In memoriam: Strahinja Caja Petrovic (1961–2026)
Caja was the key person behind most of Audial’s SMD production from 2012 to 2022.
General
Digital
Multichannel or 2-channel USB stage?
In previous years, some of our customers experienced issues connecting S5 and AYA 5 DACs with some USB sources. As it turned out, it was caused by some streamers’ inability to work with more than 2-channel devices.
Amplifiers
Connecting the S5 transformer coupled RCA output to the A21 balanced input
S5 transformer coupled RCA output can also act as a real balanced source, and thus it can be connected to A21 balanced input.
Amplifiers, Digital, General
Remote control unit
Audial remote control is a unique product of this kind, in a machined case. It is also “unified”, in a way the one unit works with all Audial devices supporting remote control operation.
Digital, Technical
“Is I2S better than USB?”
“Will I benefit from adding a DDC (digital to digital converter) and connecting it to S5 or AYA 5 A-link input, instead of using their USB input? Is A-link better than USB?” I am regularly receiving such questions. And here is the reply.
Digital
Recent S5 update
It is almost a year and a half since we started shipping the S5, and this DAC recently got some updates. A bit more information about them is following, and some of the information and photographs of the S5 internals you might find actually premiered here.
General
Current schedule
Audial just moved to a new address, but more was happening recently. And this is the schedule.
Technical
Classic and transformer coupling: System grounding difference
The use of signal coupling transformers requires a somewhat different approach to the system grounding.
Digital
Model S4 is coming
Model S4 comes to show how real audiophile reference USB DAC sounds today. It also includes acclaimed and well known Audial S/PDIF quality input.
Digital, Technical
Back to the roots: 14 bits (of TDA1541A)
By measuring standard low level performance at -60 dBFS (dithered sine wave), there was practically no difference between its regular 16 bit, and this 14 bit “mode” of operation. Noise floor, on the other hand, is somewhat higher, roughly speaking 6-12 dB, and that is what you would expect, given 2 bits difference.