{"id":9711,"date":"2020-09-16T21:36:04","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T21:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.audioreputation.com\/?p=9711"},"modified":"2023-09-06T10:19:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T10:19:48","slug":"totaldac-d1-direct-dac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.audioreputation.com\/totaldac-d1-direct-dac\/","title":{"rendered":"Totaldac D1-Direct DAC Review – Sound Quality & Specs"},"content":{"rendered":"

R2R DACs used to be the only kind of DAC back in the 80s.  They used a ladder network made of a series of precision resistors turned on by the precision switches (current source) to convert a digital signal to analog. After the introduction of Delta-Sigma chips, the majority of manufacturers switched to Delta-Sigma DACs, mostly due to the lower costs of manufacturing and lower power requirements. Today, R2R<\/a> DACs are produced by a very small number of manufacturers. Some of the most reputable are MSB (US), LessLoss (Lithuania), Lab and Wagner (Russia), Rockna Audio (Romania), and a great company from France called the Totaldac. One of the latest Totaldac\u2019s units is the subject of our today\u2019s review \u2013 it\u2019s the Totaldac d1-direct DAC.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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D1-direct DAC is meant to be the best-sounding DAC<\/strong><\/a> from the d1 Totaldac line. It\u2019s a one-box digital-to-analog converter with a direct output stage from the R2R ladders. D1-direct is based on two Totaldac\u2019s previous products (d1-seven and flagship d1-twelve MK2) but it\u2019s not as versatile as those two and can\u2019t be used with all the preamps and power amps without additional equipment (like the d1-seven) due to the lower output voltage (1.6V) through unbalanced RCA outputs. <\/span><\/p>\n

The DAC has four digital inputs (RCA, AES-EBU, optical, USB) and supports sampling rates of up to 192kHz (16bit or 24bit). It utilizes R2R technology with 288 pieces of Vishay\u2019s ultra-high-precision 0.01% VAR Bulk Metal Foil resistors. It comes with a separate power supply which is supposed to minimize the noise. It features a custom clock with anti-jitter FIFO memory, it can work in NOS mode (non-oversampling) and it has a direct output stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as sonic performance is concerned, Totaldac d1-direct leaves nothing to be desired, especially when paired with the <\/span>d1-driver<\/span> and a highly capable preamp, power amp, and speakers<\/a>. D1-direct performs flawlessly and delivers the sound of such amazing purity and transparency. It’s the end-game DAC, especially if you’re into R2R DACs. <\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to downsides, there are two important things we want to mention. First, in some cases, your equipment won\u2019t have enough gain for 1.6V output and, if that\u2019s your case, Totaldac recommends partnering it with the d1-driver (amp driver) to get better results. Second, the DAC itself is already quite expensive ($20,000) and if you have to use the d1-driver, it will cost you at least $7,000 more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Totaldac<\/p>\n

UPSIDES<\/a><\/p>\n