Zanden Audio Systems is well-known for their award winning multi-bit digital audio playback system: the model 5000S DAC and model 2000P CD transport. Often described as the most analog sounding digital playback system available, they have taken many of the key technologies responsible for its superb sound and applied them to a new D/A converter, the model 500, for use with computer audio systems and servers.
More than 10 years ago Zanden Audio first introduced their award winning series of mult-bit DACs. What most set their 5000 series of DACs apart from the competition was Zanden’s unique patented analog filter with superior phase characteristics. Zanden has consistently maintained that higher bit rates and higher sampling rates do not result in truly high resolution music playback because they do not address the more fundamental problem of digital filters and the resultant poor phase characteristics. Phase, the time axis of recorded music, is fundamental to proper playback of recorded music. The model 500 DAC like its illustrious predecessors makes use of Zanden’s patented analog filter which maintains superior phase coherency. The result is a more palpable, detailed, analog-like and ultimately realistic musical presentation.
Noise artifacts are also a very serious impediment to high quality audio playback and even more so with digital audio and computer based audio systems. Zanden has been at the forefront of battling various forms of noise which adversely affect the performance of digital audio components. The model 500 DAC borrows filtering technologies from Zanden’s model 2000P transport making its USB connection virtually noise free. Asahi Kasei Fiber’s extremely effective high frequency noise absorbing material called Pulshut is used extensively, as well as various shielding techniques.
Zanden Audio Systems, Ltd., is a privately held company based in Osaka, Japan. It was established in 1990 by Kazutoshi Yamada for the purpose of closing the gap between live music and recorded music which he became keenly aware of as a concert coordinator for over 500 live events. Zanden is both a manufacturer of hi-end audio equipment and continues to be active in the recording of live music. Over the years their products have received numerous awards and wide acclaim for their sonic virtues. They are distributed in over 15 countries with many more local dealers. The model 500 will be demonstrated at CES 2015 from January 6th to 9th in the Venetian Suite 30-220 and will be available for sale worldwide in April of 2015. Please contact your local distributor for pricing.
Features
Inputs: USB, I2S, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and DSD
Outputs: XLR (balanced) X 1, RCA X 1
Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz ~ 192 kHz
Resolution: 16bit ~ 32bit
Dimensions: 360mm(W)X70mm(H)X370mm(D)
Weight: 6kg