San Jose-based audio team Dense has created the ‘Adapt Reference’ audio DAC,  a portable audio performance boost device for smartphones and personal computers.

Dense successfully raised funds for the production on Kickstarter and delivered this product to early backers. Now, it’s ready to officially launch and distribute Adapt Reference to worldwide. Dense say that the device “enhances the listening experience by reviving the details of the music that were hindered by the power limitation of the smartphone or personal laptop”.

Adapt Reference DAC

Adapt Reference DAC is designed, say Dense, “with high-quality audio components and experience in engineering”. The output power can reach up to 2.0Vrms, which is nearly triple of average smartphone output. Adapt Reference uses the latest ESS 32bit SABRE Hi-Fi ES9218P DAC and class 1 passive components. Adapt Reference supports a wide range of audio formats.

Sampling rate: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz.

Bit depth: 16bit, 24bit, 32bit.

Lossless audio formats: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DoP, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV.

Low Jitter Oscillators

Adapt Reference features triple noise filters in the power supply and only linear power supplies were used. Two Ultra-low jitter custom oscillators provide more accurate timing, like a high-end audio system. Dense told us: “A quartz watch is off by 50 seconds per month, and a regular Oscillator is off by 25 seconds per month. But, Adapt Reference DAC’s oscillators are off by only 1.3 seconds per month”. Adapt Reference has two oscillators dedicated to 44.1kHz and 48kHz native sampling rates to minimise conversion error.

Product Design

The housing is anodised aluminium with fins on the side, to maintain an optimum system operating temperature for the best performance, and give a comfortable grip. The device only weighs 15g(5.3oz), which is equivalent to the weight of AAA battery. USB-C can connect to your smartphone and laptop. You can plug in wired headphones or earbuds to the 3.5mm audio jack. The device is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Each set includes the Adapt Reference DAC, USB-C cable, and user manual. Apple Camera Connection Kit is required for iOS devices with a Lightning 8pin port.

The Dense Adapt Reference DAC is now available for $209. The Standard Adapt DAC (16/24bit with sampling rate up to 192kHz ) is £109.

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