CEntrance Debuts BlueDAC Portable Balanced DAC/Amp with Wired and Wireless Connectivity

November 21 2017, 03:00
Following a very successful and engaged crowdfunding campaign, CEntrance, announced immediate availability of BlueDAC, it's newest portable D/A converter and headphone amplifier. BlueDAC combines the best of CEntrance portable digital technologies to date, including a long-life rechargeable battery and a 24-bit/384kHz USB interface, and adds a brand new, custom, high fidelity Bluetooth radio receiver, allowing also wireless connectivity.
 

Combining the wired and wireless inputs within the same product, BlueDAC becomes the perfect listening device for music enthusiasts looking for the best possible audio experiences everywhere. When used wirelessly, it delivers excellent sound quality over balanced headphones. When used as a portable or desktop USB DAC, it can access the full potential of modern, high-resolution content, offering 24-bit/384kHz fidelity and DSD capability. 

This wide range of connectivity options makes BlueDAC highly versatile and convenient at home or on the go. The device's wireless connection pairs well with phones and tablets running iOS and Android. BlueDAC has been also successfully tested with a number of Digital Audio Players that offer a Bluetooth output.

Featuring a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a special, 2.5mm balanced headphone jack, BlueDAC lets discriminating users take full advantage of their existing headphones and cabling connections. Inside, there is the AK4490 Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) chip coupled with AmpExtreme, CEntrance's own powerful, custom, Class-A Headphone Amplifier with digital volume control. BlueDAC offers the company's loudest headphone signal yet, with lowest noise and distortion, especially in the balanced configuration.

Following a very extensive research, BlueDAC features a Digital Volume Control knob, which ensures perfect L/R balance across the adjustment range. An output gain switch is also provided. In the High GAIN setting, BlueDAC is best used with overhead headphones. In the Low GAIN setting, the product is compatible with sensitive IEMs, including balanced armature models.

And the BlueDAC does a great job with battery management, too. When used in Bluetooth mode, it powers down its USB circuitry, achieving unprecedented 20+ hours of playtime. In USB mode, the battery will last for at least 8 hours. 

BlueDAC comes on the heels of CEntrance's successful "DACport HD" portable DAC and headphone amp. The product was successfully funded via a crowdfunding campaign, which allowed the user community to contribute suggestions for product design and important feature refinement. The attractive, handheld, battery-powered device is made in US from tough, bio-degradable plastic.

Michael Goodman, Managing Director of CEntrance, states, "Our handheld playback products unlock the power of the phone as a music player. Your phone already has a lot of music, but sadly, it just lost the headphone jack. BlueDAC solves this problem and offers you a high fidelity wireless link for your favorite wired headphones. This level of convenience and audio quality was previously unavailable."

BlueDAC Specifications:
Sample Rate (USB): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352kHz, 384kHz, DSD
Resolution (USB): 32-bit (Also supports 16 and 24-bit)
Connection: USB 2.0, asynchronous, Bluetooth
Local clock: Mil-spec clock, 10 ppm precision, 1 ps jitter
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Linux, PC. Driver is available for Windows.
Frequency Response: 20Hz...20kHz +/-0.5dB
S/N: -113dBu, no weighting
THD+N: 0.014% (FS, 1kHz)
Output Impedance: 0.4 Ohm
Max Level (HD): 2.9 V rms / +11.3 dBu
Output Power: 500mW (total) 32 Ohm, drives 600 Ohm headphones
Gain Switch: 20dB range
Unit Dimensions: 110mm (4.3") (L), 57mm (2.2") (W), 18mm (0.7”) (H)
Weight: 120 grams (4.3 ounces)

BlueDAC is available now at $399 US.
www.centrance.com/products/bluedac/
related items