Esoteric D-02

State-of-the-art, 35 bit resolution, Digital to Analog decoder that accepts streaming audio from all sources

ESOTERIC newest and best 2 Box separate transport, the P-02 and the Digital Decoder, the D-02 digital to analog signal converter realize many major improvements in audio processing. The D-02 , with its 8 inputs, allows the user to bring audio from multiple sources including the P-02, a Music Server, Computer, game station, satellite box or other audio components and process them using all the features listed below.

Audiophile audio from sources seldom considered for high end digital to analog processing.

"35-bit D/A processing" dual monaural D/A converter

The D-02's D/A converter ICs incorporate top-end 32-bit AK4399 chipsets by ASAHI KASEI Microdevices Corporation. Eight (8) circuits per channel are provided to achieve phenomenal linearity and low noise. In addition to direct processing of DSD signals, the D-02 has newly adopted a "35-bit D/A processing" algorithm that converts
PCM signals to analog signals, at a high resolution of 35 bits.

As a result of this new technology, the D-02 achieves an improved level of delicate sound quality and imaging with ultra high resolution.

The D/A converter circuits are mounted on separate analog audio boards for each of the left and right channels. All components, including the power circuits and power transformers, are separated for right and left channels to implement a fully dual-monaural configuration. This identical layout per channel, achieves ideal power supply performance and excellent channel separation, enabling high-quality playback with a deep and wide soundstage.

A low distortion, high linearity, discrete Class A buffer

The D-02 features fully discrete Class A buffer amplifiers with four circuits per channel, which is twice the amount of components used in the K series players. These extended buffer circuits are configured as a "double-parallel fully balanced buffer amp," when the XLR outputs are selected, and switched to a "quadruple-parallel unbalanced buffer amp," configuration when RCA outputs are selected. The D-02 offers an exceedingly high drive capability by means of a low-distortion and high linearity Class A buffer amplifier and a high-voltage toroidal core power supply unit of +/-22V.



Wide-ranging D/D conversion functions

The D-02 provides a wide variety of D/D conversion modes for the PCM format, including x2 and x4 up-conversion, and PCM to-DSD conversion, in addition to original frequency, native data PCM processing.

Four types of digital filters and digital filter OFF mode The D-02 has four types of user selectable digital filters for PCM signal processing. Two types of short-delay digital filters and two types of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filters are included. These short-delay digital filters eliminate the pre-echo effect in the impulse waveform to reproduce a more natural audio signal. A digital filter OFF mode is also available.

Five digital input systems supporting

The D-02 support streaming digital audio from the P-02 or any other digital source device such as music servers, audio computers or other products types. It can accept super-high resolution streams from USB, S/PDIF/ AES/EBU, ES-Link3 or iLINK.

The D-02 is equipped with wide-ranging digital inputs of five types for eight channels (XLR x 2, iLINK 4p/6p x 1, USB x 1, coaxial x 2, and optical x 1). The D-02 can be used for high-sampling-rate sources of up to 24-bit/192kHz. XLR x 2 provides additional support for high-sampling-rate/high-bit inputs of 48-bit/192kHz (ES-LINK3) and 24-bit/384kHz (Dual AES 8Fs).

Asynchronous, 24-bit/192kHz USB inputs with the ESOTERIC supplied drivers provides original PC or MAC driver software to support asynchronous, 24-bit/192kHz high resolution data input through its USB interface. The internal USB isolator prevents interference from computer generated noise and enhances studio master-quality digital source playback performance. Both 32 bit and 64 bit PC or MAC operating systems are supported for asynchronous USB transmission.

High-precision digital volume attenuator

The D-02 is contains a high quality 32 bit digital volume attenuator function, allowing direct connected to a power amplifier. The 32 bit operating system allows for a full 28 bits of audio being processed when the DAC is attenuating 60 db. This process allows better audiophile fidelity than a 24 bit DAC even when the signal is attenuated.

Excellent usability

The D-02 can switch the output voltage of XLR audio outputs in accordance with the input sensitivity of the amplifier (0dB/+6dB). This allows the user to balance multiple devices to the same listening level as he or she switches between source devices.

Either Hot 2 or Hot 3 can be assigned for XLR audio outputs.