IGS Audio DACO – Digital to Analog Converter with Tube Amplification Stage

OVERVIEW

The IGS Audio DACO is a high-end digital-to-analog converter designed for demanding music lovers who want to experience digital audio with the depth and character of true analog sound. It serves as the central hub between your digital sources and your amplification system, translating digital signals into a rich, natural listening experience. Unlike typical studio-oriented DACs, DACO is purpose-built for your living room, where emotion, space, and musicality matter most – sometimes all you need is a quiet night, a dim light, and music that feels just right. By combining a transformer-coupled tube output buffer, DACO delivers warmth, dimensionality, and effortless dynamics, making long listening sessions deeply engaging and fatigue-free.

Where Precision Meets Emotion.

At the heart of DACO lies a carefully engineered digital section built around high-performance AKM conversion chips, ensuring precise and transparent signal decoding. The digital domain is handled with accuracy and control, while the analog stage brings life and musical expression. This is where two worlds meet: the precision of modern digital processing and the organic character of analog circuitry. The signal passes through a transformer-balanced tube stage, where it is gently shaped and enriched, before being transferred via custom transformers. The result is a seamless integration of clarity and emotion, technical excellence combined with musical soul.

Crafted to Be Seen. Built to Be Heard.

DACO is housed in a precisely crafted enclosure made from 3 mm CNC-machined aluminum, combining structural rigidity with a refined, contemporary aesthetic. The front panel is centred around a 2″ OLED display, which clearly presents the selected digital input and current sampling rate. Next to the display, a dedicated input selector allows intuitive navigation between sources, while an integrated IR receiver window enables convenient remote control operation. The rear panel offers a comprehensive set of digital inputs and analog outputs, with full details provided in the Specifications section. The entire unit is assembled in a compact 380 × 290 mm chassis and weighs 6 kg, reflecting its solid construction and premium build quality.

Engineered for Pure Signal Integrity.

DACO supports a wide range of digital inputs, including SPDIF, ADAT, USB, AES-EBU, and Bluetooth, making it highly versatile in modern audio systems. The output stage is built around a pair of NOS military-grade 6N6P-VI tubes, selected for their exceptional linearity and reliability. This configuration allows for an extended low-frequency response reaching as deep as 8 Hz. The tube buffer is transformer-balanced both at the input and output, with full galvanic isolation from the output stage. All transformers are custom-designed and supplied by UTM Industry, ensuring optimal performance, low noise, and perfect signal integrity throughout the entire audio path.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

High-Performance AKM Conversion

Dual AK4493SEQ DAC chips provide precise, transparent digital-to-analog conversion, preserving the detail and integrity of your music.

Transformer-Coupled Tube Output Stage

A pair of NOS 6N6P-VI tubes adds organic warmth, dimensionality and musical character to the digital signal.

Designed Without Global Negative Feedback

The analogue architecture avoids global negative feedback, supporting an open, natural presentation with expressive dynamics.

Custom UTM Industry Transformers

Custom-designed transformers provide transformer-balanced signal handling and galvanic isolation for a clean, controlled analogue path.

Versatile Digital Connectivity

DACO accommodates modern digital sources through USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, ADAT and Bluetooth, making it a flexible hub for high-end audio systems.

Ultra-Low-Noise Linear Power Supply

A GZ34 tube rectifier and ultra-low-noise linear power supply provide a carefully controlled foundation for the digital and analogue circuitry.

Wideband, High-Resolution Performance

With frequency response extending from 8 Hz to 80 kHz, DACO is designed to reproduce music with exceptional bandwidth and transparency.

Premium CNC-Machined Aluminium Construction

The rigid 3 mm CNC-machined aluminium enclosure combines structural integrity with a refined contemporary aesthetic designed to complement a high-end listening environment.

Intuitive OLED Display & Remote Control

A 2-inch OLED display clearly shows the selected input and sampling rate, while the integrated IR receiver enables convenient remote operation.

FEATURES

• High-end audiophile digital-to-analog converter
• Transformer-coupled tube amplification stage
• Transformer-balanced analogue output stage
• Transformer-coupled balanced interstage
• Designed without global negative feedback
• NOS military-grade tube implementation
• Custom UTM Industry transformers
• Ultra-low-noise linear power supply
• GZ34 tube rectification
• 2-inch OLED display
• Intuitive front-panel input selection
• Integrated IR receiver for remote control
• 3 mm CNC-machined aluminium enclosure
• Designed and manufactured in Poland

TECHNICAL SPECS

Dual AK4493SEQ DAC (AKM)

Digital Receiver AK4118 (AKM)

Bluetooth Receiver QCC5125 (Qualcomm)

Tube Output Buffer: 2 × 6N6P-VI or 6N30P

GZ34 Tube, Dual-Diode Rectified, Ultra-Low-Noise, Linear Power Supply

Designed Without Global Negative Feedback

Transformer-Balanced Outputs

Transformer-Coupled Balanced Interstage

Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 80 kHz (±1 dB)

THD: < 0.03% (1 kHz, 0 dBFS)

Dynamic Range: 112 dB (AES17)

2-inch OLED Display

Digital Inputs: AES/EBU, S/PDIF, ADAT, USB, Bluetooth

Analog Outputs: RCA (unbalanced): 2.5 V RMS, XLR (balanced): 5 V RMS

Supported Digital Formats:

• Bluetooth: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz
• ADAT / S/PDIF / AES/EBU: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz
• USB: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 384 kHz
• DSD64 (2.8 MHz) / DSD128 (5.6 MHz) / DSD256 (11.2 MHz) / DSD512 (22.5 MHz)

Power Consumption: 45 W

Package Dimensions: 55 cm × 45 cm × 20 cm

Shipping Weight: 7 kg

Country of Origin: Designed and Manufactured in Poland