Arcam FMJ D33 DAC digital to analogue converter

Arcam FMJ D33 DAC digital to analogue converter

Solidly constructed in a full width case, the D33 DAC is a seriously high performance converter using state of the art electronics and custom firmware to extract the best analogue audio from digital music files. Featuring a sturdy, acoustically 'dead', steel folded enclosure with precision milled aluminium fascia, the D33 has a quality, understated appearance which is built to last.

The left hand side of the front panel displays the sampling frequency of the received digital audio stream - 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and lastly 192kHz for high definition audio.

Eight soft touch push buttons occupy the remainder of the front panel, giving selection control of the various digital inputs available, namely optical 1 and 2, coaxial 1 and 2, iPod, USB and balanced AES/EBU connections. Two filter slopes are accessed via the last remaining push button, to give a steep or gently rolled off high frequency response - just selected the filter setting that compliments your hi-fi system and particular room acoustics.

Arcam have developed a number of entry level DAC's over the past two years including the Air DAC and rDac, however they identified a need for a true high end device with little or no compromise to allow audiophiles to hear every last detail from their digital music files, hence the D33 is now at the top of the Arcam product line up.

Individual Burr Brown PCM1792, 24bit / 192kHz DAC's are employed on the main circuit board, with heavy regulation of power supplies and bypassed against interference by low ESR electrolytic capacitors. Dual 60VA toroidal transformers provide low noise power to analogue and digital circuitry with no cross contamination, helping to keep noise and power supply induced distortion to an absolute minimum.

Cutting edge electronics is evident from the use of DICE TCD2210 CMOS ASIC and XILINX Spartan PLD to handle the processing of the digital audio streams. The four layer PCD keeps circuit paths short thereby enhancing the audio sound quality and reducing noise and distortion still further.

On the rear panel, as well as the usual IEC mains input (which accepts both 120V and 230V via an external switch setting), the FMJ D 33 offers RS232 control via a standard 9-pin D connector for custom installation applications, together with 12V trigger and Infra red input. Two USB inputs are available, one isolated by an Analog Devices ADUM3160 USB port isolator, the other a high speed class II USB port.

Apple i Devices can be connected and charged via the normal USB connection on the rear panel, and two coaxial digital inputs and two toslink optical inputs are also available, together with AES/EBU balanced.

Audio outputs suitable to feed to your amplifier are presented on both RCA phono connections (two pairs) or a single pair of XLR balanced connections for the highest possible fidelity.

In order to achieve the highest possible performance from this FMJ product, we thoroughly recommend you ask us to calibrate and install this product for you in the comfort of your home