KO-DSDAC100M

Korg DS-DAC-100m USB DAC

Contact us for price / availability $299.00

Music, the way it was meant to be heard. The Korg DS-DAC-100m USB DAC provides the best possible listening experience in a portable, aesthetically pleasing unit. Approximately the same size as a portable hard disk, the DS-DAC100m packs essentially the same circuitry as the upper-level model DS-DAC-100, providing a compact version of this high-quality audio playback system featuring the same great sound as the DS-DAC100.

Type: DACs

VIDEO
FEATURES
TECH SPECS
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Korg DS-DAC-100m PRODUCT FEATURES:
"AudioGate 3" and "DS-DAC series" --- the simplest high-quality audio playback system

Simply connect the DS-DAC-100/100m to your computer via USB cable, and you have a high-quality audio playback system. The system consists of AudioGate 3 software that plays back audio material from your computer with the best possible quality, together with the DS-DAC-100/100m which converts the data from AudioGate 3 into an analog signal for playback through your headphones or speaker system. When it comes to high-quality playback of computer audio, the software and hardware are equally important; if either is lacking, you can't expect optimal audio quality. With its long history of developing both software and hardware that meets professional demands for quality, KORG was uniquely able to create this ideal music playback environment.

Realtime DSD conversion for ideal sound

Accurate real-time DSD-analog conversion is the secret to high-quality audio playback through headphones or your high-end audio system. Audio files such as MP3 and WAV from your computer (even a CD!) can be converted to 5.6448 MHz/DSD data in real time and played back by the dedicated AudioGate 3 software. Since conversion to ultra-high quality DSD data is impractical for stand-alone hardware due to the enormous amount of processing power that is required, the power of your computer is used to perform this task, extracting the maximum information from the musical source before sending it to the DAC. The DS-DAC-100/100m, takes the audio optimally designed for DSD, then converts the data to an analog signal for the ideal audio playback scenario. You might even start hearing new details in your familiar CD or MP3 collection that had previously been hidden in the mix.

DSD native playback of 2.8224 MHz and 5.6448 MHz DSD files

KORG was among the first audio companies to focus on the high sound quality benefits of DSD, using DSD as the recording format for the highly acclaimed MR series of studio and field recorders. Now that major music distribution sites such as Blue Coast Records and Channel Classic Records have started distributing data in the DSD format, and major audio manufacturers have also started to release USB DAC units, the DSD format has become acknowledged by audio fans as a synonym for the utmost in high-quality playback. The quality of this DSD data is fully realized by the "DSD native playback of DSD data" offered via these USB DAC units, the DS-DAC-100/100m. These units support playback not only of 2.8224 MHz DSD data but also the still higher-resolution of 5.6448 MHz, which is even more faithful to the original source.

Pro-quality hardware design

The data is conveyed via "asynchronous transmission," which does not synchronize with the USB clock of the computer, thus allowing high-quality playback with minimal jitter. The power supply section is driven from USB bus power, thus avoiding any noise component that might enter via the power cable, ensuring high quality audio playback. The DA converter uses the CS4398 made by Cirrus Logic, the same reliable and ultra-high-quality component that can be found on the MR series devices. It provides performance equivalent to that of the MR-1000, an acclaimed standard in professional studios and as a field recording device, providing high quality that exceeds other units in its class. In this way, the DS-DAC-100/100m has been designed with painstaking detail and with the highest specifications for every part of the system.

