Aries Cerat Helene DAC

Description

Helene is a stunning new DAC from Aries Cerat featuring a 8 R2R matrix from Analog Devices and SET analog output stage and valve regulators. This DAC is packed with the finest componments and the end result is nothing short of breath taking.

The Helene is our newst and smallest d/a converter coming out of our labs. Borrowing technology from the Kassandra Series ,and with the addition of some tricks of it's own,we can guarantee that the Helene sets new unreachable marks for performance vs price ratio.

Descending from Kassandra Series,the converter banks are implemented around a matrix of eight R2R ladder d/ac (per channel),running in parallel.The two independent banks use eight R2R matrixes from the Analog Devices AD1865NK ,in current mode.

These are driven by our custom logic that handle the sync ,data and work buses. The SuperClock technology used in our bigger models is also standard in our Helene dac, negating the use and need of an external aftermarket Word Clock. The USB input is double Recklocked as well as the digital inputs using the internal SuperClocks of the converter.The digital input Reclocker is as before,bypassable on the fly.

The converter uses no data processing,upsampling or oversampling ,data is converted in their native sample rate and bit rate.

Converter banks run in current output ,thus IV convertion stage quality is detrimental to the SQ.The IV (current to voltage) stage iis implemented by a special IV transformer with custom ultra high MU core,directly modulating the bias circuits of the analog tube stage.

The analog stage is again borrowed by the bigger models,and is a small SET amplifier,build around the E280F supertube,loaded by a custom special quality output transformer.

The analog stage PSU uses /tube rectification using the GZ34 rectifier, while triple choke/film capacitors provide very low noise voltage rails for the SET amplifier.The tube is biased with triple filtered ultra low noise bias circuits.

Power supplies of the digital and analog sections of the converter system are carefully designed around massive capacitor banks and extensive RF choking filters,distributed in all points of the circuit.