Krell Vanguard Universal DAC: The Ultimate Digital Source for Hi-fi Audio

Unmatched Digital PerformancE & Versatility

Krell Vanguard Universal DAC: The Ultimate Digital Source for High-Resolution Audio

Unleashing the Full Potential of Your Digital Music

The Krell Vanguard Universal DAC is designed to be the centerpiece of your high-end audio system, offering a versatile and powerful solution for all your digital music needs. Whether you're streaming high-resolution audio, playing CDs, or enjoying your favorite movies, the Vanguard DAC ensures that every digital source is reproduced with exceptional clarity, detail, and dynamics.

Superior Digital-to-Analog Conversion

At the heart of the Vanguard DAC is a state-of-the-art ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC, renowned for its ability to deliver pristine sound quality. This advanced DAC chip supports a wide range of digital formats, including PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD, ensuring that you can enjoy your high-resolution music library in its full glory. The result is a sound that is both detailed and natural, with a level of realism that brings your music to life.

Versatile Digital Source Compatibility

The Vanguard DAC is designed to handle a wide variety of digital sources with ease. It features multiple digital inputs, including USB, coaxial, and optical, as well as HDMI inputs and outputs with 4K UHD passthrough, making it an ideal hub for your audio and video systems. Whether you're connecting a CD player, a streaming device, or your TV, the Vanguard DAC ensures that every source is optimized for the best possible sound quality.

Discover the Essence of Digital Precision

At Krell, we understand that true audiophiles and discerning music lovers seek more than just technology—they seek an experience. The Vanguard DAC delivers on this promise by providing a seamless blend of digital precision and immersive sound. Every detail in your digital music collection is brought to life with unparalleled clarity and depth, offering a listening experience that is as engaging as it is accurate.

Advanced Engineering & Elegant Design

Built-In Network Streaming & Roon Ready

The Krell Vanguard DAC goes beyond traditional digital-to-analog conversion by incorporating built-in network streaming capabilities. With support for popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, you can access your favorite music directly from the DAC. Additionally, the Vanguard DAC is Roon Ready, allowing seamless integration with your Roon-based system for a complete and intuitive music management experience.

High-Performance Circuitry & Power Supply

Krell’s commitment to audio excellence is evident in the meticulous design of the Vanguard DAC’s internal circuitry. The DAC features fully balanced, discrete Class A circuitry throughout its analog stages, ensuring the highest level of sound purity and accuracy. A robust linear power supply with a large toroidal transformer provides the stable, clean power necessary for optimal performance, eliminating noise and interference that can degrade sound quality.

Elegant Design & User-Friendly Interface

The Vanguard DAC combines high-performance audio with a sleek, elegant design that will complement any high-end audio system. The front panel features a clear, intuitive display that allows easy access to all functions and settings. The DAC is also controllable via Krell’s dedicated app for iOS and Android devices, providing a convenient way to manage your digital music collection and customize your listening experience.

Experience High-Resolution Audio Like Never Before

With the Krell Vanguard Universal DAC, you can unlock the full potential of your digital music collection. Discover new details in your favorite recordings, enjoy the expansive dynamics of high-resolution audio, and immerse yourself in a soundstage that is both deep and wide. The Vanguard DAC is more than just a digital source—it’s a gateway to a new level of audio performance.

  • General Specifications:

    • DAC Chip: ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M)

    • Supported Digital Formats:

      • PCM: Up to 24-bit/192kHz

      • DSD: DSD64, DSD128

    • Output Level: 4.5 V RMS (balanced), 2.25 V RMS (single-ended)

    • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0, -0.1 dB

    • Signal to Noise Ratio: > 110 dB, A-weighted

    • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.005% at 1 kHz

    • Gain: 14 dB (XLR), 8 dB (RCA)

    • Crosstalk: > 90 dB (10 kHz)

    • Input Impedance: 100 kOhms (balanced), 50 kOhms (single-ended)

    • Power Consumption: 35 watts

    Digital Inputs:

    • 1 x USB Type-B: For computer audio

    • 2 x Coaxial: RCA, 75 ohms

    • 2 x Optical: Toslink

    • 1 x HDMI Input: 4K UHD passthrough

    • 1 x HDMI Output: 4K UHD passthrough with ARC

    • 1 x Ethernet: RJ45 for network streaming

    • 1 x Bluetooth: AptX (for wireless streaming)

    Analog Outputs:

    • 2 x Balanced XLR

    • 2 x Single-ended RCA

    Network and Streaming:

    • Streaming Services Supported: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify

    • Roon Ready: Yes

    • File Formats Supported: FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA

    Control Options:

    • Remote Control: Included

    • App Control: Krell Connect app for iOS and Android

    • Trigger Input: 12 VDC (for remote power on/off)

    Physical Specifications:

    • Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.3 in (439 mm) x 3.8 in (97 mm) x 16.2 in (411 mm)

    • Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg)

    • Finish: Silver

    Features:

    • Fully Balanced Discrete Class A Analog Circuitry

    • Linear Power Supply with Toroidal Transformer

    • Advanced Clocking System: Reduces jitter for improved sound quality

    • HDMI 2.0 Compatibility: Supports 4K video passthrough

    • Built-In Network Streaming: Access to high-resolution music services

    Certifications:

    • ROHS: Compliant

    • CE: Compliant

    • FCC: Compliant

Experience the Future of High-Resolution Audio

The Vanguard DAC is not just a product; it's a gateway to the future of high-resolution audio. With its advanced engineering and user-friendly design, it’s the perfect companion for those who value both innovation and quality. Whether you're optimizing your current system or building something new, the Vanguard DAC ensures that your investment in high-performance audio yields the best possible returns.