Dedicated driver developed specifically for the DS-DAC-100/100m

The data on the computer must be conveyed to the DS-DAC-100/100m unit with as little loss as possible. KORG has developed native drivers to implement truly native playback of DSD data, where the data is conveyed via the USB cable while still in DSD format and then DA-converted within the converter unit itself. To ensure trouble-free compatibility between the playback software and the DAC, we have taken advantage of our many years of experience with DSD data to create drivers that deliver stable operation and the highest-quality playback on both Windows and Mac. -

Standard software for handling DSD format and other high-quality files

Born as an audio format conversion application, AudioGate was originally developed to convert recordings made on KORG's MR Series recorders, then manage and play them on computers. Now that it can be freely downloaded without the need to use a Twitter account for authentication, its wide support for file compatibility has made it a favorite application for handling high-quality audio files on a computer. Today, it has grown beyond its origin as KORG's bundled software, and has earned the support of many users around the world. AudioGate 3 has been completely updated; adding numerous functions and also heightening interoperation with KORG's DS-DAC series. It has been reborn as the software at the core of KORG's audio solution: "AudioGate - The Complete Path to Audio Purity ---"

A fresh new user interface for improved usability

Released as version 3 at the same time as the DS-DAC-100/100m, the AudioGate 3 application that was originally an audio format conversion program, now features a dramatically revised user interface designed for ease of use as a music player. Here are some of the most important functions that have been added in this version.
New user interface.

The size of the player screen can be adjusted. Full-screen display (*1) is also supported.

(*1) Mac OS X 10.7 or later
"Album," "Artist," and "Genre" have been added to the play list. Sorting is supported.
iTunes songs can be imported.
Improved visualization with cover art and waveform display.
In addition, your choice of background can be easily selected from several provided images

Support for editing "album artist," "track number," and "disc number" (*2)
(*2) Supported items will differ according to the audio format.
Master volume has been added
Playback volume adjustment function has been added
High-quality/Low-load has been added for file conversion
AudioGate 3 supports playback for a wide range of audio formats
AudioGate 3 supports a wide range of file formats, starting with MP3, AAC, and 44.1/48 kHz WAV as well as high-resolution formats such as 24 bit (96/192 kHz) WAV and FLAC, in addition, of course, to DSD. It can handle play lists that contain mixed bit resolutions, sample rates and even different file formats. In addition to the DAC itself, the hardware USB DAC requires software that manages and plays the audio files. Although the software has a major influence on the audio quality and the usability of the system, previous products have typically used software developed by other companies, or even freeware. The KORG AudioGate 3* software plays this role for the DS-DAC series. Setup is easy, and there are no worries about compatibility. With KORG AudioGate 3 you can experience the finest in DSD sound.

*After downloading AudioGate 3, connect the DS-DAC-100/100m or MR series unit and perform license verification so that you can use the software as a licensed version.

An "AudioGate 3 Lite version" optimized for playing various types of audio data is newly available for free downloading without any requirement to authenticate via Twitter. It's the ideal simple player for customers who are just getting started with DSD, and is also a great way to obtain a trial version of AudioGate 3 for customers who have been using the free AudioGate V2 software.

The lite version can be upgraded to the full version by connecting a DS-DAC series or MR series unit for license authentication, so you'll be able to smoothly take advantage of the full functionality when you purchase one of these products after trying the lite version. For details on the models supported by the lite version and for more about authentication, refer to the included owner's manual.

DSD playback via the lite version will be converted to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz PCM for playback.
Korg DS-DAC-100m TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Specifications

< DS-DAC-100 >

DA Converter

Cirrus Logic CS4398

Audio Interface

Number of Channels:

2

Input Format (USB):

DSD: 8224MHz/5.6448MHz, 1bit

PCM: 44.1kHz/48kHz/88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz, 16bit/24bit

Host Interface:

USB2.0 (High Speed)

Audio Driver:

ASIO (DSD playback is supported by the DSD option of ASIO 2.1 and later), WDM, Core Audio

General

Indicator:

Power indicator x 2 (LED), Sampling frequency indicator x 8 (LED)

Power:

USB bus power (5V, Max: 500mA)

Power Consumption:

Max: 2.5W

Dimensions:

207 (W) x 160 (D) x 60.0 (H) mm / 8.15 (W) x 6.30 (D) x 2.36 (H) inches (including protrusions)

Weight:

862 g / 1.90 lbs.

