The Chord Dave DAC Preamp Headphone Amplifier (Digital to Analogue Veritas in Extremis) stands as Chord Electronics' most advanced reference digital-to-analog converter, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier. Hand-crafted in England using custom-machined aircraft-grade aluminum, this flagship processor bypasses conventional off-the-shelf DAC silicon in favor of a massively parallel Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA. Running Rob Watts’ revolutionary 164,000-tap WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) reconstruction filter, it delivers peerless timing precision, extraordinary dynamic contrast, and zero noise-floor modulation to anchor the world's most demanding high-fidelity two-channel and personal audio setups.
Key Features & Innovations
Custom Xilinx Spartan-6 LX75 FPGA Processing — the Chord Dave DAC Preamp Headphone Amplifier relies entirely on bespoke FPGA architecture, delivering 1,000 times the processing capacity of mass-market converter chips.
164,000-Tap Watts Transient Aligned (WTA) Filter — groundbreaking interpolation filter algorithm reconstructs the original analog waveform with microsecond timing accuracy, restoring natural spatial acoustic depth.
Reference Discrete Headphone Amplifier Stage — low-impedance discrete drive stage powers demanding planar magnetic and high-impedance dynamic headphones with effortless current and zero audible distortion.
Bit-Perfect Digital Preamplifier Functionality — ultra-high-precision lossless digital volume control enables direct balanced or single-ended connection to power amplifiers without dynamic compression.
Iconic Porthole Display & Precision Casework — features Chord's signature porthole LCD screen showing real-time sample rates, input selection, and volume levels, set within a billet-machined aluminum casework.
FAQ — Chord DAVE
Can the Chord Dave DAC Preamp Headphone Amplifier drive power amplifiers directly?
Yes. The Chord Dave DAC Preamp Headphone Amplifier features a reference-grade digital preamplifier mode with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs, allowing direct connection to power amplifiers or active speakers with lossless volume attenuation.
What digital resolutions and audio formats does DAVE support?
Via its galvanic-isolated USB Type-B input, DAVE processes native PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (Native DSD and DoP). Coaxial inputs via BNC support dual-data high-rate transmission up to 768kHz.
Can I connect the Chord Hugo M Scaler to this unit?
Yes, DAVE includes dedicated Dual-BNC digital inputs designed to link with the Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler, enabling 1-million-tap upscaling up to 705.6kHz/768kHz.
Where is Chord Electronics equipment designed and manufactured?
DAVE is engineered, machined, and hand-assembled at Chord Electronics' headquarters and riverside facility in East Farleigh, Kent, United Kingdom.
Why Buy From Us
Authorized Chord Electronics dealer offering 100% factory-authentic reference components with full manufacturer warranty protection
Expert digital audio consultants available to guide DAC matching, M Scaler integration, and high-end headphone pairing
Dedicated post-purchase technical support for driver configuration, personal audio synergy, and system optimization
Fast, secure insured freight shipping with protective heavy-duty packaging on every order
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