DACS Clarity HeadMaster D-A Converter and Monitor Controller

A reference monitor controller for critical listening; the Clarity HeadMaster is a D-A converter, monitor controller and headphone amplifier. D-A conversion from Crookwood coupled with DACS’ renowned clarity and detail in the analogue domain, creates a uniquely impressive, multi-purpose device.

Ideal for recording, mastering and mixing engineers and producers, the Headmaster has been designed for critical listening from a variety of analogue and digital sources.

For more information, see the HeadMaster news item on the  website.Sound on Sound (November 2009)

Technical Specifications

The unit has four inputs: AES/EBU, SP/DIF, balanced analogue and unbalanced analogue. The analogue inputs use THAT InGenius® balanced input ICs providing 90dB CMRR, DC coupling and THD+N figures of around 0.0015% input to output. Inputs are selected using the stainless steel front panel switches with LED indicators.

HeadMaster’s outputs include two headphone outputs (one on the front panel, and one on the rear) and two selectable monitor outputs. The headphone and monitor outputs have independent volume control and are fitted with conductive plastic pots.

The rear panel features a fixed level balanced analogue output from the D-A input, with digital FSD set to provide and output of +18dBu. The headphone output uses DACS’ renowned Clarity headphone driver circuit. The balanced outputs are DACS’ high performance driver circuits.

The Crookwood D-A uses a technique that makes it impervious to jitter on the incoming signal, and provides unobtrusive anti-aliasing filtering. The result is a clean accurate audio output, unaffected by jitter, or other digital anomalies. It simply does not get any better than this.