Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Digital Inputs: SPDIF, BNC, AES, Opt., USB, I2S
  • Analog Outputs: RCA unbalanced, XLR unbalanced(pin1,3grounded)
  • Resolution: 24 bit(R2R discrete) 384khz max. sampling rate
  • Nominal Output: 2.8V rms
  • Power Consumption: 40 W
  • Dimensions: 400x180x400 (WxHxD)mm
  • Weight: 25 Kgr
The DAC1000 and DAC1000SE are no oversampling digital to analog converters. They have 6 inputs, Coax,BNC,AES and Optical capable of PCM 24/192 and USB and I2S through HDMI connector capable of PCM 24/384. The USB can accept also DSD music files from a computer or server up to DSD256 and convert them natively without converting to PCM.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • A core tenet of Ypsilon's design approach is the utilization of custom-wound, in-house manufactured transformers for critical functions like signal attenuation, inter-stage coupling, and power supplies, allowing for precise control over the sonic characteristics.
  • Ypsilon often employs hybrid circuit topologies, blending tubes in input and driver stages with MOSFETs in the output stage, aiming to achieve a balance of sonic purity and power.
  • A distinguishing feature of Ypsilon preamplifiers is their transformer-based volume control, eschewing traditional resistor-based attenuators in favor of a custom-designed transformer attenuator with multiple taps for precise and transparent volume adjustment.

Phaethon

  • Positioning: A high-end integrated amplifier combining features from monoblock and preamplifier designs.
  • Description: Offers a hybrid design with a "bridged single-ended" output stage, providing the warmth of single-ended designs with the power of push-pull configurations. It is ideal for users seeking a compact solution with high-end sound quality, suitable for medium-sized rooms and those who value remote control functionality. Compared to the Hyperion and Aelius, it is more compact and integrates preamplifier features, making it a versatile choice for those with moderate budgets.

Aelius II Monoblock

  • Positioning: A high-power monoblock amplifier designed for transparency and musical involvement.
  • Description: Features a push-pull hybrid design with a wide bandwidth transformer, ensuring excellent transparency and control over speakers. Compared to the Hyperion, it offers a more refined sound with a focus on musical involvement.

SET 100 Ultimate

  • Positioning: A flagship single-ended class A hybrid amplifier with exceptional detail and natural sound.
  • Description: Combines the midrange qualities of small S.E.T amplifiers with exceptional detail and scale, using a unique s-e mosfet output stage. Compared to the Aelius and Hyperion, it offers a more direct and three-dimensional sound.

Hyperion

  • Positioning: A high-power hybrid monoblock amplifier with a focus on dynamics and transparency.
  • Description: Delivers over 370W of power with a "balanced-single-ended" output stage, offering effortless drive and dynamics. Compared to the Aelius and SET 100, it provides a more powerful output.
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Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
3
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
345
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
9
Founding Year
1995

Our take on the brand

Ypsilon's amplifiers feature a unique hybrid approach that combines tube and solid-state technologies in a minimalist circuit design with only two gain stages, delivering the sonic purity of single-ended designs with the power of push-pull configurations.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

No items found.

What competes at this price?

Totaldac
d1-triunity
23089
/
Released
2023
The d1-triunity benefits from the new Totaldac "unity" DAC architecture, with about 290 components upgraded or added to the electronic boards. The d1-triunity is a d1-unity but with 3 R2R ladders per channel instead of one, giving a lower noise and the real scale of each instrument.
Check Amazon
Totaldac is known for using R-2R ladder DAC technology with discrete resistors and high-precision Vishay metal foil resistors, aiming to provide a more natural, analog-like sound without oversampling or digital filters. The brand appeals to audiophiles who prioritize listening experience over measurements, with their products delivering a rich, dense tone that many compare to live performances.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • The d1-triunity DAC is praised for its ability to reflect the core characteristics of music with purism and vibrancy
  • The 'unity' architecture provides more presence, more contrast between the timbres and sizes of each instrument, more clarity, and at the same time more body and more dynamics—making the sound more realistic and natural
  • Offers a richer, sweeter, fuller sound and a more spacious presentation compared to the d1-unity
  • Achieves dynamic power, low-frequency depth, and punch with a skillfully engineered Class-A output stage providing double the voltage
  • Transmits detail and nuance without sounding etched or bright, and provides great tonality, especially with acoustic instruments

Product Considerations

  • The chassis is constructed from folded steel and the rear panel is of a thin gauge, which makes the external construction less substantial than some rivals
  • Maximum resolution of 24-bit/192 kHz without the optional DSD module might be a limitation

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The d1-triunity brings improvements that make music sound more vibrant and alive, while offering a finer-grained view compared to the Totaldac d1-unity
  • The d1-triunity provides universal compatibility in terms of voltage output, and advances the sonic performance aspect compared to the Totaldac d1-direct

Takeaway: The d1-triunity is an impressive DAC that effortlessly handles music and makes it emotion-tugging with crystallizing quality. It offers remarkable musical insight without sacrificing speed and clarity, making it a worthwhile addition to any high-end audio system.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Totaldac is known for using R-2R ladder DAC technology with discrete resistors and high-precision Vishay metal foil resistors, aiming to provide a more natural, analog-like sound without oversampling or digital filters. The brand appeals to audiophiles who prioritize listening experience over measurements, with their products delivering a rich, dense tone that many compare to live performances.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
SW1X
DAC IV
25275
/
Released
2024
DAC IV is a further development in musical scale & refinement of the already magical sounding DAC III Balanced powered by Power Output Valves and Directly Heated Diodes (DHD) in the power supply. The DHD Valve power supplies are 2 x choke filtered and quasi dual mono in design. Accomodating everything in one chassis without interference of magnetic fields proved to be a real challenge but having everything housed in one chassis with much shorter signal paths turned out to be very rewarding in the end.
Check Amazon
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Notable focus and density to the midrange that is unparalleled compared to other DACs
  • Exceeding naturalness and deep detail
  • Top end is smooth, and the low end is present and provides a substantial foundation
  • More precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation

Product Considerations

  • The review unit lacked a USB input, only offering AES/EBU and S/PDIF over Coax as inputs
  • Might not suit audiophiles who prize dry, bright, or hard-sounding digital audio

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to solid-state DACs, the SW1X DAC IV Special has unparalleled focus and immediacy of dynamics, especially in the midrange
  • Compared to the SW1X DAC V—the DAC IV has a more precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation

Takeaway: The SW1X DAC IV Special could be the answer if one wants to feel more emotionally connected to their music and escape the constant analysis of typical audiophile listening. It's designed to provide a musically engaging experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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