For Immediate Release

exaSound Audio Design announces today’s launch of the e20 Mk II - the first high-end DAC capable of achieving DSD playback at sampling rate of 11.2896 MHz (DSD 256).

exaSound's DAC’s have always stayed ahead of the curve, and the latest e20’s DSD 256 capability not only goes beyond the capabilities of all other DAC’s on the market today, it is ahead of current recording technology. This ensures that audiophiles will be enjoying studio master files the way they were recorded – without down-sampling or down-conversion – well into the future, without equipment upgrades.

In addition to offering the highest digital audio resolution, the e20 DAC has jitter, distortion and noise levels that are vanishingly low, creating an astonishingly clean and analog-like sound – the difference is obvious, even with an ordinary CD. Detailed measurements, specifications and subjective impressions are available at exasound.com.

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"...For me, the exaSound e20 was a game-changer. It played standard PCM files extremely capably, but its greatest strength was its ability to play DSD files in their native format, which took my system to a new and higher level. The e20 is an attractive, compact, and clearly thoughtfully-designed example of a modern DAC. It produced a rich detailed sonic picture, with solid bass and extended high frequencies. I heartily recommend that if you’re in the market for a new DAC, you consider one with DSD-playback capability, ..."

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The purity of presentation through the exaSound e20 Mk II DAC was astonishing. DSD files which I had heard before as aggressive and somewhat bright through my Oppo105 player now sounded full, natural with inner details and smooth texture. The imaging was wider, with more space between instruments. Yet music just did not seem to appear from speakers as most often happens when the sound stage widens.

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I just finished comparing both of these units (Benchmark DAC2 and exaSound e20), along with the Mytek 192DSD, on a 30-day home trial. I kept the Exasound.

The Benchmark was solid, but, to my ears, the Exasound was better in most every way: more dynamic, more liquid and more detailed.

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My first opportunity to hear the exaSound e20 DSD/DXD/PCM DAC ($2500) did not disappoint. The company that self-effacingly identifies itself as "exaSound," with a small "e," played along with surprisingly extended Janszen 2A2.1 electrostatic loudspeakers ($7495/pair),, which are reputedly flat to 40Hz, and the Bryston Power Pac 250 amp ($2350) to deliver a beautiful smooth, wide soundstage on a DSD recording from Channel Classics.

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I have a system built around a pair of Spendor S100 speakers and a Jolida integrated >100W tube amp, and I must say that I could not discern any significant difference or improvement in sound between the Chordette QuteHD DSD DAC (that I have also been auditioning) and the entry-level FIIO E17 unit (using the Wolfson 8740 DAC). I was therefore skeptical that I would hear much or any difference in the sound between the e20 and the other DACs That said, I am happy to report that I do indeed consider that the e20 has improved my listening enjoyment in the form of greater perceived greater clarity. It as though a film has been removed from the sound.

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We showcased the e20 DAC in several rooms, each one geared to different musical preferences, to demonstrate its flexibility and range.    ...

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I received the e18 a while ago and I absolutely love it! It's exactly the piece of hardware I've been looking for since starting my home theatre PC project about 2 years ago. Running through my Anthem PVA7 power amp it sounds incredible. So much so that I took a day off work just after receiving the e18 so that I could watch some classic movies at THX-approved volumes and listen to some of my favourite tunes at similar volumes without the kids or the wife at home to complain about it!

So thanks heaps for supplying such an awesome unit. As I'm sure you've probably guessed by now, this is one that you're definitely not getting back! :)

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E20 directly into the Aleph is excellent. That was a surprise. Better resolution, better sound-stage, better dynamics. And just as sweet. You´re not getting it back.

E. Jensen,

Norway

Power amp: Pass Aleph
Speakers: Reference 3A Royal Master.
Preamp: Modwright LS100 

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Published at AudioCircle.com and ComputerAudiophile.com by RKlein

To my ears, the E20 gave the best presentation of the SABRE chip that i have heard to date. I realize that the Invicta DAC is getting excellent reviews as well. However, that DAC runs $1,500 more than the E20. I think the E20 at its price point is a very solid contender. So much so that I ordered one.

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Part One: First impressions (day 1-3)

My first impressions of the Exasound E20 DAC come with a slight (or maybe large, we’ll see) caveat.  Although Exasound includes a 12V brick laptop style power supply in this $2499 DAC so far all listening was done using a 3rd party upgraded linear power supply, my Hynes SR3-12.  It seemed a natural fit as it is already set for 12V and uses the same dc plug that the E20 needs.   This “upgrade-ability” is a big plus for DAC designs like the E20.  Think about it:  you get to spend $$ on the DAC design only, use the stock (medical grade) ps for awhile, and then save up for upgraditis.  Plus, the EMI is a good 1 meter away, as no transformer is enclosed inhouse (reminds me of the saying "when criticizing someone first walk a mile in their shoes"...that way when you criticize them you are a mile away...and have their shoes!!  :) )

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  Extract from a blog post on Supratek News If anyone tells you that 16 bit 44.1Khz is as good as 24 bit 384Khz , well you can believe their ...

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Excerpts from emails received from a satisfied e20 customer:   ...The e20 (mated with J. Rivers Media Center software) performs competitive...

