Arcam ir-DAC Like new!

I purchased this DAC new in Fall 2015, and used it for abount 18 months.  It's been boxed up for the past year.  Cosmetically and functionally, like new.  Plastic protective film was never removed.  Sound is fabulous (excellent timing, resolution, and tonal balance a smidge on the warm side), and is on par or better than anything I've heard heard under $1500.  

Please read below where I have pasted info from the Arcam website and the What Hi-Fi award winning review

From arcam.co.uk website

The irDAC, so called because itfeatures infra-red remote control, owes much to the development programmebehind the reference D33 DAC. The irDAC comes packed with cutting edge technologythat brings high-end performance to a wide array of sources. It's outstandingsound quality will deliver sheer musical enjoyment for all music lovers.

TheArcam engineering team gain a great deal of new insight while developing theclass leading FMJ D33. Areas such as isolation of digital and analogue stages,ultra-low noise power supplies and direct coupled signal paths make a bigdifference to outright performance. The irDAC uses the outstanding Burr Brown1796 DAC and 8 separately regulated power supplies to ensure class leadingperformance that are unmatched in the irDACs price category. Jitter reductionis an obsession within the Arcam engineering team. The circuits developed forthe D33 anddeployed in the irDAC produce a signal that is almost entirelyjitter free.

TheirDAC is designed to be the heart of a digital system and can be connected to ahost of different types of digital sources and connections. This includesasynchronous USB and direct iPod connection, taking the digital signal directfrom an Apple device for optimal sound quality. All of the inputs can becontrolled through the irDACs IR remote handset that also controls PCs, MACsand iPod® / iPhone® / iPad® devices via the HID (Human interface device)controller. 

What HiFi review

TheirDAC’s rectangular shape is similar to Arcam’s original rDAC: the height is thesame, although the chassis is slightly wider and deeper. The way the inputindicators hook over the edge of the case (and glow green when in use) iscarried over too.

Butthe design similarities end there. In an attempt to take performance up anotch, Arcam has equipped the irDAC with technology and design cues from thecompany’s £2000 FMJ D33high-end DAC.

So,beneath that solid aluminium anti-vibration case you’ll find a new outputstage, an advanced eight-stage power supply and a brand new Burr-Brown DAC. 

Connections

TheirDAC offers a full suite of connections. Twin optical and twin coaxial digitalinputs will take the feed from streamers, CD players, TVs, games consoles andso on. There’s also a Type-B USB input.

Thisis of the asynchronous variety, which means it controls the data flow and notthe computer – theoretically resulting in better sound. A switch on the backchanges the USB connection between Class I and Class II status (Class II is forfeeding the Arcam a 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution stream).

There’salso a Type-A connection. This lets you hard-wire an Apple device and let theArcam convert the digital signal to analogue. It also charges your portable.

TheirDAC is mains powered, but can also be juiced-up by the separate powersupplies found in some of Arcam’s other products, such as the A19 stereo amp.Arcam claims this will further improve sound quality.

The“i” in irDAC indicates you get a remote control in the box, unlike itspredecessor. The small wand looks and feels cheap, but at least you can changeinputs from afar and control the playback and volume of connected portables andcompatible media-playing software.

Freebieoptical digital and USB-cables are thrown in to get you started too, but youcould always look to upgrade these further down the line. There’s also a powercable with foreign plug adaptors in the box.

Soundquality

Wheredo we start? Well, how about by revealing that we like the irDAC. A lot. Acrossall inputs, this small black box gives music a quite breathtaking sense ofrhythm.

Playa CD-quality file of Ella Fitzgerald’s Let’s Do It(Let’s Fall In Love) and the Arcam captures the vibe of the trackperfectly. There’s detail aplenty, with the DAC picking out the delicate pianoplay, lazy double-bass and Ella’s silky-smooth and beautifully controlledvocal.

Butnot only does it allow you to pick out the fine details, it’s the way themachine knits, gels and intertwines all the various elements together that reallygets your heart going.

IggyAzalea’s My Worldhas a couple of complex elements and the track can sound lost and confused withinferior kit. But the Arcam has no trouble with a 256kbps stream from Spotifythrough its USB connection.

Thepounding bassline sounds tight and weighty, and while the Arcam sounds morerounded than it does neutral, highs still display sharpness and precision.

Fortiming and accuracy this DAC is going to be tough to beat. And for those of youwondering whether it’s better than the old rDAC? The words ‘different’ and‘league’ spring to mind. This model sounds bigger, bolder, more detailed andmore cohesive.

Verdict

Someproducts are impressive from the moment they’re powered up. The irDAC is one ofthose – the way it sucks you in and encourages to keep listening is a raretalent and one you can’t afford to ignore.

Formercurrent class favourites such as the Musical FidelityM1 DAC are well and truly outclassed.