Despite the name being unfamiliar among domestic audiophiles, Sofia-based Antelope Audio makes arguably the world's finest clocks and pro digital equipment, including the Rubidium-driven 10M. Given that the company's knowledge of and experience in tackling jitter is second to none, it's perhaps surprising they've taken this long to release a DAC. Maybe it's taken years to get it right. However, it's been worth the wait: all Zodiac models offer Trinity-level de-jitter technology for the highest levels of resistance to computer transport issues. This means that, in practice, they belong to a tiny, exclusive group of converters that genuinely level differences between jitter-inducing upstream alterations to hardware or software. Inevitably, they are not immune to galvanic noise corruption, so the addition of a high quality USB cable – or, ideally, a USB power isolator – and Antelope's optional three-stage 'Voltikus' linear power supply are both worthwhile upgrades.
| |
Antelope Zodiac |
Antelope Zodiac Plus |
Antelope Zodiac Gold |
D/A Chip: |
BurrBrown PCM1792A |
BurrBrown PCM1792A |
BurrBrown PCM1792A |
| |
64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) |
64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) |
64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) |
| |
Antelope Oven-Controlled clock |
Antelope Oven-Controlled clock |
Antelope Oven-Controlled clock |
Outputs: |
RCA single-ended output |
RCA single-ended output |
RCA single-ended output |
|
XLR balanced output with trim pots |
XLR balanced output with trim pots |
XLR balanced output with trim pots |
| |
Ultra linear, dual stage headphone amp |
Ultra linear, dual stage headphone amp |
Ultra linear, dual stage headphone amp |
| |
|
De-jittered digital output over AES/EBU and S/PDIF |
De-jittered digital output over AES/EBU and S/PDIF |
Inputs: |
Two coaxial (SPDIF) digital inputs |
Two coaxial (SPDIF) digital inputs |
Two coaxial (SPDIF) digital inputs |
|
Two optical (Toslink) digital inputs |
Two optical (Toslink) digital inputs |
Two optical (Toslink) digital inputs |
|
Custom 24/96 USB Mini-B digital input. No drivers required for Windows or Mac OS. |
Antelope-bespoke 24/192 asynchronous USB Mini-B digital input. No drivers required for Windows or Mac OS. |
Antelope-bespoke 24/384 asynchronous USB (standard B) digital input. No drivers required for Windows and Mac |
| |
|
BNC word clock input |
BNC word clock input |
| |
|
Single-ended analog preamp inputs (RCA) |
Single-ended analog preamp inputs (RCA) |
| |
|
Balanced analog preamp inputs (1/4" TRS) |
Balanced analog preamp inputs (1/4" TRS) |
Power: |
Standard switching 18V AC/DC power-brick. Voltikus three-stage linear supply optional |
Standard switching 18V AC/DC power-brick. Voltikus three-stage linear supply optional |
Standard switching 18V AC/DC power-brick. Volticus three-stage linear supply optional |
| |
|
|
Upgraded 0.05dB matched stepped relay attenuator |
| |
|
|
Re-designed analog output stage |
| |
|
|
Switchable (120/0 ohm) HP amp impedance |
| |
|
|
Unibody machine aluminium remote control |
Antelope Zodiac DACs are usually available for free home demonstration: