DAC
DAC
Natural, sweet, open and organic are not words usually used to describe digital electronics but those were the design goals for the BorderPatrol DAC. Too many digital audio products sound processed, unnatural and un-involving and this is particularly true of many of the new generation of hi-resolution delta-sigma DAC’s.
The BorderPatrol DAC uses a R2R DAC chip with no over-sampling and no digital filtering fed from a very sophisticated choke input, tube rectified power supply to produce one of the most natural, ‘un-digital’ sounds it is possible to hear.
Many owners have said this is the first DAC that they can listen to for long periods without irritation or fatigue and that lets them emotionally connect to digital music for the first time.
Several vinyl diehards are now happily streaming and playing CD’s after previously giving up on digital audio.
This relatively low cost DAC is equally at home in affordable audio systems or in esoteric systems such as the BorderPatrol/Volti/Triode wire labs systems costing tens of thousands of dollars that it frequently finds itself in at audio shows.
If your right brain dominates and your romantic heart throbs, I highly recommend the DAC SE.
Once I stopped comparing and just listened, I fell in love with the sound. BorderPatrol has a musicality that you just don’t get from everyday digital gear.
See the video here >
It’s a little breathtaking, really, but never in that fatiguing kind of way.
Right away I knew the BorderPatrol wasn’t just another digital converter; there was more life, more body and soul to the sound of files.
See the video here >
I hadn’t intended on writing a review. After living with its sonic seduction, I couldn’t resist doing a bit more than just a follow-up piece.
At its price point, and frankly, at a good bit above, I can’t think of another DAC that would provide a more musically involving experience. Highly recommended.
Available with asynchronous USB input, SPDIF(COAX) input or switchable USB + SPDIF(COAX). Custom options include two switchable COAX SPDIF inputs or switchable COAX and BNC SPDIF inputs.
Plays files up to 24/96kHz via USB or SPDIF(COAX) including TIDAL Master recordings.
The DAC features:
A non-oversampling (NOS), no digital filtering Phillips TDA1543 R2R DAC chip circuit with no output buffering.
A painted copper metal chassis.
A tube/solid-state hybrid choke input filter power supply featuring an EZ80 tube rectifier. (To our knowledge, BorderPatrol is the only company applying tube rectification and choke input filtering to digital circuits.)
Dimensions: W x D x H:9 x 7x 3in (226 x 173 x 78mm)
Shipping Weight: 8lb/4kg
| SE-i USB | $1650 |
| SE-i SPDIF | $1650 |
| SE-i SPDIF X2 | $1750 |
| SE-i USB+SPDIF | $2125 |
220V-240V versions available. The mains voltage is configured internally and will be factory set for the destination country.
International Buyers (including Canada) please purchase using PayPal below. An additional invoice will be sent to you to cover additional shipping charges which costs $50-95 to most destinations.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT AVAILABLE AT CHECK OUT
FREE SHIPPING TO MAINLAND USA ADDRESSES
NOW AVAILABLE WITH A BLACK FACEPLATE
All DAC’s are sold with a 14-day return option. Terms and conditions here.
Available as USB only, SPDIF(COAX or COAXIAL) only or switchable USB + SPDIF(COAXIAL). The USB version of the DAC also features a SPDIF output which enables it to function as a very high quality USB to SPDIF converter.
HANDMADE AWARD WINNING AUDIO PRODUCTS THAT DELIGHT
LISTENERS WITH NATURAL TIMBRE AND VIVID DYNAMICS
