n May the 14th 2015, together with other press representatives, we participated in the first official presentation of D/A Converter that its manufacturer, Chord, described as: „the most advanced DAC in the world: DAVE”. It was obvious that even for the representatives of Kent based manufacturer it was a very particular event. Two previously released DAC/headphone amplifiers, Hugo TT and Mojo were and still are very important for Chord, as they've been generating huge sales. But when it comes to products that build company's image and prestige, that use new technologies and solutions that later shall be used for less expensive products, the Chord's top D/A Converter is a key products for the next few years.

According to Chord's CEO, John Franks, DAVE is an acronym for ‘Digital to Analogue Veritas in Extremis’, although when coming up with the name they initially wanted to use Latin version of ‘Extreme Truth’ or ‘Veritas’, to walk away from naming products using letters and digits. Just like in the case of Hugo TT also this time the product is based on top class engineering. Rob Watts, who designed a breakthrough DAC 64 for Chord, and all its successors is also a 'father' of this project. Mr. Franks adds, that the project, now known as DAVE, started already 8 years ago when they were working on Hugo TT, that – an interesting fact – utilized many solutions developed with DAVE in mind.

Rob Watts spent many month working on this project, and a large chunk of that time he spent listening to the product, changing/improving elements that still required an intervention. What's more, Rob tested not only whole new prototypes of DAVE, but also its elements. He did his best to perfect operation of each of them. He spent a lot of time writing software for his proprietary FIR digital filters he named WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) featuring 164 000 taps. The latest version works with frequency of 256fs, meaning that input frequency is multiplied by 264 – that's a unique value. For this process alone Chord uses a chip capable of processing as much information as 166 separate DSP cores.

Then digital signal had to be converted into analogue one. For that purpose Watts also developed his own solution: a 20-element „Pulse Array” DAC, with discrete resistors that are switched using transistors, and a unique, analogue 2-nd order „noise shaper” filter that 'moves' noise beyond audible sound range. Wide array of digital inputs allows user to deliver almost any signal to DAVE: PCM from 44,1 kHz to 768 kHz (2 x DXD) and DSD (up to Quad DSD). DSD signal might be delivered in its native form (more about this technique HERE), or using DoP protocol – depending on selected input. Separate filters were developed for PCM and another one for DSD. One chooses proper filter in the menu and can see the choice on the large, color, LCD display.

It present information on selected input, sampling frequency, and volume level. DAVE is not only a D/A Converter but also a digital preamplifier. Using a knob or remote control one can adjust volume level which allows DAVE to directly drive a power amplifier. If this function is not needed it can be turned off. I forgot – there is also a headphone output. Chord developed three „Crossfeed” filters for it, which make presentation more spacial. DAC might be place in a special rack – it looks really good in it plus anti-vibration properties of this rack improve performance. One thing though – rack comes at pretty steep price of 9390 PLN.

Already Hugo TT, less expensive than DAVE and representing previous technological generation DAC proved that Chord created a very special product. When fed with signal from a CD transport it delivered performance of comparable quality to my trusted Lektor AIR V-edition CD Player. There were some obvious differences between them but they were surprisingly small. A character of those differences was to my liking, following my own sonic preferences. Time spent with Red Reference MkIII HDSD, a CD Player based on Chord's QBD76 DAC confirmed my previous assessment, adding on top one more observation – newer generations of Chord D/A Converters were getting even better. While being less analytical they become even more resolving, and at the same time they remind more and more of analogue sources.

I liked Hugo TT, that I mentioned at the beginning, very much. I used It for an extended period of time without feeling a need to return to my trusted Lektor, although I knew all the time what would happen, what would I get back when finally Chord would go to the distributor, It is different with DAVE. Considering all factors in I have to day that it offers even better sound quality than my Lektor, similar, although not quite the same, as dCS Rossini Player and totalDAC d-twelve Converter. I believe that it's no accident that all three of them feature discrete circuits for D/A Convertion. On one hand Chord is as resolving and as smooth as the British Player with external oscillator, on the other it shares many sound features of another great CD Player, Vitus Audio SCD-025 MkII.

