Vincent DAC-700 Tube DAC Silver

The Vincent DAC-700 is a high-end D/A converter with a switchable tube and transistor output stage and its own headphone amplifier.

This is the flagship of the Vincent converter range – and the only one where you choose the sound character at the push of a button: warm tube glow or precise transistor strength, depending on mood and recording.

Why the DAC-700?

At its core is an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M converter. After that, the signal path splits into two completely independent, fully balanced output stages: one with two 12AU7 tubes, one in transistor technology. A switch lets you decide which one is playing. Via USB, the DAC-700 accepts files up to 32-bit / 384 kHz and DSD up to DSD512; via optical and coaxial up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. A total of six digital inputs are on offer.

What you get

Maximum flexibility. Two sound worlds in one device, plus a dedicated headphone amplifier with its own 6.3 mm output and level control on the front. Output to your system runs via RCA or balanced XLR. From a PC (USB) through a CD transport (optical/coaxial) to studio gear (AES/EBU), practically any digital source finds a connection.

Who is the DAC-700 suited for?

For anyone who wants to cleanly bundle many digital sources, likes choosing between tube and transistor sound, and also wants proper headphone listening. Honestly: the DAC-700 has no Bluetooth and no volume control for the line outputs (only the headphone section has a level control) – it's a converter, not a preamplifier. It doesn't bring its own streaming services; those come via a streamer fed into it.

Our verdict

The DAC-700 is the Swiss Army knife among Vincent converters: two switchable output stages, a genuine headphone amp and resolution up to DSD512 over USB. If you value flexibility and headphone use, there's a lot of device here for the money. Specialist magazines such as fairaudio and i-fidelity.net have tested it in depth. Not sure whether it suits your chain? Call us on 044 680 22 00, write on WhatsApp to 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or drop by in Wädenswil – we're happy to advise you.

Technical Data

• Type: D/A converter with switchable tube/transistor output stage and headphone amplifier
• Converter chip: ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M
• Tube complement: 2 × 12AU7, 1 × 6Z4
• Sample rate USB: PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, DSD up to DSD512
• Sample rate optical/coaxial: PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, DSD64
• Playable formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, ALAC, FLAC, APE, WAV, DSD
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion: below 0.004%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: above 95 dB
• Dynamic range: above 100 dB
• Channel separation: above 90 dB
• Audio output voltage: 2.5 V
• Output impedance: 600 ohms
• Digital inputs: 1 × USB, 2 × optical, 2 × coaxial, 1 × AES/EBU, 1 × power control (3.5 mm)
• Outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × stereo XLR (balanced), 1 × headphone 6.3 mm, 1 × power control (3.5 mm)
• Max. power consumption: 35 watts
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 95 × 360 mm
• Weight: 6.9 kg
• Colour: Silver
• What's included: Vincent DAC-700, remote control, power cable, RCA cable, USB cable, Toslink cable, trigger cable, user manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose between tube and transistor on the DAC-700?
Yes. The DAC-700 has two independent output stages – one with two 12AU7 tubes, one in transistor technology – and you switch between them with a button. That lets you choose warmer tube sound or more neutral transistor precision depending on the recording and your mood.

What resolution does the Vincent DAC-700 handle?
Via USB up to 32-bit / 384 kHz plus DSD up to DSD512; via optical and coaxial up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. That lets you play high-resolution files and DSD albums in full quality, regardless of whether the source is a computer, streamer or CD transport.

Does the DAC-700 have a headphone output?
Yes, with its own amplifier section. A 6.3 mm output with its own level control sits on the front, so you can listen with focus and headroom even without the big system. That makes the DAC-700 a full-fledged headphone hub as well.

Does the DAC-700 have Bluetooth?
No. The DAC-700 accepts digital signals via USB, twice optical, twice coaxial and AES/EBU – wired and low in interference. For wireless streaming, feed it from a source such as a network streamer.

Why buy the Vincent DAC-700 from HD Zürisee?
Because we show you how to really use its versatility – from choosing the output stage to headphone and amplifier integration. As an experienced team, we've known Vincent for many years, and our own technician takes care of service and installation.

Goes well with

Connected to your system, the DAC-700 pairs with a matching Vincent amplifier, ideally cabled in balanced mode. For headphone use, you'll find the right match in our Headphones, and the right Cables come right along with it.