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Denon Launches the DA-300USB

Denon Launches the DA-300USB

Mahwah, NJ February 19, 2014Denon® Electronics, a premier manufacturer of high-quality home and personal audio products, announces the DA-300USB, the company’s first stand-alone USB digital to analog converter (DAC) that dramatically improves audio quality from computers and other digital sources. The DA-300USB is a major hi-fi upgrade that enables audiophile playback of computer music libraries and streaming audio (from any PC or Mac) via a user’s stereo system or headphones. It radically amps up the sound quality of other digital audio devices—like media players, CD and DVD players, televisions, Apple TV, and game consoles—by connecting them to the additional coaxial and optical digital inputs. The DA-300USB ($499) is expected to be available at select electronics dealers in March.

The new DA-300USB DAC boasts Denon’s advanced AL32 processing along with high-precision, 32-bit, 192-kHz digital-to-analog conversion technologies that delivers  astounding sound quality.

Users simply connect the minimalist DAC via its USB-B port to receive top-quality computer audio—via headphones like the Denon Music Manic AH-D600, powered speakers or directly to their stereo system—for computer-stored music files or streaming audio over the Internet.

Key Features of Denon’s DA-300USB High Definition Audio USB Compact DAC

  • High-definition DAC with one USB-B, one coaxial two optical digital inputs
  • High-quality audio components for rich, open, detailed sound
  • Denon advanced AL32 processing and high-precision 32-bit, 192-kHz digital-to-analog conversion for exceptional high-definition audio quality
  • DAC master clock design for distortion-free, fully transparent sound stage
  • Noise-isolating circuit design prevents distortion via USB connection from computer-generated digital noise; ensures fully transparent and spatially accurate sound stage
  • Universal bit-transparent, asynchronous playback of digital audio file formats and streaming audio from PCs via USB-B; up to 24 bit, 192 kHz and DSD2.8 and DSD5.6 native support by DoP (DSD audio over PCM frames)
  • 3x SPDIF (coaxial/optical) inputs for upgrading sound from other digital audio devices (up to 24 bit, 192 kHz) with the DA-300USB’s advanced high-definition signal processing
  • High-quality analog signal (line level) output and headphone amplifier stage for connection to hi-fi amplifiers or desktop speaker systems and superb listening with all kinds of headphones.  
  • Simple plug-and-play operation for connection to PCs and other devices with digital audio outputs

Universal Audiophile-Quality Playback
The USB-B input allows computer-stored music files or streaming audio from Internet music, video and film services to be processed and played via the DA-300USB for the best-possible sound quality. The computer recognizes the DA-300USB as an external soundcard, and bypasses its own lower-quality audio electronics. Any digital audio format that can be played from the computer’s own media player can be processed by the DA-300USB—including MP3/MP4, AAC, ALAC, WAV and FLAC HD (up to 24 bit, 192 kHz) and DSD (the native file format for SACD; in 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz resolution).

The digital audio stream from the computer to the DA-300USB is transferred in bit-transparent, asynchronous mode to ensure a bit-perfect data stream for high-definition advanced AL32 processing and high-precision digital-to-analog conversion.

High-Definition Signal Processing and Digital-to-Analog Conversion
Denon’s advanced AL32 processing and high-precision 32-bit, 192-kHz digital-to-analog conversion delivers audio quality that far exceeds usual high-definition, wide-bandwidth conversion techniques. In the same way that advanced Blu-ray players can deliver full HD video from standard-definition DVD, the advanced AL32 processor up-converts and up-samples all input signals to a 32-bit, 192-kHz high-definition data stream that is interpolated, using a highly advanced proprietary algorithm, to provide a full-scale, accurate reproduction of the original sound recording.

The advanced AL32 processor is matched with a high-precision 32-bit, 192-kHz digital-to-analog conversion circuit to fully exploit the advanced AL32 high-definition processing. Quantization noise, inherent in standard-resolution digital-to-audio conversion, is rendered inaudible. Digital processing and filtering artifacts are moved beyond the range of human hearing to reproduce pure, high-quality analog output signal.

Stylish Minimalist Design, Plus Small Footprint and Easy Operation
The DA-300USB is an attractively styled, ultra-compact unit. Measuring approximately 7 x 7 x 2 inches, it can be positioned either horizontally or vertically (using the supplied clip-on stand) for compatibility with any desktop audio or hi-fi system. The minimalist front panel has a power button, headphone output and volume control, a touch input selector switch, and an OLED display that shows the selected input, headphone volume and input signal resolution. Orientation of the display changes with horizontal or vertical positioning of the unit.

About Denon Electronics
Denon is a world leader in the manufacture of the highest-quality home theater, audio and software products. Denon is recognized internationally for innovative and groundbreaking products and has a long history of technical innovations, including the development and groundbreaking commercialization of pulse-code modulation (PCM) digital audio. Denon Electronics is owned by D+M Group. 

About D+M Group

D+M Group is a global company dedicated to enhancing life through inspired sound solutions delivered anytime, anywhere. With a strong belief that “Performance is everything,” D+M is focused on innovation to meet the needs of customers in an increasingly digital world. Serving the consumer, professional and automotive markets, D+M Group brands include Boston Acoustics®, Denon®, Denon DJ, Denon Professional, Marantz®, and Marantz Professional.  D+M Group has approximately 2,000 employees worldwide, with products and services marketed in more than 45 countries. D+M Group is a Bain Capital portfolio company.

All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of D+M Group or its subsidiaries.

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