The higher resolution is a result of more information being delivered than by Lektor, and not from emphasized attack phase of the sound. I'd even say that DAC's treble is slightly rolled off compared to Player's, so that is not a reason of described difference. Vitus on the other hand delivers darker, more creamy sound, so it's also not about more three-dimensional sound and the depth of the soundstage. Chord offers a true depth and resolution. Listener does not pay attention to details and yet he perceives music in a deeper way. He receives information not only about dynamics and timbre but also about tiny changes of sound level, about changes and fluctuations of energy. It makes music sound richer, more involving, able to keep listener's interest for a longer time.

DAVE delivers also a fantastic bass. It goes really deep, it is particularly tuneful, rich but also its definition reaches remarkable level that allows listener to better understand a recording. I know only a handful of other sources offering similar level of performance such as dCS Rossini and Vivaldi. Also CEC TL 3.0 CD Transport offers similar sound signature. I recognized that when listening to Hollywood from Smolik and Kev Fox album, where electric bass creates the rhythm for the whole track without actually driving it. It slowly builds and maintains a certain level of suspense using precise, short phrases.

With Lektor, and consequently with most digital source I reviewed (with only few of them offering higher level of performance than AIR V-edition) this type of change is communicated via changes of sound level, of 'how much' sound there is. DAVE confirmed that it is an important element of performance but there were also other, equally important such as phrasing and sound density. The last time I experienced such a fantastic presentation of changes in dynamics was with two amplifiers: Naim Statement and FM Acoustics, and before that I'd heard it with Ancient Audio Silver Mono Grand. Comparing sources costing less than 50 000 PLN and you won't even notice that. But use this Chord for comparison and it will become clear to you.

Astounding dynamics, range extension, richness – it's all there. Without some in-depth comparisons one might say that most of these feature are the same as with Lektor AIR, which confirms the genius of the guy working from a basement in Cracow, who, years ago, using simple methods, achieved a similar performance level.

But it also clearly shows what could be still improved. Experience gained with products of dCS and Chord clearly shows that the path of digital signal processing and a discrete D/A Converter are the way to go. Transport also matters but that's another story.

This DAC delivers particularly transparent and well defined sound that is at the same time very deep and tonally rich. Using one of my favorite comparisons, Lektor offers a performance of a great turntable while Dave reminded me of a sound of analogue master-tape. From 'digital fan' pot of view it might seem like the same thing – the highest quality analogue sound. But if you have actually heard both you realize that this comparison indicates two quite different types of sound. Tape means no „hi-fi” sound, it's music, it is a immediate dynamics and less spatial performance. Space on records, and CDs, for that matter, seems enlarged, seems to lay bigger role than on actual source material.

Another comparison that might be useful here are different kinds of CDs. Lektor and other alike Players based on minimalist design, high quality craft and element could be represented by XRCD. Sound is amazingly rich (sometime even too rich, which is a good thing!), dense and very fluid. DAVE would be Platinum SHM-CD. In direct comparison its tonal balance is set bit higher, it seems not that rich, but even more musical, offering a bigger emotional load, not so uniform. And a final comparison for hi-res files fans: DAVE is like DSD128, while Lektor reminded me more of PCM DXD in the best possible version. Both remarkable and yet different. Yes, I know that this might seem like a strange comparison considering the fact that it is Chord who is a PCM specialist.

Music files

Today there is no matching CD, SACD or music files transport in Chords line. I'm pretty sure that the latter is most likely to complement that line in a near future. The USB input accepts PCM up to 768 kHz (2 x DXD), and DSD (up to Quad DSD) which allows user to play all music files available on the market today. My main music medium is still Compact Disc and if a reviewed DAC can't handle them well it will surely have trouble also with hi-res files. But I do realize, that today files „rule”, so I spent some time using also this medium.

It was supposed to be a short session just to complete an “obligatory” part of the test. But it turned out to be the main one. The way DAVE (as did Hugo TT before) treats signal coming from USB input is unique. I have no idea how it is done without any tone equalization but it offers a richer, smoother sound. Bass is denser and midrange richer. And there is even less treble than when music is played via S/PDIF input – that's a short version. All this sound features are still only an addition to the key one – extreme resolution.

There is a sort of rivalry among manufacturers of digital devices – each of them want to be a leader in terms of the highest possible sampling frequency accepted by USB input. Until recently 24/192 was all that was required of any DAC, today without DXD and DSD128 compatibility one can't claim to have a 'top' DAC. And the situation will remain unchanged until (I think) technological limit of 4 x DXD and Octa DSD will be achieved. It's but a game – manufacturers pretend that it really matters and offers benefits, and customers pretend that they can actually hear that and that they know what those 'benefits' are. What's important is that DAC is “future-proof”, capable of handling whatever comes in future.