Main Standards

Frequency Response Characteristics:

10Hz - 20 kHz ±1dB (fs=44.1kHz/48kHz)

10Hz - 40 kHz ±1dB

S/N:

105dB (TYP.) 20Hz - 20kHz, IHF-A

THD+N:

0.005% (TYP.) 20Hz - 20kHz

Line Out L/R

Connector:

RCA pin Jack (unbalanced) / XLR (balanced)

Load Impedance:

More than 10kohm

Nominal Level:

-6dBV

Maximum Level:

+6dBV (0dBFS 0dB-SACD)

Phones

Connector:

f6.3mm stereo phone jack

Load Impedance:

More than 16ohm

Maximum Level:

85mW + 85mW @32ohm

USB (Device)

Connector:

Type B

Format:

USB 2.0 compliant high-speed

Accessories:

USB cable, Spike mount x3

< DS-DAC-100m >

DA Converter

Cirrus Logic CS4398

Audio Interface

Number of Channels:

2

Input Format (USB):

DSD: 2.8224MHz/5.6448MHz, 1bit

PCM: 44.1kHz/48kHz/88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz, 16 bit/24 bit

Host Interface:

USB2.0 (High Speed)

Audio Driver:

ASIO (DSD playback is supported by the DSD option of ASIO 2.1 and later), WDM, Core Audio

General

Indicator:

Power indicator x 1(LED), Sampling frequency/Headphone volume indicator x 8 (LED)

Power:

USB bus power (5V, Max: 500mA)

Power Consumption:

Max: 2.5W

Dimensions:

92 (W) x 129 (D) x 20 (H) mm / 3.62 (W) x 5.08 (D) x 0.79 (H) inches (including protrusions)

Weight:

175g / 0.39lbs.

Main Standards

Frequency Response Characteristics:

10Hz - 20kHz ±1dB (fs=44.1kHz/48kHz)

10Hz - 40kHz ±1dB

S/N:

105dB (TYP.) 20 Hz - 20kHz, IHF-A

THD+N:

0.005% (TYP.) 20 Hz - 20kHz

Line Out L/R

Connector:

f3.5 mm stereo mini phone Jack

Load Impedance:

More than 10kohm

Nominal Level:

-6dBV

Maximum Level:

+6dBV (0dBFS 0dB-SACD)

Phones

Connector:

f3.5mm stereo mini phone Jack

Load Impedance:

More than 16ohm

Maximum Level:

85mW + 85mW @32ohm

USB (Device)

Connector:

Type mini B

Format:

USB 2.0 compliant high-speed

Accessories:

USB cable
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Operating requirements for DS-DAC-100/100m

[Windows]

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Edition Service Pack 3 (32bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (32bit, 64bit), Microsoft Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit), Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32bit, 64bit)

CPU: Intel Pentium III 1GHz or more (Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz or more is recommended)

RAM: 256MB or more (1GB or more is recommended)

[Macintosh]

OS: Mac OS X 10.6 or later

CPU: Intel processor (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or more is recommended)

RAM: 1GB or more

*For both Windows (ASIO) and Mac, DSD native playback is supported only when using the KORG USB Audio Device Driver.

*The following limitations on operating environment exist as of January 2014, but are expected to be fixed or supported in the future.

- Mac OS X Gatekeeper is not supported.

- In some cases, the system might not operate correctly with USB 3.0. It may be possible to solve the problem by installing the latest USB driver, by connecting to a different USB port, or by using a self-powered USB hub. If the problem remains, please connect the system to a USB 2.0 port.

Operating requirements for AudioGate 3

[Windows]

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Edition Service Pack 3 (32bit), Microsoft Windows

Vista Service Pack 2 (32bit, 64bit), Microsoft Windows 7 (32bit, 64bit), Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32bit,

64bit)

CPU: Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz or more is recommended

RAM: 1GB or more

[Macintosh]

OS: Mac OS X 10.6 or later

CPU: Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or more is recommended

RAM: 1GB or more