ATC Loudspeaker Technology announce the arrival of the CDA 2 Mk2 CD/DAC preamp, which represents a re-engineering of its predecessor in all the key performance areas. Developed as partner for ATC’s latest P2 power amplifier and active speaker designs, the Mk2 combines  USB access to high-resolution music streaming with an upgraded CD transport and DAC board, dedicated headphone amplification, wider input selection and redesigned analogue circuits.

Joining rear panel coaxial and optical 192kHz inputs, the Mk2’s new high resolution USB input is capable of handling PCM data up to 384kHz and also DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 natively.  Completing the Mk2’s wider digital interface, a new TEAC-supplied CD transport delivers “faster play and seek times, much lower mechanical noise and improved error correction”.

The re-engineered analogue circuits optimise ATC’s implementation of a new premium 32-bit AKM DAC, selected for  low noise and distortion. Supporting the DAC, the Mk2’s power supply architecture employs nine additional  voltage regulators, and local power supply decoupling has been improved from the Mk1.

Both input and output gain stages have been improved by an arrangement of discrete op amps comprising six common gain blocks: two for left and right input buffering, and four to provide a “true” differential output for the left and right channels. The positive and negative drivers are arranged in parallel to ensure that the signal delays and phase shifts are identical on both sides.  The output stages are configured as unity gain complementary compound (Sziklai) pairs, biased in class A.

Also benefiting are twin rear-mounted analogue phono/RCA inputs and an additional aux analogue input via 3.5mm mini jack, which is equipped with high input sensitivity for improved compatibility with phones, tablets and other low output portable devices. Additionally the Mk2 benefits from a revised headphone amplifier capable of driving headphones from 30 – 600 ohms.  Output is via a rear panel mounted 6.35mm jack.

The CDA2 Mk2’s chassis is constructed from a combination of steel and aluminium and uses constrained layer damping to control panel resonances.  The front panel is machined from an extruded section of 13mm/0.5” aluminium alloy with a brushed and anodised silver finish.

ATC’s wholly upgraded preamp/player is supplied with IR remote control and is covered by a six year warranty (2 years CD mechanism).

The CDA2 Mk 2 will be demonstrated at Room 102 Sound & Vision, Bristol 23-25 February 2018

Typical Retail Price (inc VAT): £2950

Availability: February 2018