Chord Dave DAC

🧾 Overview / Summary

The Chord DAVE is the British brand’s flagship FPGA‑based DAC, pre‑amplifier and reference‑grade headphone amp, delivering a vanishing‑low –127.5 dB THD+N and a huge 127.5 dB dynamic range. Handling everything from 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz PCM plus native DSD512, it brings state‑of‑the‑art digital conversion, a powerful 1.4 W headphone stage and fully balanced line outputs to any high‑end system.

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✅ Key Features

• ✅ 164 k‑tap custom FPGA DAC with 32‑bit/768 kHz & native DSD512 support
• ✅ Galvanically isolated USB‑B input (up to 768 kHz PCM)
• ✅ 4 × BNC coax, AES/XLR & dual TOSLINK digital inputs
• ✅ Reference headphone amp: 6.8 V RMS / 1.4 W into 33 Ω, drives up to 800 Ω
• ✅ Balanced XLR & unbalanced RCA pre‑amp outputs with remote control
• ✅ Configurable cross‑feed and standalone pre‑amplifier mode
• ✅ Solid CNC‑milled aluminium chassis with colour display
• ✅ Auto‑switching 90 – 250 V AC internal power supply

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📊 Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value
Dimensions (H × W × D)	7.8 × 33.5 × 15.2 cm
Weight	5 kg (5000 g)
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB
Dynamic Range / THD+N	127.5 dB / –127.5 dB (AWT)
Channel Separation	>125 dB @ 1 kHz
Tap‑length Filter	164 000 taps
Sample Rates	44.1 kHz – 768 kHz (16–32‑bit), DSD64 – DSD512 (native & DoP)
Digital Inputs	4 × BNC S/PDIF, 1 × AES/XLR, 2 × TOSLINK, 1 × USB‑B
Analogue Outputs	1 × RCA stereo, 1 × XLR stereo, 1 × ¼″ TRS headphone
Headphone Output	6.8 V RMS / 154 mW @ 300 Ω; 1.4 W @ 33 Ω; Zout 0.055 Ω
Power	90 – 250 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz, auto‑switching

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📦 What’s in the Box

• 📦 Chord DAVE DAC
• 🔌 10 A IEC mains cable
• 🔗 USB‑A → USB‑B cable
• 🔗 Optical TOSLINK cable
• 🕹️ IR remote control
• 🔋 2 × AAA batteries
• 📖 Quick‑start guide & safety instructions

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🔄 Compatibility

• ✔ Balanced XLR & RCA outputs connect to power amps, receivers, active speakers or headphone amps
• ✔ Headphone output drives 32 – 800 Ω headphones with up to 1.4 W of clean power
• ✔ USB Audio Class 2.0: plug‑and‑play on macOS/Linux; ASIO/WASAPI driver for Windows 7/10/11
• ✔ Accepts PCM (32‑bit/768 kHz) & native DSD512 from PCs, streamers, CD transports & Chord M‑Scaler via BNC

📦✈️ Shipping & Returns

• 📦 Insured worldwide delivery
• 🔄 14‑day return policy
• 🛡️ 2‑year manufacturer warranty

📝 Reviews

Alan Sircom, Hi‑Fi+: “Everything else is, quite simply, some kind of magnificent.”

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What Hi‑Fi? Verdict: “If you’re looking for the best DAC money can buy, the DAVE is a superb place to start.”

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