Our take on the PS Audio Digital Link III
Digital music sources make it easy for us to hear more music in more places, but they can also rob music of its realism. One culprit is the cheap digital-to-analog converter, or DAC, hidden away inside our CD players, DVD players and computers. It's the DAC's job to convert digital bits back into music, and how well it performs can mean the difference between thin, threadbare sound and a richly detailed musical presentation. This is where PS Audio's amazing Digital Link III DAC comes in.
You've never heard CDs sound this good
The Digital Link III connects to your disc player's digital output — and it will re-connect you with your favorite CDs. Even long-familiar tracks may surprise you, opening up to reveal a spacious, three-dimensional soundstage alive with warmth and rhythmic energy. The sound is built on a rock-solid foundation of taut, tuneful bass. This DAC has impressed many of Crutchfield's veteran audiophiles.
Turn your computer into a high-end music source
You can hook up your computer to the Digital Link III's USB input and enjoy the same sonic benefits with the music stored on your PC. This DAC works wonders with uncompressed WAV and AIFF files, as well as lossless files. And even low-res files sound more fleshed out — not just listenable but actually enjoyable. The Digital Link III performs much better than even high-quality sound cards, which are handicapped by having to operate in the noisy environment inside your PC.
More ways to enjoy more music
Want to enjoy unbelievable sound quality from your iPod®? Just combine the Digital Link III with the Wadia 170iTransport iPod dock, which allows you to bypass the iPod's built-in DAC. Think about the hundreds or thousands of songs on your iPod. Now think about hearing them anew. The Digital Link III also opens the door to dramatically better sound from music streaming devices like Sonos®, Squeezebox™, and Apple TV.
Highlights:
- 3 digital audio inputs — optical, coaxial, and USB (Type B)
- RCA outputs and balanced XLR outputs
- built-in driver for USB connection
- Texas Instruments (formerly Burr Brown) PCM1798DB DAC
- 192kHz/24-bit processor with 8X oversampling filter
- user-selectable 96kHz or 192kHz sample rate
- FET-based discrete output stage
- built-in high-end power supply with oversized toroidal transformer
- THD: 0.0005%
- dynamic range: 123 dB
- detachable power cord
- weight: 10 lbs.
- 8-9/16"W x 2-13/16"H x 15-15/16"D
- warranty: 3 years (with product registration)
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
