Preamp and DAC Features
ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M)
Asynchronous USB 2.0 supports PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit
USB input decodes Native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DoP DSD
Coax and optica inputs accept PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit
Analog bass management with high & low pass crossovers
Home theater bypass input for surround sound integration
Front panel subwoofer level control
Dedicated high current headphone amplifier (TI TPA6120)
Phono input for MM, MC and MI with 100 Ω or 47k Ω load
Front panel Aux input with automatic +12 dB gain stage
5 pairs RCA line level Analog inputs
1 pair XLR balanced Analog input
Balanced XLR and RCA left and right preamp outputs
1 balanced XLR and 2 RCA subwoofer outputs
Bass & treble controls with relay bypass from remote or front panel
Rear panel IR input and IR loop output jacks
12 Volt trigger output
Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons
0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs
Power Amp Features
160 Watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
240 Watts x 2 @ 4 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
Power amp circuit topology designed by legendary John Curl
Direct amplifier input to bypass preamp section
High bias class A/AB operation
Oversized shielded toroid power transformer
Dual-mono power supply and power amplifier
40,000uF power supply filter capacitance
Matched JFET input stages and MOSFET driver stages
12 high voltage/high current bipolar output transistors
Heavy-duty 24k gold-plated 5-way speaker binding posts
Over temp and short circuit relay protection
Specifications
Power Output - (0.9% THD)
(Both channels driven, 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
180 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
270 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS
Power Output - (0.05% THD)
(Both channels driven, Thank 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
240 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS
Current Capacity
45 amps peak per channel
Frequency Response
10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.01 %, average listening levels
< 0.05 %, 160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω
Interchannel Crosstalk
> 70 dB at 20 kHz
> 78 dB at 1 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio - IHF A-weighted
Line in: - 103 dB (input shorted)
Digital in: - 106 dB
Amplifier Damping Factor
> 800 at 20 Hz
Preamplifier Stage Input Sensitivity
300 mV in for 1 V at Preamp Output jacks
Total Preamp Stage Gain: 10 dB
Max Output Unbalanced: 7 V
Max Output Balanced: 9 V
Power Amplifier Stage Sensitivity
1 V at Bypass/Amp In for 28 V at Speaker Out
Total Amp Stage Gain: 28 dB
Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input Impedance
MM: 41 dB / 47 k Ω
MC: 54 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 Ω
High & Low Pass Crossover Slope
12 dB per octave
Supported DAC Sampling Rates
USB: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM
DSD Native: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256
DSD over PCM (DoP) at 384 kHz
Coax/Optical: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM
Digital to Analog Converter
ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M
384 kHz / 32-bit
USB 2.0 Controller
Savitech SA9227, 384 kHz / 32-bit
Headphone Amplifier
Texas Instruments TPA6120A
Output Impedance 10 ohms
XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 24 k Ω
Balanced: 100 k Ω per leg
Preamplifer Output Impedance
Unbalanced: 100 Ω
Balanced: 470 Ω per leg
Dimensions
Width: 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 16-1/4" (413 mm)
Depth, with cables 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Height, with feet: 5-7/8" (150 mm)
Height, without feet: 5-1/4" (133 mm), 3U
Net Weight
33 lb. (15 kg)
Shipping Weight
45 lb. (20.4 kg)
Power Requirement
Standby: 0.5 watts
Idling power: 70 watts
Maximum: 750 watts
110-125 VAC 60 Hz or 220-250 VAC 50 Hz
AC mains voltage is set on rear panel
