{"product_id":"nuprime-evolution-dac-2-dac-schwarz","title":"NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 D\/A Converter, Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe NuPrime Evolution DAC-2 is a high-end digital-to-analogue converter with a full-fledged preamp that switches between a solid-state and a tube output stage at the push of a button.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat elegantly resolves an old question: DAC or preamp? Both, in one housing. And you choose whether your music runs analytically precise through solid-state or warm and organic through the tube – not both at once, but both at the push of a button. Not a compromise, but freedom of choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Evolution DAC-2?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNuPrime from Taiwan has proven in a short time that brand history is no substitute for engineering skill. The Evolution DAC-2 is their flagship of the source section: dual-mono from chip to transformer, separate power supplies for the analogue and digital sections, FPGA clocking with no jitter compromises.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets it apart from the mass of DACs in this price range is the tube output stage – and it's no gimmick. It's a full-fledged, balanced output with real vacuum tubes, built to the same standard as the solid-state path. If you want to work with focus during the day and simply enjoy music in the evening, you have both options in one device.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eDual-mono ESS9038Q2M:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two of the best DAC chips in the world – one for left, one for right. Channel separation and the silence between the notes benefit directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eSelectable output stage – solid-state or tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid-state for analytical precision, tube for warm musicality. Both at the same technical level – you decide by mood, genre, or speaker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eFPGA volume control with 99 steps:\u003c\/strong\u003e No potentiometer, no noise, no loss of quality. The DAC-2 works as a full-fledged preamp – straight to the power amp, done.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eDSD512 and PCM 768 kHz:\u003c\/strong\u003e The highest that digital playback offers today. For hi-res streaming and music-server setups, the DAC-2 extracts every bit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003e7 digital inputs incl. I2S and AES\/EBU:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB-B, I2S over HDMI, 2× coaxial, 2× optical, AES\/EBU. The I2S input delivers ultra-low jitter with a compatible streamer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eC-core transformers, dual:\u003c\/strong\u003e Separate power supplies for the analogue and digital sections – the least spectacular yet most important component of a device.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Evolution DAC-2 for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who wants to get the maximum out of a digital source and keep the sound character in their own hands – with a preamp on board that shortens the path to the power amp. Ideal for high-resolution streaming, music servers, and demanding power amplifiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHonestly:\u003c\/strong\u003e the I2S input delivers the lowest jitter, but runs over an HDMI cable using NuPrime's own protocol – not to be confused with HDMI ARC. Without a compatible streamer, you use USB-B or AES\/EBU and are still excellently served. If you're just after a simple DAC without a preamp, you're paying here for reserves you don't need.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe recommend the Evolution DAC-2 to anyone who wants to get everything out of the digital source – and still wants to decide the character of the sound themselves. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil have heard it in our reference setup and compared both output stages with the same recording: the difference is audible, easy to place, and neither variant is the weaker one. That's actually rare – it earns its place in the setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDAC chip:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2× ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M (dual-mono)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigital filter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 selectable PCM filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB formats:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCM 32-bit \/ 768 kHz, native DSD512\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoaxial \/ optical:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCM 24-bit \/ 192 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigital inputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB-B, I2S (HDMI), 2× coaxial, 2× optical, AES\/EBU\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalogue outputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput stages:\u003c\/strong\u003e solid-state + tube, switchable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolume control:\u003c\/strong\u003e FPGA-based, lossless, 99 steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.3 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTHD+N:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt; 0.0003 %\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDynamic range:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026gt; 120 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt; 30 W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W × H × D):\u003c\/strong\u003e 430 × 57 × 375 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.2 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHousing:\u003c\/strong\u003e vibration-damping aluminium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evolution DAC-2, infrared remote control, power cord, USB-A-to-USB-B cable, quick guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between solid-state and tube output on the Evolution DAC-2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe solid-state output delivers maximum precision and control – ideal for analytical listening and demanding speakers. The tube output adds an organic warmth that makes voices and acoustic instruments sound especially natural. Both paths are available balanced via XLR and built to the same high standard. You switch via remote control – without interruption, without replugging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I connect the Evolution DAC-2 directly to a power amplifier?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The FPGA volume control with 99 lossless steps makes it a full-fledged preamp. No separate preamp housing, no extra set of cables – fewer links in the signal path, which shows up as a direct sonic benefit in many setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich digital connection delivers the best quality?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe I2S input offers the lowest jitter – provided your streamer supports the NuPrime I2S protocol. Otherwise USB-B is the second choice, with PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD512. AES\/EBU is recommended for professional sources with a balanced digital output.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy the Evolution DAC-2 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause we know it – not just from the datasheet. We've heard it in Wädenswil, compared both output stages, and know what it suits and what it doesn't. Questions about the right cabling, the matching power amp, or the ideal streamer are answered directly by Andy or Maurizio. No call centre, no ticket system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Evolution DAC-2 is a DAC and preamp in one – what it needs is a power amplifier at its level and the right cable in between:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe matching \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/endstufen\"\u003epower amplifier\u003c\/a\u003e or an \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/vollverstarker\"\u003eintegrated amplifier\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/xlr-kabel\"\u003eXLR cables\u003c\/a\u003e – both outputs are XLR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA source of equal standing: \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/streamer\"\u003eStreamer\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore from the series: \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/nuprime\"\u003eNuPrime\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"NuPrime","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989544300880,"sku":"NP-EVODAC2-BLACK","price":3495.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/nuprime-evolution-dac-2-d-a-wandler-schwarz-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1786614123","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en-ch\/products\/nuprime-evolution-dac-2-dac-schwarz","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}