Gryphon Audio DAC3
Image source — © Gryphon Audio
Model name
DAC3
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
ES9039PRO
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to 32 bit / 384 kHz and DSD512
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
Official link
The Zena DAC Module is a high-performance digital-to-analog conversion module from Gryphon. This model was developed primarily for collaboration with the proprietary Zena amplifier. The module is based on the ESS Sabre ES9018 32-bit chip with a sampling rate of up to 384 kHz (PCM), which supports all modern digital audio formats. Supports DSD64 and DSD128 (DSD256/512 for Windows).
This device is an ideal choice for installation in the Diablo 120 integrated amplifier. After installing the DAC, the Diablo 120's display informs you about the active digital input, the sampling rate, the PCM/DSD format, and the selected digital filter setting.
The DAC provides higher power output compared to its predecessor: 2 x 300, 600 and 950 watts at 8, 4 or 2 ohms compared to 250, 500 and 800 ohms for the same load from Diablo. The inclusion of the power parameter in the specifications when operating on a load with a resistance of 2 ohms indicates that the amplifier is ready to control the most complex reactive load, the impedance of which can drop almost to the level of a short circuit.
The Gryphon Kalliope digital-to-analog converter, named after her, in addition to supporting the PCM audio format with parameters up to 32 bits / 384 kHz, is one of the few devices of this type capable of receiving a DSD stream. This know-how using pulse-density modulation at sampling rates up to 6.144 MHz, previously used in the production of SACD audiophile discs, continues to live on in the form of an ever-expanding library of files with the highest resolution available to consumers today.