Arcam irDAC II USB DAC

Arcam irDAC 

Arcam saw great success with their compact irDAC digital analogue converter, and again with the release of their AirPlay receiving an equivalent, the AirDAC. Arcam is setting new standards for 2016 by revising the irDAC into a mark two version, seeing improvements to various components within and adding Bluetooth (lossless aptX) capability. Opting for Bluetooth connectivity instead of AirPlay means that the irDAC II is able to wirelessly receive digital files from almost all devices, whether they be windows or Apple laptops, or Android or iOS smart-phones, whereas AirPlay is an Apple-specific technology. 

In addition to Bluetooth, the irDAC II features a headphone output and DSD128 support, making it one of the most flexible and versatile compact DACs on the market today. The irDAC II's outstanding sound quality is down to Arcam's commitment to offering a beautiful sounding product that doesn't add or remove anything from the original sound. This is done in the irDAC II by ensuring that the digital and analogue stages are isolated, the power supplies used are ultra-low-noise and that the signal path is coupled directly. 

The critically acclaimed ESS Sabre DAC chipset sitting within the irDAC II is a major element to the irDAC II's superlative performance, tempered with the company's obsession to eradicating jitter - the result is an almost hitter-free digital analogue conversion process. The headphone stage is similar to the one that can be found in the company's flagship integrated amplifier, the A49, capable of powering even the most demanding of premium headphones. Both fixed and variable line outputs are also present, allowing for a truly flexible listening experience. 

Who is Arcam?

Arcam is a well-established UK manufacturer of quality hifi components, based just outside of the world-famous University of Cambridge. The company began in 1976, founded by two music enthusiasts with a passion for electronics. The company was initially named Amplification & Recording Cambridge, before shorting to A&R Cambridge, and eventually to the snappier and more impacting name that we know today; 'ARCAM'.