Gryphon Audio ZENA DAC MODULE
Image source — © Gryphon Audio
Model name
ZENA DAC MODULE
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
Sabre ES9018
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to 32bit/384KHz and DSD512
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20 000
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)
<0,0050
Dimensions (mm)
260 x 70 x 110
Weight (kg)
1.6
Official link
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.
The new Gryphon DAC-3 digital-to-analog module is based on the Sabre ES9039PRO DAC chip from ESS Technology. Seven user–selectable digital PCM filters are implemented here, as well as a full range of digital inputs - USB-B, AES/EBU, coaxial BNC and optical Toslink.