But in fact the real resolution of such DACs is no higher than 16-18 bits and every signal above 96 kHz results in a higher jitter. We might get better sound if a reasonable engineering would be applied to 16/44,1 files, but marketing rules. DAVE proved to me, maybe for the first time, that a high quality files with high quality recording has a potential that one day in the future might achieve a level of an analogue master tape.

But the very basic key element of achieving such quality are the recordings themselves. It so happens that my friend, René Laflamme, gut running Fidelio Musique, founded a new firm called 2xHD, that sells recordings in DXD and 2 x DSD formats. He prepares them sourcing material from analogue tapes, and he records music himself too. And he has access to a wide range of recordings from labels such as Naxos, Prioprius and others. I received a flash-drive from him with a selection of tracks including some yet unreleased.

DAVE in DXD and DSD128 mode delivered a rich, deep sound based on a solid bass foundation. It is a slight deviation from absolute neutrality but a good one adding this immersive element to the mix. The DXD files had this unbelievable richness, density and sound was amazingly fluid. It painted a large picture, something much bigger in every sense that just a presentation happening in a space between speakers. Sound was faster, with a better attack and dynamics than when played from a CD Transport. Also three-dimensional images had more mass, were richer.
That was a level of performance I had not heard for some time and previously it was from one of top turntables. CD quality files did not sound that remarkably, sound was not as refined as with DXD. That's why I would rather play CD material from a high quality CD Transport, not rip it to files. But DXD – that's the right direction following in analogue tape footsteps – no doubts about it.

I didn't really mention DSD, as it was OK, but it was also obvious that this DAC was optimized for PCM performance. That is true even if it features separate filters for DSD playback. One can read in article titled Chord Electronics DAC technology notes in association with Rob Watts, available on Chords Electronics' site that company highly values DSD format. But they also consider PCM DXD format as the one offering best sound quality. With dCS Rossini DSD files offered better performance and so they did with Mytek DACs. DAVE on the other hand is a remarkable DAC for PCM files, offering (via USB input) a higher quality performance than almost any other device I'd listened before. Only some top CD and SACD Players were able to provide even high quality sound. And, to be perfectly honest, I can't even be perfectly sure that it is true…

Hugo TT is in fact a three-in-one type of product with three devices offering similar level of performance: DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier. The latter works great with Audeze LCD-3 – in fact my son uses this very system himself. Also Mojo offers similar functionality and its headphone amp is also pretty good. Knowing these products one when realizing that top of the line DAVE also features a headphone output might expect a top of the line performance too.

No, it's not a bad headphone amp. But DAVE is first of all a remarkable DAC offering much better performance than Hugo TT and maybe that is why I decided to use its full potential by combining it with an external amplifier Bakoon HPA-21. Chord was not really able to drive my HiFiMAN HE-6 in such a way that would allow them to perform at their best. Chord was a much better partner for Audeze and dynamic cans – Sennheiser HD800 and AKG K701. These headphones kept their own sonic signature – Chord did not try to impose its own. Such set delivered clean, fast, particularly spacial sound. Differences between different „Crossfeed” settings were clear, but none of them offered enough benefits to convince me to use them all the time.

The thing is that with all these cans DAVE offered a not so rich sound, lacking some mass. Bass was fast, clean but it lacked energy which suppressed dynamics a bit. If you don't have an external high quality headphone amp I would suggest pairing DAVE with Ultrasone PRO line can, or some others offering similar sonic signature, rich with bass. If you expect a comparable sound quality from headphones that you can get with DAVE from loudspeakers, you will have to invest in a separate, top quality headphone amplifier.

Summary

DAVE offers a performance comparable to the best digital sources such as: Ancient Audio Lektor AIR V-edition, dCS Rossini, totalDAC d-1 twelve. It has certainly more in common with the late two as it shares with them the latest approach to sound reproduction from digital mediums (CD and HDD). It delivers a beautiful, well balanced, rich and amazingly well controlled performance that covers all one might wish for. It is an all-rounder fully capable of delivering fantastic performance when playing Slayer, but also when delivering a refined music experiments by Eugeniusz Rudnik. And while being able to deliver such a remarkable performance it is a small device that will fit any system. It is, no doubt, the best source offered by Chord so far, outperforming by far anything they ever made. It is also one of the very best D/A Converters I know.

