Gryphon DAC3 DAC Module

Gryphon DAC3 DAC Module

The Gryphon DAC3 is an internal DAC module designed to add five high-resolution digital inputs to compatible Gryphon components. Built around the ESS ES9039PRO DAC chip with a dual-mono discrete Class A analog output stage and zero global negative feedback, it brings Gryphon's core analog design principles to digital source playback. The DAC3 is compatible with the Diablo 333 integrated amplifier and the Helios preamplifier, and is installed by an authorized Gryphon dealer.

What the DAC3 Does

The DAC3 occupies one of the expansion module slots on the rear panel of the Diablo 333 or Helios and adds five digital inputs to the host component: USB, AES/EBU (balanced XLR), two S/PDIF (BNC), and TOSLINK. Once installed, the host component's display shows the selected digital input number, sampling frequency, PCM or DSD format, and the active digital filter setting. The DAC3 is managed entirely through the host component's menus and remote control, with no additional user interface of its own.

Digital Input Formats

USB accepts PCM at sample rates from 44.1kHz to 384kHz at up to 32-bit word length, and DSD in all four standard rates: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512. No drivers are required for Mac or Linux. AES/EBU via XLR and S/PDIF via BNC both handle PCM up to 192kHz at 32-bit. The TOSLINK optical input accepts PCM up to 96kHz at 24-bit. Seven user-selectable PCM digital roll-off filters are provided, allowing fine-tuning of the digital presentation without leaving the listening position.

Analog Output Stage

The analog output stage following the ES9039PRO is a true dual-mono, fully discrete Class A design with zero global negative feedback, built on separate left and right channel ultra-low noise power supplies. Analog output stage supplies run at +/-22VDC, regulated to ultra-low noise levels for best THD and noise performance. First-order analog filters are applied after PCM conversion; second-order analog filters are used after DSD conversion, both using polypropylene capacitors. Multiple local voltage regulators suppress digital noise from reaching the analog stages. The signal path is kept as short as possible with PCB-mounted input sockets eliminating internal wiring.

USB Power Supply

The USB input module is powered by a 12.5 Farad super-capacitor bank rather than a direct AC-mains-derived supply. Gryphon describes this as acting like a true battery supply, providing a stable, isolated power source for the USB receiver that is fully separated from the AC mains and its associated noise. When the host component is powered on, the super-capacitor bank charges before the USB input becomes available. In the Diablo 333 and Helios, a blue LED on the front panel indicates when charging is in progress, and the USB input is active once the LED stops blinking.

Clock and Jitter

A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with accuracy better than 5 parts per million provides the reference clock for the DAC3. Gryphon describes this as ultra-low jitter, contributing to the stability and precision of the digital-to-analog conversion process across all supported input formats and sample rates.

Circuit Construction

The DAC3 is built on six-layer printed circuit boards, a higher layer count than the four-layer boards used in the main amplification circuitry of the Diablo 333 and Helios. The increased layer count allows more effective separation of digital and analog ground planes, reducing the risk of digital noise coupling into the sensitive analog output stages. All input sockets are PCB-mounted to keep the signal path short and free of internal wiring.

Recognition

The Gryphon DAC3 received the HiFi+ 2021 Disc Player of the Year award. Installation must be performed by an authorized Gryphon dealer, and the DAC3 is available as an option at the time of purchase of the host component or as a retrofit at a later date.