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Features
The e68 DAC is based on the ES9038PRO reference DAC chip. It delivers 32-bit precision capable of
resolving the smallest signal details. The chip features patented 32-bit HyperStream technology.
ES9038PRO delivers the industry’s highest performance levels that will satisfy the most demanding
audio enthusiasts.
Windows ASIO Driver
Using ASIO brings unique advantages that are hard to achieve with other Windows driver technologies.
Mac OS High-Performance Driver
We offer a custom high-performance Mac OS driver supporting PCM sampling rates from 44.1kHz to
384kHz at 32bit resolution. We support DSD over PCM 1.0 standard at the following sampling rates:
DSD64 (2.8224/3.072 MHz), DSD128 (5.6448/6.144 MHz) and DSD256 (11.2896/12.288 MHz).
Proprietary Mac ASIO driver offers DSD512 in Stereo Mode
ASIO brings unique capabilities to the MAC OS platform. exaSound's proprietary ASIO implementation is
completely independent from the Core Audio sound system and always operates in Integer / Exclusive
Mode. ASIO supports native DSD, while Core Audio drivers rely on the DoP workaround (DSD over PCM).
ASIO is more efficient and causes a lower CPU load.
At this time our proprietary ASIO drivers on Mac are supported only by Roon and HQplayer 3.
Bit-perfect operation independent from the Windows volume control and mixer
The Windows volume control and mixer are optimized to provide wide compatibility and easiness of
use. These features come at the expense of sonic fidelity. The resulting output may not be bit-perfect or
bit-transparent.
Asynchronous USB mode eliminates jitter caused by the PC or the USB interface
Asynchronous USB is a two-way communication method between a computer and an external DAC.
e68 controls the rate at which audio data is transmitted over USB. Rather than being sent as a
continuous stream, as is the case with standard USB audio interfaces, the data is sent in packets. If a
streaming error is detected, the faulty packet is retransmitted. Packet retransmission for error
correction is possible because audio data is streamed at speed higher than the playback speed.
The incoming data is stored in a large memory buffer. The data is then clocked out of this buffer by the
e68 high-precision master clock. Re-clocking guarantees a very high accuracy and precision of data
timing. It completely eliminates jitter caused by computer timing errors and the USB data transport. An
added bonus to using packet based streaming over USB is the ability to send and receive control
information along with the audio data. This is how volume control instructions are exchanged between
the e68 DAC and the computer/streamer.
Hardware Volume Control and Volume Bypass
The e68 DAC volume is controlled by the ES9038PRO DAC chip. It is completely independent from the
Windows software volume control. Audio data is always bitstreamed over the USB interface at full scale
0db/32bit resolution. Volume processing is performed by the DAC chip right at the border between the
