DAC501 - Weiss Engineering (2024)

ACCURATE AND ADJUSTABLE

The DAC501 is not only one of the best digital-to-analog converters available on the market today, offering an accurate and soulful presentation of the audio.

It also includes user-configurable settings, from room EQ and de-essing to crosstalk cancellation, dynamics compensation, loudness control, and even vinyl emulation.

HIGH CONNECTIVITY

The DAC501 comes with digital inputs in numerous formats and has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.

Furthermore, the unit functions as a preamp, headphone amp, and streamer (UPnP/ROON).

The DAC501 also seamlessly integrates with the JPLAY iOS app – you can enjoy your favorite tracks from Qobuz, Tidal, and your local collection, all in one unified library.

There is also a four-channel version available, with “MK2” added to the model name. A standard two-channel unit can be upgraded to the MK2 version. The MK2 has in its 2 channel mode a superior performance compared to the standard DAC501.
A description of the MK2 version can be downloaded from here.

DAC501 PRODUCT COMPARISON

The DAC501 and DAC502 are identical, apart from the latter using a larger enclosure and an additional 4-pin headphone socket at the back of the unit. Both models are offered in aluminum or black finishes.

The DAC501 includes all the audio processing features of the DSP501 — so one could view the latter unit as a DAC501 without the D/A conversion.

PURIST SIGNAL path

To achieve its exceptional performance specifications, the DAC501 uses dual 32-bit D/A converter chips, with two conversion channels per audio channel.

It also uses an internal high-precision/low jitter clock generator for ultra-stable clocking of the D/A converter section.

PROFESSIONAL PROCESSING

The built-in audio processing is based on the same trailblazing algorithms used in Weiss Engineering’s professional audio tools.

So with the DAC501, you can adjust your audio using the same professional-grade algorithms that were likely used to mix and master the original recording.

EASE OF USE

The DAC501 comes with an IR remote control which can be used to select the active input and output, the DSP audio processing presets, and switch power on and off.

Furthermore, it is possible to control and configure the DAC501 via a web browser, which adds detailed control of the DSP processing and preset management.

There are a total of five inputs:

• AES/EBU or S/PDIF via XLR, Toslink and RCA sockets.
• UPnP/DLNA via Ethernet.
• USB.
• Roon Ready.

Accepted formats: PCM 44.1kHz up to 384 kHz, DSD 64x / 128x.

Future formats can be accommodated via software updates.

• Line out unbalanced on RCA connector.
• Line out balanced on XLR connector.
• Headphone out on 1/4″ jack.

Discrete output stages for both line and headphone outputs are employed.

The output levels can be set in a coarse manner with four steps to adapt for the amplifier or headphone connected. The levels can be set independently for line and headphone outputs.
No sound degrading servo mechanisms are used.

The DAC501 uses a built-in digital signal processing (DSP) chip for its audio processing. These algorithms are included:

• Room Equalizer – to suppress room modes for more accurate bass reproduction.
• Creative Equalizer – a tone control with low boost/cut, high boost/cut, and mid boost/cut. Very useful to correct those recordings which do not quite sound right.
• De-Essing – the automatic removal of overly bright sibilances from human voices. The sibilance effect can be more or less pronounced depending on your speakers or room acoustics.
• Constant Volume – adjusts the audio volume (loudness) to a constant value across all tracks played. Useful for “party mode” when the volume control should stay untouched.
• Vinyl Emulation – get that special sonic character of a record player based playback chain. We also employ an emulation of the DMM-CD procedure offered by the Stockfisch label.
• Crosstalk Cancelling (XTC) – for the playback of dummy head recordings or live recordings via speakers for an incredible live sensation. Dummy head recordings usually are listened to via headphones because they only work properly if the left channel goes to the left ear only and the right channel to the right ear only. With speakers this is difficult to achive as the left channel goes to the left and the right ear. But with some clever signal processing of the speaker channels is is possible to suppress the crosstalk, i.e. the audio going from the left speaker to the right ear and vice versa. If that works properly then the recording sounds as if one would be in the space where the recording has taken place. All the reverberation and 3D representation of the sound sources is there.(For speaker based playback only.)
• Loudness Control – a listening volume dependent equalization of the audio.
• Headphone Equalizer – to adapt any headphone to the listener’s ears in terms of frequency response.
• Crossfeed – to emulate a speaker based playback impression on headphones.

• A rotary encoder knob for changing parameters and for powering the uniton/off.
• A touch screen colour LCD display.
• An 1/4 inch headphone socket.
• An IR receiver.

• Analog outputs on XLR and RCA connectors.
• Digital inputs on XLR, RCA, TOSLINK, USB, and Ethernet connectors.
• USB type-A connector for various applications.
• Mains connector with fuses.

A powerful non-switching power supply is used. All sensitive voltages have their own regulators which are separated between left and right channels. The result is an analog output free of “digital noise” and channel crosstalk.

The power switch activates a semiconductor relay which only switches on or off at zero crossings of the mains voltage. This assures a glitch-free power switching. The two mains transformers are toroidal types.

Mains voltage selection is done automatically by measuring the mains voltage before power is applied to the rest of the electronics.

The performance was amazingly consistent in terms of lack of coloration, it was also very resolving, dynamic, effortless and open. The presentation was remarkably rich with details, textures and subtleties.

Marek Dyba

Weiss’s DAC501 shows great consistency of sound across all inputs and is an accomplished streamer too. Its headphone stage approaches the high standards of its line outputs. Build quality is excellent and the unit has super flexibility via its DSP options.

David Price

This is now my reference DAC and I am thrilled to have added it to my main system. This DAC makes sweet music and that’s all that matters.

Steve Huff