Thank you for choosing the sonaDAC and welcome to the extended family if this is your
first Peachtree Audio product! Our mission is simple: to make exceptional audio products
at affordable prices. Products that utilize a unique blend of cosmetic design, high-quality
materials, and intuitive user interface and most importantly; sublime sound quality.
Products for people like us… people that love to listen!
The sonaDAC is designed to be the hub of an all-digital system and can be thought of as
three products in one: a state-of-the art Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a class-A line-
level preamplifier and a high-performance headphone amplifier all contained in a small,
beautiful and easy-to-use chassis.
The heart of the DAC is the reference ESS 9018K2M that is compatible with input signals
up to 32-Bit/384kHz. This includes all the standard and “high-res” PCM formats up to 24-
Bit/352kHz and DSD signals up to 5.6MHz, also known as DSD128 or double-rate DSD.
But perhaps more importantly, the DAC is driven by a comprehensive power supply with
large reserves and multiple points of regulation to ensure that all digital signals are
converted to analog as accurately as possible with maximum dynamic range and minimum
noise so the gear won’t interfere with your enjoyment of the music.
The preamplifier in the sonaDAC is a fully balanced, dual differential design utilizing
discrete components and isolated signal paths driving the RCA and XLR outputs. The
circuit is derived from our critically acclaimed Grand Pre X-1 and it does not utilize any op-
amps or DC servos. This provides extremely pure and powerful audio outputs that can
drive the power amplifier to its full potential while maintaining the signal integrity and detail
afforded by the DAC circuitry.
The sonaDAC also includes a useful feature that bypasses the volume control for use with
input devices that include their own volume control. Want to use the volume control on
your mobile phone or tablet instead of the one built into the sonaDAC? No problem! Turn
the volume control bypass feature on for that input and control your system volume level
wirelessly from your mobile device app. This makes using streaming devices like the
SONOS connect much easier since the sonaDAC volume control is disengaged.
For the times you would rather listen privately, the sonaDAC includes an impressive
headphone amplifier. It is designed to sound sublime and to easily drive high-
performance, high-impedance or low sensitivity headphones. The signal path is very short
and direct with only a small buffer between the DAC and the headphone amplifier. This
allows for stunning clarity even when listening through modestly priced headphones. You
will likely hear the smaller details in your music through your headphones that you never
knew was there before!
Please take a few minutes to review this manual and visit www.peachtreeaudio.com to
register your sonaDAC with us. Your information will not be shared and we will only
contact you with news that is directly relevant to you! If you have additional questions or
feedback please contact your dealer, distributor or Peachtree Audio directly.
We sincerely hope that you love your sonaDAC and that it brings you many years of
enjoyment. Thank you again for supporting Peachtree Audio and happy listening!
- Your friends at Peachtree Audio
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INTRODUCTION
