Denon DA-10 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Denon DA-10 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

As digital memory begins to become more and more readily accessible, even the lesser-audiophile consumers are beginning to think more-so about audio quality than ever before. Why settle for low-quality, space saving MP3 files when smartphones are capable of storing 64GB and more, at an increasingly less expensive price. 

Typically, the sound cards integrated within mobile phones are not of the best possible quality, and therefore, the benefits of these high quality formats are not immediately recognised through smartphone playback alone. That's where a high quality DAC (digital analogue converter) comes into play. Denon have constructed the DA-10, an exceptionally capable DAC with an ergonomically designed level of convenient portability. The DA-10 simply connects to your smartphone, allowing your music files to bypass the phone's sound card and let the Denon decode all the digital signals itself, while also acting as a headphone amplifier, meaning that higher quality headphone models are pushed to their full potential, as the headphone-amp section of a smartphone is usually designed for low power consumption, and not necessarily to offer the best possible sound.

The DAC-10 features an advanced analogue output stage, designed to optimise the performance of a vast range of headphone types, whether they be premium audiophile headphones, or studio monitor headphones utilising a high impedance rating; the DA-10 will power them comfortably without compromise. A gain switch is mounted to the side of the DA-10, which lets you adjust the output stage's gain in order to precisely match the needs of your premium headphone of choice. A fixed output option is also integrated within the unit, should you wish to use the DAC within an external audio system

Within the elegant and aesthetically pleasing aluminium chassis is an example of Denon's expertise in audio playback technology. The DA-10 utilises a state-of-the-art, reference level Burr-Brown PCM-1795 32-bit, high resolution Digital Analogue Converter chip, and will handle multiple sample rates all the way up to 192kHz and bit depths up to 21bits. This exceptional DAC will also handle DSD audio tracks (the type found on SACDs), and features the ability to decode 2.8 and 5.6 MHz DSD files.

The DA-10 is compatible with most smartphones on the market and includes a USB 30-pin cable for older generation Apple cables. Lightning cable is compatible with newer Apple devices, such as iPhone 5 and 6, iPad Air, and other models that are equipped with the Lighting connector. There's also a USB-micro "B" connector for compatibility with other smart devices, and we also include a 3.5mm-3.5mm stereo analogue cable for connection to a player's headphone output, and the cable features L-shaped plugs for the most secure connection.

When connected to a portable player via the 3.5mm port, the battery life can be up to 24 hours. Recharge time can be as short as 3.5 hours, when connected to a USB charger with 1.5A output.