ACCUSTIC ARTS® TUBE DAC II – MK 3: The next level

The tube hybrid TUBE DAC II DA converter from ACCUSTIC ARTS® was introduced in 2007 and has since enjoyed a lot of success and received numerous awards. Now the converter has been fundamentally revised to offer the additional possibility to play direct stream digital (DSD) music data.

As with the previous model, the MK 3 version is also equipped with numerous excellent connection possibilities and plays a number of different digital sound formats.

The important features of the TUBE DAC II – MK 3 include 5 digital inputs (XLR, 2 x coaxial, optical and USB). The USB input works according to the latest asynchronous 24/192 technology and is compatible to DSD. In the playback of different music formats customers can choose between native signal processing or upsampling to 192 kHz. An integrated preamplifier section with volume control enables direct connection of the TUBE DAC II – MK 3 to a power amplifier.

TUBE DAC II-MK3 highlights

  • Audiophile high-precision D/A converter
  • Ultra-precise 24 bit / 192 kHz technology
  • ACCUSTIC ARTS® “tube hybrid” technology
  • D/A converter section with the following advantages:
    – 5 digital inputs: 2 x coaxial, 1 x balanced, 1 x optical, 1 x USB
    – USB interface with modern asynchronous 24/192 technology
    – easy playback of different audio files (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, etc.) from Windows® or Mac OS X® computer via USB interface with USB drivers within scope of delivery
    – selection between “native” signal processing or 24/192 upsampling
  • Playback of hi-res DSD audio files
  • ACCUSTIC ARTS® “tube hybrid“ technology with following advantages:
    – very low distortion and a “good-natured”, perfect distortion spectrum
    – “analog” sound experience with exceptional precision
    – easy tube change without readjustment (plug & play)
    – selected “military” tubes of the highest quality
  • Analog section with the following advantages:
    – 1 fully balanced output (XLR)
    – 1 unbalanced output (RCA)
    – outputs are fixed or volume controlled via the integrated pre-amplifier function (selected by push-in button)
    – analog output stage class A standard
  • 2 magnetically shielded toroidal core transformer (“Made in Germany”) of the highest quality for high output reserve (1 x 150 VA, 1 x 75 VA)
  • Very elaborate power supply with separate supply voltages for the individual assemblies to enable best possible decoupling of signals
  • ACCUSTIC ARTS® remote control
  • Extremely stable, solid, resonance-balanced housing manufactured primarily with 10 mm thick aluminium plates
  • The ACCUSTIC ARTS® TUBE DAC II – MK 3 is “Handmade in Germany”

Specifications

Input data formats:
Hi-res audio up to 24 bit / 192 kHz (ALAC, FLAC, AIFF, WAV etc.)
DSD64 (2.8 MHz)

Digital inputs:
1 x AES/EBU; balanced – 110 Ω (XLR)
2 x S/P-DIF; unbalanced – 75 Ω (COAX)
1 x TOSLINK; optical
1 x USB 2.0

Digital outputs:
1 x AES/EBU; balanced – 110 Ω (XLR)
1 x S/P-DIF; unbalanced – 75 Ω (COAX)
1 x TOSLINK; optical

Analog outputs:
1 x balanced – 2 x 33 Ω (XLR)
1 x unbalanced – 33 Ω (COAX)

Transformer power:
1 x 150 VA, 1 x 75 VA

Distortion (THD+N):
0.003 % with 24 bit (22Hz – 22 kHz)

Crosstalk:
107 dB with digital 0 dB

Power consumption:
max. 30 W

Tube type:
12 AX 7 dual triode – military version, 4-times selected and matched

Dimensions (H x W x D):
100 x 482 x 375 mm / 3.9 x 19 x 14.8 inches

Weight:
12 kg / 26.4 lbs.