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IDEON Audio IΩN DAC & Pre-Amp

IDEON Audio IΩN DAC & Pre-Amp

Breakthrough technology from the Absolute Series: re discover your music

The Ideon Audio IΩN (ION) DAC, with optional analog preamplifier utilizing trickle-down technologies and R&D gained, from our extensive work with our flagship Absolute Epsilon DAC.

Most of the Epsilon DAC’s innovations and designs are found in the IΩN in its own scale. As with all Ideon offerings, the IΩN DAC is a fully proprietary design, with audio technologies developed in-house.

A bespoke handcrafted product housing an innovative combination of high-performance design features and best-of-breed quality components.

HyperStream, 8-channels architecture with proprietary, cutting-edge analog stage
  • High output impedance at -120 dB SNR, quad current output from DAC
  • Cutting edge analog stage, with symmetrical ultra-low noise power supply – in a unique topology
  • Ultra low-noise power through, more than 10 different separate power regulators in the circuit.
  • Direct coupled output with no capacitors in the output stage.
  • In-House fully balanced design throughout
  • The sonic result re defines digital audio playback potential, bringing you directly to the heart of music with a breath-taking sense of naturalness and presence.

Manufacturer’s website Ideon Audio

IDEON Audio IΩN DAC & Pre-Amp Specifications:

  • N DAC
    • Cutting edge analog stage, with symmetrical ultra-low noise power supply – a unique topology not found in any other DACs.
    • High output impedance at -120 dB SNR, quad current output from DAC.
    • Two, zero-noise active bridges – an innovative design bringing noise from rectification to zero – another proprietary technology not available from other DAC brands.
    • Specially designed bespoke transformer with extreme core.
    • Upgradable DAC and USB input engine.
    • New in-house developed dedicated software for the ESS 9028PRO DAC chip (same as the Absolute E DAC). The upgradable chip firmware is developed by Ideon Audio in close cooperation with ESS.
    • Native support and playback for all DSD and PCM formats/frequency rates
    • Proprietary Triple Distillation USB input: Noise Elimination. Conceived and designed in-house, the Ideon Audio Triple Distillation USB input (same as the Absolute’s Ε DAC) is a proprietary three-stage noise eradication circuit eliminating digital noise from the input signal. We have declared war on linear & non-linear distortion and noise!
    • New audio USB codec: ESS ES9080APRO (also in the Absolute ε DAC) used in our USB input module. A proprietary design deployed in our DAC. It’s the most current, state-of-the-art technology, with new codes reflecting today’s standards in comparison with similar 10-year-old chips/technologies, most often used. In close cooperation with ESS, a custom firmware was developed specifically for our USB input engine, to implement our design principles. The result; amazing, practically zero jitter, extremely low noise, super-fast processing, and extraordinary, natural sound quality.
    • A customized USB Audio 2.0 audio class driver developed for Windows. It’s optimized for low latency and low CPU load. Buffer depths can be adjusted to optimize settings for any given computer. The driver implements a transparent (bit-perfect) playback.
  • N+ Pre-Amp section (Optional)
    • In-house fully balanced design throughout.
    • In-house, ultra-low noise linear power supply.
    • Two balanced inputs
    • Gain range from -111.5dB to +15.5dB
    • Dynamic range 121 dB configuration
    • 0.0002% THD in balanced mono configuratio
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SUPPORTED FORMATS (INPUT DEPENDENT)44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 32 bits , Native DSD (up to 8X DSD)
DIGITAL INPUTS3x Advanced isolated input module slots (USB, BNC, RCA)
XLR BALANCED OUTPUTS8.4Vrms at 0dB
RCA OUTPUTSRCA OUTPUTS 4.2Vrms at 0dB
THD (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ)< – 110dB on all outputs
CHANNEL SEPARATION>130dB on all outputs
SNR (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ)>122dB on all outputs
DYNAMIC RANGE20HZ TO 20KHZ 135 dB (FS) . 132 dB (AFS)
DISPLAYCustom discrete LED audio clock synchronous display
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)460 x 300 x 90 mm (18.1 x 11.8 x 3.5 in)
WEIGHT13kg (~28 lbs)
TOPOLOGYFull Balanced Design
ANALOG INPUTS2x Balanced (XLR & RCA)
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE40 ohms
GAIN RANGE-111.5dB to +15.5dB
DYNAMIC RANGE121 dB configuration
CHANNEL SEPARATION>130dB on all outputs
ULTRA-LOW NOISE1.1 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz
ULTRA-LOW DISTORTION0.000015% at 1 kHz
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)460 x 300 x 90 mm (18.1 x 11.8 x 3.5 in)
WEIGHT13kg (~28 lbs)
Please see reviews below:

https://ideonaudio.com/reviews/

IDEON Audio ION DAC review in “Australian Hi-Fi” Magazine, April / May 2025.
Complete review at Here

IDEON Audio ION DAC review by ” Audio Esoterica ” Magazine, November 2024
Review HERE


IDEON Audio ION DAC review in “Hi-Fi Plus” Magazine, August 2024.
Complete review at HERE