Bel Canto – E1X DS1 Streaming DAC/PRE

The E1X DS1 combines the finest quality DAC, Steaming and precision preamplifier control in a component that allows you to select between the highest quality streaming providers or digital sources. The chassis is constructed in an E1X all aluminum constrained layer chassis. The E1X DS1 Control Preamp marks entry into the E1X line of DAC/ Preamplifiers that combines our high-resolution DAC, streamer, with multiple digital inputs in a slim easily placed chassis for music lovers who want an uncomplicated, uncompromised, and exhilarating home audio experience. The E1X sonic characteristic emphasizes realistic and compelling musical expression.

The attention to detail is founded in component selection and signal path layout drawn from years of electronic design experience that optimizes both analog and digital system performance. Each input travels an expertly placed circuit path, providing noise rejection and signal optimization along with advanced custom time optimized filters that reduce sonic blur and increase clarity and dynamic impact. The DS1 offers 2 filter choices managed through the main menu. The Standard filter comes from the factory and provides excellent sonic balance; the Fast filter focuses the audio image with slightly higher upper frequency and tighter bass. The choice is yours.

Incredible audio performance, features and flexibility

• Class Leading 126dB Dynamic Range

• 24 Bit Volume Control

• Ethernet Streaming Input

• AES/SPDIF/Optical Digital Inputs

• High Current Headphone Output Driver

• Remote Control

The E1X DAC is designed to manage the complexity of all audio sources and control functions with ease and efficiency. The volume and system functions are controlled by manually pressing and rotating the control dial on the front of the unit, using the IR custom remote control, or with your iPhone/iPad and the custom iOS SEEK app. The E1X DS1 is also a Roon end point giving you the option to subscribe to Roon for network streaming to the Bel Canto platform. The fully programmable display is easy to read and illuminates system status indicating source and volume with auto off function when not in use. It also displays all programming functions.

All source inputs are asynchronously re-clocked into the fully balanced advanced segment DAC measuring below 0.001% distortion and 126dB of dynamic range. By stripping away the source clock and using Bel Canto’s custom Ultra Low Noise master clock circuitry we eliminate jitter and data related distortion, preserving the delicate audio signal.

Asynchronous ethernet connects you to the most compelling musical source available today. Bel Canto’s proprietary asynchronous ethernet provides the highest level of performance for high resolution files up to 24bits at 192ks/s, MQA, and DSD64. This allows you to connect to a variety of subscription streaming services or sources from your personal library that is stored on a NAS (networked attached storage) drive, all providing full server function with complete iOS wireless control using our SEEK control app. Android users can use the MConnect app.

Asynchronous Digital SPDIF AES, RCA and Toslink inputs all operate at 24/192Ks. MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information. The MQA logo is a trade mark of MQA Limited. © MQA Limited 2017

RS232 is designed to support easy integration with sophisticated whole house control systems. The line level analog input also can be programmed to gain match your analog sources and achieve the best performance from all analog sources. The line output can be connected to a powered subwoofer.

The front mounted headphone jack opens high quality sound for your favorite headphones. Plug in your headphones and the E1X DS1 configures itself into a superb headphone amplifier with a buffer stage that can confidently drive 32 ohms. Control the output level using the main control, allowing you to select the headphone or main speaker output while leaving the headphones in place.

The control menu also has a ‘maximum volume’ setting. This allows you to set the max volume at any level you prefer and ensures no one can inadvertently increase the volume using an App volume control or the remote and do damage to your speakers. The Max volume can be changed at any time and comes from the factory set at 85.

The Ethernet connection on the rear panel allows you to update your unit firmware to the current specification at any time the unit is connected to the internet. This can be checked through the menu by the user. If there is an update you will be given the choice to complete the upgrade ensuring that your unit is always up-to-date or decline the update and perform it at another time. If you choose to complete the update the unit will display the latest software Rev’s on the display and let you know when it is completed. The unit will reset itself (you do not have to power cycle the unit) and be ready to play after completion.

E1X DAC Technology

Rendering high levels of definition and musicality. It is the culmination of more than 20 years of audio DAC design evolution. With the HDR-II Core we have improved the dynamic range, analog output stage design and digital filters while reducing spurious signal generation and jitter related errors. Our new HDR-II Core has demonstrated that we can increase the resolution of musical detail, and improve listenability and perceived quality of the recorded music. This is in contrast where ‘transparent’ and ‘revealing’ often means ‘bright’. The HDR-II Core presents the original music with high levels of clarity and emotion. Our HDR-II Core starts with a deliberate and careful choice of DAC technology. This choice defines the ultimate achievable performance and is defined by several key specifications. Our research has directed us to the best DAC technology, confirmed through extensive testing and listening.

Bel Canto chooses the most refined CMOS digital to analog processor to provide superior dynamic range through extremely low noise, distortion and jitter sensitivity. The analog output section takes best advantage of the underlying CMOS technology to achieve the highest levels of analog purity and uncompromised performance. This Advanced Segment Technology DAC combines both multi-bit and multi-bit delta-sigma technology to deliver superb performance with a dynamic range of 132dB and transparent linear-phase digital filters. The CMOS analog conversion operates in a Constant Voltage, Class A Differential Current mode for minimal distortion and best analog performance. Through detailed FFT analysis we characterize DAC performance over the complete dynamic range, ensuring that the DAC analog outputs behave in a true analog fashion. As with the best analog circuitry our DAC technology exhibits diminishing levels of distortion and spurious signals at lower output levels where most of the audio signals live. Our HDR-II Core analog behavior is contrasted in the following figures with an increasingly popular DAC technology that looks good on paper but does not deliver true analog purity over the audio dynamic range.