K5 Pro ESS Edition Desktop DAC and Amplifier

High-performance DAC ES9038Q2M | XMOS decoding

Specially-designed audio architecture | Supports 768k/32bit, DSD512

3 gain levels | 1.5W large power | Coaxial/Optical/RCA line inputs 6.35mm/RCA line outputs | RGB indicator lights

Next-generation DAC for unrivalled internals

The K5 Pro ESS employs the flagship portable ESS DAC, the ES9038Q2M with more outstanding performance and richer audio details. Compared to the last gen, the distortion has reduced by 50%, the crosstalk for LO has increased by 6dB with greater channel separation, and the dynamic range has increased by 3dB.

768k and native DSD512 support

The XMOS XUF208 USB decoding chip equipped with the clock matching management system, allows decoding up to a sample rate of 768kHz and native DSD512.  

Both coaxial/digital inputs present

No matter what audio equipment you use, digital audio inherently has advantages in integrity and fidelity of signals transmitted. The K5 Pro ESSallows you to take advantage of digital audio with optical and coaxial inputs supporting up to 96kHz inputs, convenient for connecting various music players and digital interfaces.

Specially-designed audio architecture for true high-fidelity sound

When it comes to amplification, the K5 Pro ESSis no slouch. The K5 Pro ESShas generous space to fit and package the necessary components for exceptional analog amplification, and packs a four-level audio circuit capable of providing extraordinary audio fidelity in its class: second-order LPF + analog volume adjustment + voltage amplification + current drive. Each part of the amplification circuit works perfectly together in harmony for excellent dynamic range and high resolution of sound.

Safe, secure, and robust external power supply

The K5 Pro ESS uses a DC 15V power supply designed to specifically minimize noise. The incoming DC power is filtered with a secondary power supply, which then independently supplies power to the amplification part of the audio circuit and the rest of the circuit. This effectively suppresses power supply ripple and minimizes power supply crosstalk between the two major sections of the circuit, for a more stable and less noisy power that is crucial for outstanding sound for such a precisely-designed high performance audio architecture. 

Accurate volume adjustment, impeccable detail cares

Through reconstruction of the ADC curve, the K5 Pro ESS’s volume control allows you to smoothly adjust volume at extremely fine increments without any undesirable noise nor with any channel imbalances. With the K5 Pro ESS, you can comfortably use various headphones with all kinds of sensitivities.

3 gain levels for unlimited possibilities

Both the input selection and gain are controlled by tactile toggle switches, which are clearly labelled allowing you to easily control your music. Low, medium, and high gain levels are available allowing you to use the K5 Pro ESSwith almost any headphone at comfortable volume levels. A pure hardware gain circuit is used at low gain, with unaffected and uncompromised dynamic range and overall music fidelity.

Minimalist yet full of personality

The one-piece all-metal oversized volume knob is seamlessly integrated within the aluminum front panel, allowing you to easily and comfortably control volume. The RGB light indicator that surrounds the volume knob lights up with different colors according to the current sample rate, giving a lively splash of color that perfectly complements the minimalism of the rest of the K5ProESS.

48kHz and below ——Blue light

48kHz and above ——Yellow light

DSD——Green light

Getting precise with toggle switches

Both the input selection and gain are controlled by tactile toggle switches, which are clearly labelled allowing you to easily control your music.

3 gain levels: Low 0dB, Medium+6dB, High +10dB

3 input modes: USB DAC, SPDIF IN, LINE IN

Highly useful beyond imagination

Wide variety of inputs and outputs

· Desktop DAC and amplifier – like a USB sound card + full-sized headphones

· DAC for external sources -like a USB sound card +active speakers

· Powerful amplifier for mobile devices– Connect your phone via USB OTG, or connect your player via coaxial

Extremely powerful headphone amplification

The carefully-tuned feedforward amplifier circuit design increases the power output of the TPA6120 op-amp by more than 60%, for a total power output of up to 1.5 W under a 32Ω load, and up to 20Vpp at 300Ω. The K5 Pro ESSeasily handles any low or high impedance headphones.

RCA line-out for high quality output to other sources

Besides the wide variety of digital inputs, the K5 Pro ESSalso features a traditional analog RCA line-in. RCA line-in is not only more robust and less prone to breakage than 3.5mm line-in, it also has better resolution. The RCA line-out line signal is adjustable up to a maximum of 2V, so the K5 Pro ESScan be used with a variety of active speakers and external amplifiers.

*When using the line out, please disconnect your headphones

K5 Pro ESS parameters

DAC chip: ES9038Q2M

USB decoding chip: XMOS XUF208

Headphone output power: ≥1.5W (32Ω)

Output impedance: 1.2Ω (PO)

THD+N: ＜0.0009% (UAC IN/SPDIF IN)

Noise floor: ＜8uV (A-weighted)

SNR: ≥118dB

Channel separation: ＞80dB (USB DAC/OPT/COX)

Audio out: RCA/6.35mm

Audio in: USB-B/OPT/COAX/RCA

DSD: supports native DSD 64/128/256/512

Weight: About 480g

Dimensions: 120mm*146.5mm*55mm

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