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The solo violin DSD files are pure clear sound with nothing but that violin and Emily entrancing you, the sound of the bow on the strings very evident and even other normal within the Cathedral background sounds are whispering on the Glass tracks.

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The exaSound E20 is their flagship stereo DAC. It sells direct from their website for $2500 and is available as a free 30 day trial. First of all, no words can truly explain how good the E20 + Linkwitz Orion actually sounds. My system consists of the Orion 3.5 + Weight and Balance Mod (DIY Sonic Equivalent to the Orion 4.1). A Windows7 PC runs foobar2000 and JRiver Media Center controlled by JRemote on a retina ipad.

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For more than a year I have utilized the ‘exaDevices exaU2I Asynchronous USB to I2S Interface’ with my stock built Buffalo II/Legato3 combo (Twisted Pear Audio). The exaU2I allowed me to enjoy I2S PCM up to 384kHz or to be wired separately for DSD.DFF file playback up to 5.6MHz (with the included proprietary software). The exaU2I provided a more dependable and stable performance when mated to my BII DAC.

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Setting up Foobar2000 for ASIO DSD / DXD  Playback with exaSound DACs is straightforward. Experienced users probably won't need all the details below. We've included detailed step by step screenshots in case you experience difficulties.

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I had an e18 and decided to evaluate the E20 with my Orions to see if there would be much difference. I was honestly expecting little to no difference but holy mother of god.

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I'm using the exaSound e18 DAC as the centre piece of a digital cross-over. The system has a Windows 7 / J. River source with the native “convolution” function used to create sub, bass and mid-high in the digital domain which then sent to the e18 via USB. All the cross-overs have been designed in Acourate and volume control is done within e18. The speakers are Unity Horns with 15” pro-audio mid-/bass bins and a pair of stereo woofers.

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Greg Tiller  |   tiller@cs.dal.ca   |   Part 1   |   August 14, 2012

 

I've owned my PSB Stratus gold-i's since 1999. They have gone through various sources and amplifiers, concluding with a Lynx L22 soundcard / NAD C272 power amplifier. The L22 was used in a recording studio. I decided to sell off all my studio gear and start researching a serious Two-Channel upgrade. I've done some mixing and mastering and have always loved good music, whether a great performance, or a great technical presentation. I've also learned (the hard way) how bad mixing or mastering can ruin an otherwise good recording. This time I wanted to step back, and enjoy the benefits of everyone else's work.

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By Matt Ashland, originally published at the J River MediaCenter Interact Forum on Jun 29, 2012.

Overview

As a result of this thread, I contacted several manufacturers of nice audio hardware.

George Klissarov, the owner of exaSound, was one of the first to reply.  He sent me an e18 demo unit right away.  Then he worked with me on several e18 + JRiver issues, helping improve the experience for both of our users.

The e18 is an audiophile 8 channel DAC.  It competes primarily with other expensive audiophile DACs.  More information here: http://www.exasound.com/e18DAC/Overview.aspx

The e18 particularly excites me because most audiophile gear is 2 channel only.  George went so far as to say he's had a tough time getting reviewers to look at the 8-channel e18 (even in two channel mode) because they focus on 2-channel DACs only.  

This is totally lost on me.  If you ever watch a movie, you need more than two channels.  If you want a subwoofer, you should have more than two channels.  If you ever bi-amp or tri-amp, you need more than two channels.  If you have SACD or other HD audio, it often uses more than two channels.  And even if you don't need extra channels, they future proof your purchase.

Good Stuff

Flawless driver design
The e18 has the best driver I have encountered.  I believe less-is-more from audio drivers.  I want the driver to be reliable, bit-transparent, and otherwise get out of my way.  If you've ever configured a Creative card to be bit-transparent and get channel routing right, you'll understand why this is important (it's a nightmare to configure the Creative, and many other cards, in my opinion).

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User Testimonial  - Craig Young

I started out on a quest for an integrated DVR/video and high-end digital-audio solution in the form of a home theatre PC (HTPC).  The audio side required 6 channels to support 5.1 surround sound movies and must be audiophile quality for my music.  It must output the analogue audio as RCA line-level to my hi-fi power-amps.

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exaSound Audio Design is proud to introduce the e18 DAC –  the first 8 channel 384kHz/32bit asynchronous USB device designed for audiophiles interested in playing DXD studio masters files.

The e18 DAC supports stereo and 8-channel modes at sampling rates up to 384kHz/32bit with remarkable bit-perfect low-jitter accuracy. The e18 delivers reference performance for high-end stereo, digital crossovers and cutting-edge audiophile multichannel applications.

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An article from www.stereophile.com By Robert Deutsch • Posted  Mar 26, 2012

Another interesting product featured in the Canada Pavilion was the exaSound e18DAC ($1999). It is, as the name implies, a DAC, but it's much more than that. Featuring a maximum 384kHz/32-bit sample rate and bit depth, it can function in stereo and 8-channel modes, and has a formidable list of technical specifications

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An article from www.soundstageglobal.com by Hans WetzelHans Wetzel 

I think I'm in the majority when I say that if I don't like the way an audio product works, I'm far more likely to bitch about it than to go and try to build something better. And yet George Klissarov has done just that. The resurgence of the DAC as a vehicle for computer-based audio has lead to a proliferation of the little converters, many of which rely on the same few chipsets.

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