APL Hi-Fi DSD-MR SE dac

Intraded in and now available: a beautiful APL Hi-Fi DSD-MR SE Digital-to-Analog Converter.

 

The DSD-MR SE is one of the most uncompromising digital products developed by APL Hi-Fi. As Master Reference DAC, it was designed with one clear starting point: to make digital reproduction sound as natural, fluent and analog as possible.

 

APL opts for a fundamentally different approach than many conventional DAC designs. Incoming PCM signals are first converted by APL's own digital processing to DSD, after which the actual digital-to-analogue conversion takes place. For this purpose, the DSD-MR SE uses specially developed digital electronics with individual high-speed CPLDs in mono configuration and ultra-low-jitter Femto Master Clocks.

 

The user can choose PCM to DSD conversion from DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512 , with APL offering different digital filtering capabilities. Through USB, the DAC PCM accepts up to 32-bit/384 kHz and native DSD to DSD512 .

 

Pure Class A pipe output

 

At least as special is what happens after the digital conversion. APL does not use conventional amp-based output stage, but a fully differential Pure Class A tube circuit with ECC99 tubes.

 

The analogue output stage is coupled via specially manufactured Lundahl transformers with OFC copper windings . The current-to-voltage conversion and the analog DSD filter are fully passive.

 

APL does not use negative feedback, no on-amps and no capacitors in the signal road. Mechanical relays and other contacts are also excluded from the actual signal path. The internal signal wiring consists of solid oxygen-free copper.

The power supply has also been treated seriously accordingly. The DSD-MR SE features an oversized balanced P-Core transformer, a delayed power supply for the pipe staircase and a high-quality Lundahl choke. The high voltage is only fully switched on after the pipes have been heated up, which also improves the life of the tubes.

 

Ideal partner for the DNP-SR SE

 

In addition to USB, AES/EBU, coaxial and optical, the DSD-MR SE has two APL DTR inputs . Through this balanced digital connection it can be directly linked to the APL DNP-SR SE network player.

 

This makes the DNP-SR SE and DSD-MR SE a very nice digital front end: the DNP provides streaming and network display, while the DSD-MR SE focuses entirely on digital processing and analogue conversion. APL explicitly calls the DNP-SR SE itself the streaming partner for the DSD-MR SE.

 

The DSD-MR SE also has a high-quality digital volume control. This allows it to be connected directly to an amplifier if it so wishes and to act as a digital power station of a minimalist high-end system.

 

The construction is equally impressive. The all-aluminum chassis has a 20 mm thick milling front panel, a large Noritake FLD display and is operated with a solid aluminium remote control. With a weight of no less than 24.5 kg, it is also physically clear that APL has left little to chance in this model.

 

The DSD-MR SE is therefore not a DAC that only tries to pull as much detail from a recording as possible. The design philosophy focuses on natural timbres, spatiality, dynamics and a smooth presentation in which the technique disappears to the background as much as possible.

 

An exceptional reference DAC and a rarely offered opportunity to obtain the former Master Reference model of APL Hi-Fi at a fraction of its original news price.

 

In excellent condition and complete with packaging.

Technical specifications

Specification	APL Hi-Fi DSD-MR SE
Type	Reference D/A converter
Digital processing	Proprietary PCM-to-DSD
PCM →	DSD128 / DSD256 / DSD512
USB PCM	up to 32-bit / 384 kHz
USB DSD DoP	up to DSD128
USB Native DSD	up to DSD512
Coax / AES/EBU / Toslink	up to 24-bit / 192 kHz
DTR inputs	2 × proprietary balanced I²S
Coaxial inputs	2 × RCA
AES/EBU	1 × XLR
Optical	1 × Toslink
USB	Yes
Master Clock	Ultra-low-jitter Femto
Analog output stage	Pure Class A, differentieel, ECC99
Output transformers	Custom Lundahl OFC
Negative feedback	None
On-amp signal road	None
Condensators signal road	None
Outputs	RCA + balanced XLR
Baseline level	2,5 V RMS @ 0 dBFS
Output impedance	approx. 100 Ω
Power supply	Oversized balanced P-Core
Tube PSU choke	Lundahl
Netentree	Furutech NCF
Dimensions B × H × D	450 × 120 × 380 mm
Height incl. feet	140 mm
Weight	24,5 kg
Remote control	Aluminium IR remote