Allo Revolution DAC (USB-DAC for Windows and Linux / Raspberry Pi)

The Allo Revolution DAC is a world-class USB DAC that offers the best sound quality and gives audiophile enthusiasts the choice to match the converter perfectly to their own system and music.

The Revolution DAC supports sample rates up to PCM 384kHz, DSD512 and uses 32-bit processing. It can be operated with Windows as well as Linux/Raspberry Pi. 

Revolution DAC in detail

The audiophile community is one big family united by the love of music. For a long time, however, opinions have diverged as to how audio hardware should be judged: objectively by measurements or subjectively by the sound heard. With the Revolution DAC, Allo makes an ambitious attempt to unite both camps.

Fans of clear measurements will be pleased to hear that the Revolution achieves excellent -114.5dB for THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise).

This measured value has two components: The noise and the harmonic distortion. Due to their tonal character, THDs have a greater effect on the subjective experience of sound than the noise that is equally distributed over the spectrum. The THD ratio reaches an extraordinary -123dB.  This makes the Revolution one of the best DACs with RCA connectors in the world.

It is also remarkable that the distortion factor does not increase over the audible frequency range, which clearly contributes to a more pleasing sound.

Much time was spent to the subjective experience of sound during development. The important decisions were made with the ears, so to speak. In order to get as close as possible to the optimal sound, experiments were carried out with carefully selected components. It is interesting to note that this ear-led development ultimately led to measurable improvements.

The ES9038 chip is the heart of the Revolution DAC. The circuits of ESS are known for their high sound quality. The ES9038 chip is one of the best chips from ESS. It has a reputation of having a character, a bright sound. Even if these are only subtle nuances, the bright character might appeal to some listeners and to others not. The Revolution's special design allows you to choose whether it should sound DAC neutral or ES9038-characteristically bright:

OSF Bypass

The oversampling filter can be switched off. Some listeners feel this improves the sound quality. The oversampling filter (filter on = bypass off) is usually used to reduce aliasing. Note: If the filter is switched off (bypass = on), the hardware volume control is no longer usable.

H2/H3 Harmonic Control

Harmonic components of THD can be tweaked (increased) from the “best THD value”. Why? Simply because harmonic components are known to introduce a euphonic effect. (Hence, increased harmonics sound better in our ears, even though the measures are slightly worse).

Jitter Reduction

Of course, the Revolution DAC has two separate clocks to provide the perfect clock for most playback formats and sample rates. Additionally, it has a switchable jitter suppression.

POPMUTE

Disturbing crackling, which could occur when starting/stopping playback or changing the sample rate, is effectively suppressed via POPMUTE. The control time of POPMUTE can be selected in 6 steps in the range of 0 - 1/10 second.

Filter characteristics

1. The filter characteristic is adjustable in seven variants.
2. Linear phase fast roll-off filter
3. Linear phase slow roll-off filter (best THD+N default)
4. Minimum phase fast roll-off filter
5. Minimum phase slow roll-off filter
6. Apodizing fast roll-off filter
7. Corrected minimum phase fast roll-off filter
8. Brick wall filter

At a glance:

• USB Digital Analog Converter for Windows and Linux (Raspberry Pi)
• ESS ES9038 with 32-bit HyperStreamDAC technology
• Maximum sampling rate PCM 384kHz, DSD512
• Input Micro-USB
• Output RCA (Cinch)
• Stereo
• Power supply DC hollow connector 5.5 / 2.1mm - 5V (not included in delivery)
• Colour: Black

Optional accessories (not included in delivery)

• Remote control
• Flex Cable for USBridge Signature for Revolution DAC
• Audiophile power supply Allo Nirvana
• Audiophile power supply unit Allo Shanti

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