Gato Audio SDA-1 NPM DAC & Network Player, Black High Gloss

The Gato Audio SDA-1 NPM is a D/A converter with a factory-fitted network player, balanced headphone amplifier and preamplifier from the Danish manufacturer Gato Audio.

It's the SDA-1, with Gato's NPM-2 streaming module built in from the factory. That makes it a complete digital hub: it streams from your network, converts to analogue via an ESS9038PRO Sabre chip and outputs to your system, directly to a power amplifier, or to headphones. Four jobs in one chassis: network player, DAC, headphone amplifier and preamplifier. Supplied as a single unit.

Why the Gato Audio SDA-1 NPM?

Because it brings streaming and conversion together at the same high level. The built-in NPM-2 module makes it Roon Ready and brings Tidal and Spotify Connect, Qobuz, internet radio and LDAC Bluetooth – over Wi-Fi or LAN, with no extra device needed. At the heart of the conversion is the ESS9038PRO, the same Sabre chip found in the most expensive DACs, paired with a highly precise femto clock, seven low-noise voltage regulators and separate power supplies for the analogue and digital sections. The output is fully balanced and built with discrete circuitry, with volume controlled in the analogue domain – either fixed (as a pure source) or variable, in which case the SDA-1 NPM drives a power amplifier directly, with no separate preamp needed. Designed and built in Copenhagen.

What you'll hear

A wealth of detail without harshness – the signature of a well-executed Sabre DAC, whether the music comes from the network, the USB input or the optical connection. The SDA-1 NPM resolves finely, keeps the background quiet (117 dB signal-to-noise ratio, 0.002 % distortion) and stays musical rather than analytical. Through headphones it gets intimate: the balanced output delivers up to 3 W at 33 Ω, driving even demanding over-ears with ease, while the unbalanced 6.3 mm output covers everyday listening. Whether through your system or straight to your ears, the soundstage stays clean and voices remain tangible.

Who is the SDA-1 NPM for – and who isn't it for?

Straight talk: the SDA-1 NPM is for anyone who wants to stream from day one and also wants a first-class digital source with a serious headphone output – with the preamp taken care of too. One unit that replaces the network player, the DAC and the preamp. If you're certain you'll never stream and already own a high-quality preamp, the cheaper base SDA-1 is enough. And if you listen exclusively to vinyl, you don't need it: the SDA-1 NPM is the digital hub, not the analogue one.

Which streaming services does the SDA-1 NPM support?

It's Roon Ready and plays Tidal and Spotify Connect, Qobuz and internet radio; via Bluetooth with LDAC, your phone joins in at high quality too. The connection runs over Wi-Fi or wired LAN. We're happy to discuss with you which platform best suits your library.

Our verdict

A versatile Danish Sabre streamer that combines a network player, reference DAC, headphone seriousness and preamp convenience in a very quiet chassis. Want to know whether the SDA-1 NPM fits your chain? Tell us which sources, headphones and power amplifiers you're running – we at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil will advise you on configuration (fixed or variable, filter choice, network setup) and set it up properly during installation.

Technical data – Gato Audio SDA-1 NPM

• Type: D/A converter with network player, headphone amplifier & preamplifier
• Streaming: NPM-2 module (factory-fitted) – Roon Ready, Tidal/Spotify Connect, Qobuz, internet radio, LDAC Bluetooth, Wi-Fi/LAN
• DAC chip: ESS9038PRO (SABRE), femto clock, 7 low-noise voltage regulators
• Supported formats: PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD up to DSD256, MQA (USB); optical/coaxial up to 24-bit/192 kHz
• Output level (0 dB, digital source): 2.2 V unbalanced / 4.4 V balanced
• Max. output level (analogue source): 7 V unbalanced / 11 V balanced
• Line output: fixed or variable (variable drives a power amplifier directly)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (−0.3 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.002 %
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 117 dB (A-weighted)
• Digital filters: 7 selectable PCM oversampling filters, 4 DSD IIR filters
• Input gain: −10 to +10 dB per input, in 0.5 dB steps
• Digital inputs: 1× USB-B, 2× optical (Toslink), 2× coaxial (S/PDIF, gold-plated RCA), 1× network (RJ45) for streaming
• Analogue input: 1× RCA pair (line, gold-plated), max. 8 V
• Analogue outputs: 1× RCA pair + 1× XLR pair (Neutrik), gold-plated
• Headphone outputs: 6.3 mm jack (unbalanced) + 4-pin XLR (balanced), each with volume control
• Headphone output impedance: 1 Ω
• Headphone power (unbalanced): 1 W @ 33 Ω, 600 mW @ 50 Ω, 420 mW @ 100 Ω, 200 mW @ 300 Ω, 120 mW @ 600 Ω
• Headphone power (balanced): 3 W @ 33 Ω, 2.8 W @ 50 Ω, 1.9 W @ 100 Ω, 850 mW @ 300 Ω, 460 mW @ 600 Ω
• Trigger: 12 V in + out (mini-jack)
• Remote control: RC-7 (infrared)
• Power supply: 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: standby < 1 W, idle 30 W, max. 60 W
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 32.5 × 10.5 × 39.6 cm
• Weight: 10 kg
• Finish: Black High Gloss
• Origin: designed and built in Copenhagen, Denmark
• Scope of delivery: SDA-1 NPM, power cable, RC-7 remote control, CR2032 battery, manual

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the SDA-1 NPM and the standard SDA-1?

The SDA-1 NPM has the NPM-2 network streaming module already built in at the factory – so it's a fully-fledged network player. The base SDA-1 only plays over USB, optical, coaxial and the analogue input, and can be upgraded later. If you want to stream from the start, the NPM is cheaper and simpler.

Which streaming services and formats does it support?

It's Roon Ready and brings Tidal and Spotify Connect, Qobuz, internet radio and LDAC Bluetooth over Wi-Fi or LAN. Over USB it handles PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD up to DSD256 and MQA; the optical and coaxial inputs accept PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Seven selectable PCM filters and four DSD filters fine-tune the sound.

Do I need a separate preamplifier for the SDA-1 NPM?

No. It has a fully balanced, analogue-controlled volume and, with variable output, can drive a power amplifier directly – the preamplifier is built in. If you want to run it as a pure source into an existing preamp, simply set the output to a fixed level.

Does the headphone amplifier drive demanding headphones too?

Yes. The balanced output delivers up to 3 W at 33 Ω, and still 850 mW at 300 Ω – enough for the vast majority of hi-fi headphones, including many planar magnetics. Output impedance is a low 1 Ω, and each output has its own discrete MOSFET amplifier with analogue volume control.

What finishes is the SDA-1 NPM available in?

In Black, White and Walnut (real wood veneer), each with a high-gloss lid, and on request in an individual custom colour finish. That way it matches your other components or your living space. Gato produces the custom colour finish to order.

Why buy the Gato Audio SDA-1 NPM at HD Zürisee?

Because a streaming DAC in this class only really comes into its own in the right setup – properly integrated into your network, configured fixed or variable, with a matching power amplifier or active speakers and the right headphones. Here in Wädenswil, we set up Roon and the services, work out the configuration for your system, and install everything with our own technician.

Goes well with: the right power amplifiers, high-quality floorstanding speakers and the right cables to connect them.