DAC - VUMETRE (ENGLISH)

B.Audio Alpha One

DAC, B.AUDIO, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Founded in 2016, B.Audio is still run from Saint-Hippolyte by Sébastien and Cédric Bermann. After making a name for itself with its very first DAC, the Haut-Rhin-based manufacturer expanded its product line by creating a more affordable series called One, which included a DAC that could be paired with a preamp section and a network card, followed by a power amplifier. Today, the combination of these devices makes it possible to introduce a groundbreaking all-in-one unit—a combination of a DAC, preamplifier, and network player with an amplification section—to create the B.Audio Alpha One. Self-contained, this device simply needs to be connected to a pair of speakers to enjoy its full finesse and purity of sound.

KORA CD140

KORA, DAC, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Is a beautiful, brand-new CD player in 2024 a reasonable purchase? Absolutely. Because although streaming has made enormous progress since its inception, it’s good to vary your pleasures, and using different sources (LP, CD, SACD, streaming, etc.) allows you to alternate between complementary sound experiences. So let’s give a warm welcome to this new player, the Kora CD140, with its truly original pedigree.

AURENDER A20

AURENDER, DAC, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

With this high-end network player from Aurender, dematerialisation becomes a reality for even the most demanding audiophiles. The flagship model, the Aurender A20, incorporates a digital player, converter, preamplifier and headphone output, making it a stand-alone device for listening to the best Hi-Res audio streams. It can even be equipped with internal storage discs for completely offline access to your favourite works.

LINDEMANN Musicbook Source 2

NETWORK PLAYER, DAC, LINDEMANN, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Lindemann’s Musicbook family is designed to replace all or part of the various components in a hi-fi system. It comprises four items of equipment, including two power units, an all-in-one and a DAC streamer preamplifier. It is this last piece of equipment, of very high quality and impeccable finish, like all the other elements in this family, that interests us here: the Lindemann Musicbook Source 2.

EERA Minuetto: Competitive and Performant

TESTS, DAC, EERA, MANUFACTURER, TYPES

The latest addition to the EERA range, the EERA Minuetto is largely based on its predecessor, the Andante. Its rich connectivity and large display show at all times the input currently in use, along with the specific characteristics of the digital stream being processed. The main change is in the DAC itself.

OCTAVIO Stream: The French Eco Friendly DAC

DAC, MANUFACTURER, OCTAVIO, TESTS, TYPES

A network player made in France? That was enough to intrigue us. Because while our teams are fond of high-end DACs, exceptional CD transports and high-resolution portable music players, we are above all driven by a passion for beautiful sound. Octavio, a young French start-up that also intends to make its mark thanks to Octavio Stream, no doubt shares this passion. So here we have a well-designed, well-thought-out audiophile network player that we couldn’t wait to try out!

CHORD Dave

DAC, CHORD, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

The best DAC from Chord Electronics, the Chord Dave tops the range with a look that's still very personal, but an indisputably remarkable musical result, among the finest and most precise available. Thanks to its all-FPGA structure and extremely high-performance noise...

SPL Diamond

DAC, MANUFACTURER, SPL AUDIO, TESTS, TYPES

With the SPL Diamond, the hifi brand presents us with a DAC derived from its productions for the professional world. It is sure to appeal to the most demanding audiophiles who are fans of digital sources.