Chassis of this remarkable device is made of two milled pieces of aluminum. It's shape takes after the designs of Qute and Ensemble series. It is rather small, elongated with a wider side being a front. It is a particularly rigid and sturdy design which is one of the features that sets this manufacturer's products apart – remember a promo clip with tank running over Mojo? Except for headphone output placed on front, other elements are placed on top cover and the connectors on the back. After cans are plugged in analogue output is muted and a separate volume level is set, the one that was set when headphones were used last time. When in this mode DAVE offers three different settings that eliminated “sound inside head” effect. This setting can be also completely turned off, which I did.

Top

A round window in an aluminum frame with sort of magnifying glass in it is what attracts attention first. Under it there is a large, color display – other Chord's products also use this element but it allows user to take a pick inside the device, to look at some circuits. Display delivers information on a selected input and sampling frequency, volume level, digital filters modes, phase and a selected display mode. There are four, user-select display modes. On the right side of the display manufacturer placed manipulators – a knob with a push-button plus four other buttons. These allow user to operate the menu of the device, and know might be user to adjust volume.

Rear

The rear panel is filled with connectors. There are as much as 8 digital inputs: 4 x BNC, 2 x optical TOSLINK, AES/EBU and type B USB. The BNC inputs may work in „dual mode”, known from previous generations of dCS and Chord products, widely user in pro-audio devices. When using this mode a left channel is sent via one cable and the right channel via second one. One can use this mode to connect DAVE with Chord Blu CD transport. DAVE also features digital outputs – 4 x BNC, meant to be used with devices 'to be developed' by Chord. The device sports a balanced analogue section and therefor it offers both, balanced and unbalanced analogue outputs. Maximum output level for them is, respectively, 3 and 6V – enough to directly drive most power amplifiers.

Inside

D/A Converters by Jadis, Ancient Audio, Audio Research and many other big brands are filled with tubes, transformers, capacitors and so on. That's something we know, understand and expect. For years companies such as: Linn, dCS, EMM Labs, Chord offer another, hi-tech approach, focusing their efforts on different way of signal processing - FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array). Such a chip, hidden under a large radiator, is a heart of DAVE. This particular chip processes is able to process 10 time more information at the same time as the one used in Hugo. For DAVE Chord use a powerful LX75 Spartan 6 FPGA circuit that filter signal and operates volume control. The key element of its software is the latest version of WTA (Watts Transient Aligned), a digital filter developed by Robert Watts. Only from there signal goes to DAC, a discrete circuit based on resistors and transistors. Output is based on medium-power transistors.

At a side, behind thick shield, sits a SMPS. Chord has been using this solution for years – one can find it in all its products. DAVE features two of these, one for digital section and another for for analogue one.

Remote

Remotes have been used for many years – it all started with ARCAM devices, today many manufacturers use them for their devices to make user's life easier. It might allow him to operate many different functions. In this particular case the remote features way too many buttons for such an uncomplicated (in operation I mean) device as DAC. But when one uses more Chord devices this remote will allow him to operate them too.

Rack

DAVE is quite a small device and it sits small, rubber feet. To present it properly and to decouple it from vibrations manufacturer offers a special rack. When being placed in it DAVE sits in a tilted position. Rack may feature short or long (like the ones used for this test) feet and a few of such segments might be put one on top of the other if ones uses more then one Chord's device. An interesting fact – packaging of the rack is four times bigger than rack itself.

Specifications (according to manufacturer)

Inputs:
• USB B 44 kHz – 768 kHz, DXD | Quad DSD
• 2 x Optical 44 kHz – 192 kHz
• 1 x AES 44 kHz – 192 kHz
• 4 x BNC 44 kHz – 384 kHz
Digital outputs:
2 x BNC 768 kHz „dual-data mode”
Max output signal:
6 V RMS/XLR | 3 V RMS, RCA
Output impedance: 0,0055 Ω
THD + N (2,5 V RMS): 0,000015 %
THD + N (2,5 V RMS): 127 dBA A (124 dB A/33 Ω)
Dynamics (-60 dB FS, 1 kHz): -127 dB A
Power consumption: 20 W
Dimensions (W x H x D): 338 x 60 x 145 mm
Weight: 7 kg