components close and stacked one densely populated PCB on top of another. This design process was completely manual and it complicated production. However because the sonic benefits outweighed the pain, we persisted.
Our HD construction achieves a smaller footprint, while enhancing sonic performance by lowering noise and unwanted capacitance.
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In the DA-160 we designed a Variable Output Buffer stage to allow better matching with all down stream equipment. It ensured optimal performance of our DA-160 across any platform. |
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Measurement: Frequency response: 5Hz (-0.3dB) to 35 kHz (-1dB)
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Package Content
General: Dimensions: 180mm x 250mm x 80mm |
Order From Your Retailer
Before buying, please visit our retailers page. If there is an authorised Burson Retailer near you then please complete your order there. Buying from an authorised Burson retailer in your area could save you transit cost and taxes such as the VAT in Europe. Buying locally will also ensure better after sells services.
Australian customers should contact our distributor to finalise your order: www.ultrasone.com.au
Order From Us
Your order will be sent via TNT Express / Fedex unless advice otherwise with 3-5 days transit to most major cities. Tracking number will be provide automatically.
Please provide your contact phone number and email address during your Paypal payment so we can update you with your shipping status and contact you if there is any problem with your order.
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Sonic Characteristics
Reproducing Ray Charles through the DA-160, his emotional expressions through words or through his unique sounds was superbly controlled. In his duet of "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" with Elton John, you could hear that Ray Charles was weakened by cancer but the fire in his voice burned bright, turning a simple tune into an intimate and enticing lover's plea! You can also hear Elton John is deeply moved. Ray Charles once said that he never sings the same song twice. He said that it's because he sings based on how he feels on that day and every day is different. With satisfaction, the DA-160 was able to reproduce how he and Sir Elton John felt on that day.
DA-160 Review & Feedbacks
The function of Opamps at the output stage is as important as the lens on a cinema projector. Regardless of the analytical capability of the audio gear, an inferior opamp will halve a machine's performance, and distort every dB of sonic imagery.
Just like our acclaimed HA160, the DA-160 features our Burson HD audio opamp. It enables the DA-160 to reproduce music in superior resolution and accuracy.
We understand how critical it is for a DAC to match well with different down stream equipment (eg. Headphone amplifier, pre amplifier, passive preamp and various solid state or tube designs.) In 2007 we introduced the AB-160 audio buffer to resolve this precise issue. 
Just like an athlete needs clean air to perform at an optimum standard – audio equipment needs clean power to reproduce transparent and natural music.
The DA-160 is housed in a 6mm case, constructed from high precision machined aluminium. This enclosure allows the DA-160, to achieve a very high mechanical damping factor, which reduces any microphonic effects, that may degrade the clarity of sonic performance.