DAC, Products

IDEON Audio – Absolute Epsilon DAC

IDEON Audio – Absolute DAC

An Absolute revelation: bringing Music to life

With its future-proof modular construction, built to the highest standards, the Ideon Audio Absolute DAC encapsulates what is the state of the art in digital conversion, re-clocking, signal regeneration, internal and noise elimination, linear & non-linear distortion elimination, modular board isolation, and extreme components quality not often available elsewhere.
The heart of digital playback, transports you to the musical event itself.

HyperStream, 8-channels architecture

The highest performing DAC to date, sets a new benchmark for audio excellence with the industry’s highest dynamic range (DNR), up to 140dB, in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC.
Unique 15ohm output impedance at -140dB SNR or 1W
Discreet power through 16 separate power regulators in the circuit. Direct coupled output with no capacitors in the output stage.
The finest details contained in the recording, come to the surface in a phase-correct manner, allowing the musical event to emerge complete.
The sonic result is no longer a lossy simulation requiring brainpower to cover for what is not there: you “are there”.

Proprietary Triple Distillation USB input: Noise Elimination

Conceived and designed in-house, the Ideon Audio Triple Distillation USB input comprises a proprietary three-stage noise eradication circuit that eliminates digital noise from the input signal.

Figuratively speaking, we have declared war on linear & non-linear distortion and noise!

Future proof – modular construction

Today, the Absolute DAC is state of the art in terms of design, construction and sonic performance.

Of course, if or when a new technology becomes available or a new format takes over, the Absolute’s modular construction ensures that it will be updated without fail.

Manufacturer’s website Ideon Audio

Description

IDEON Audio Absolute DAC Specifications:

New, in-house developed dedicated software for the ES9038PRO DAC chip
Balanced operation, balanced and single ended outputs
Ideon Audio’s Proprietary triple distillation USB input and S/PDIF input
Three new zero-noise, proprietary active bridges – an ultra high-end design that takes to zero the noise from rectification. A unique Absolute ε technology
Next generation analog stage, with symmetrical, ultra-low-noise power supplies. Another unique Absolute ε technology
Extreme Ideon Audio linear power supply configuration with many different local power supplies and dual, exceptionally large main power supplies.
Selected audiophile components throughout
Two main bespoke transformers with extreme cores, running, running at more than 3 times the necessary current. Custom hand-made for audio applications
ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit 8 channel, Hyperstream Dac
Industry’s highest dynamic range (DNR), up to 140dB
Three of the most exotic, ultra-low jitter clocks

SUPPORTED FORMATS (INPUT DEPENDENT)	44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 32 bits , Native DSD (up to 8X DSD)
DIGITAL INPUTS	3x Advanced isolated input module slots (USB, XLR, RCA)
XLR BALANCED OUTPUTS	9Vrms at 0dB
RCA OUTPUTS	RCA OUTPUTS 4.5Vrms at 0dB
THD (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ)	< – 120dB on all outputs
CHANNEL SEPARATION	>130dB on all outputs
SNR (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ)	>130dB on all outputs
DYNAMIC RANGE	20HZ TO 20KHZ 147 dB (FS) . 145 dB (AFS)
DISPLAY	Custom discrete LED audio clock synchronous display
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)	490 x 350 x 110 mm (19.2 x 13.7 x 4.3 in).
WEIGHT	28kg (~65 lbs)

Please see reviews below:

IDEON Audio Absolute Epsilon DAC / Stream / Time review in
“Part-Time Audiophile” Online Magazine, March 2024
Complete review at https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2024/03/03/ideon-audio-absolute-digital-suite-review/