Metronome Le DAC 3

Regular price: $10,600.00 USD
Regular price
Sale price: $10,600.00 USD

Color: Silver

Options Standard Streaming

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Description

Métronome Le DAC 3 is a French-made digital-to-analog converter in the Classica range, built around an ES9026PRO. USB accepts PCM up to 768 kHz and native DSD1024, two I²S inputs take native DSD256, and S/PDIF, AES/EBU and Toslink inputs are included. RCA and XLR outputs are provided, and an optional integrated streaming module supports Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect and Audirvāna. The Métronome Le DAC 3 has a 3.9-inch display and succeeds Le DAC 2.

Specifications

Type: D/A converter with optional integrated streaming module
DAC Chip: ES9026PRO
THD+N: -110 dB
Dynamic Range: S/N 124 dB
I²S Inputs: Two; PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD256
S/PDIF Input: PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 to DSD128 (DoP)
AES/EBU Input: PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 to DSD128 (DoP)
Toslink Input: PCM 44.1 to 192 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 (DoP)
USB Input: PCM 44.1 to 768 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD1024
Analog Outputs: RCA (100 Ω output impedance, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω output impedance, 3 V max)
Display: 3.9-inch, 480 x 128
Streaming Module (Option): PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD256; MQA renderer
Ethernet (Streaming Option): 1 x Gigabit (10/100/1000)
USB (Streaming Option): 2 x USB 2.0 (external storage)
Supported Protocols (Streaming Option): DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Deezer, vTuner
USB (Update): 1 x USB 2.0 (device update)
Power Consumption: 24 W (standby 18 W)
Dimensions (L x H x W): 450 x 120 x 420 mm (17.7 x 4.7 x 16.5 in)
Weight: 12 kg (26.5 lb)

More information View images

Métronome Le DAC 3

The Métronome Le DAC 3 is a digital-to-analog converter designed and manufactured in France, part of the Classica range and the successor to Le DAC 2. It accepts PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD1024 over USB, adds two I²S inputs, and can be ordered with an integrated streaming module. Analog output is by RCA and XLR.

Converter and Input Stage

Conversion is handled by an ES9026PRO. The USB input is asynchronous and is where the Le DAC 3 moves furthest beyond Le DAC 2, stepping up from PCM 384 kHz and DSD512 to PCM 768 kHz and native DSD1024. Windows requires a driver, while Mac and Linux computers recognize the DAC automatically.

The two I²S inputs over HDMI accept PCM to 384 kHz and native DSD to DSD256, for transports and servers with an I²S output. I²S over HDMI is not standardized across manufacturers, and Métronome does not publish the pin assignment, so confirm compatibility with your source before relying on it. S/PDIF and AES/EBU carry DSD64 to DSD128 as DoP, and Toslink is limited to PCM 192 kHz and DSD64.

Optional Streaming Module

The integrated streaming module is optional. It adds a Gigabit Ethernet port (the published specifications list no Wi-Fi), two USB 2.0 ports for external storage and an MQA renderer, with native DSD up to DSD256. It carries "Plays with Audirvāna" and JPLAY certification, and supports Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, vTuner and DLNA/UPnP.

Analog Output

RCA and XLR outputs both deliver a maximum of 3 V, with output impedances of 100 ohms and 150 ohms respectively.

Display and Updates

A 3.9-inch display shows the unit's status and settings. Firmware updates are installed through the USB 2.0 port.

Place in the Classica Range

Le DAC 3 shares the Classica chassis styling and replaces Le DAC 2 as the range's converter. Its optional streaming module is the integrated alternative to Le Streamer, the separate-chassis network player in the same range. Le Player 4 and 4+ are the range's disc players.

Métronome Classica Range Comparison
Specification	Le Streamer	Le DAC 3	Le Player 4	Le Player 4+
Type	Network player and streaming transport	D/A converter with optional streaming module	CD transport and resampler with optional streaming module	Hybrid DAC and CD player with optional streaming module
Disc Playback	None	None	CD (44.1 kHz / 16-bit)	CD (44.1 kHz / 16-bit)
DAC Chip	None	ESS ES9026PRO (High-End range)	None	ESS ES9026PRO (High-End range)
THD+N	Not applicable	-110 dB	Not applicable	-110 dB
Dynamic Range (S/N)	Not applicable	124 dB	Not applicable	124 dB
Analog Outputs	None	RCA (100 Ω, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω, 3 V max)	None	RCA (100 Ω, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω, 3 V max)
Digital Inputs	None listed	I²S (x2), S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB, streaming (option)	None	CD, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB, streaming (option)
Digital Outputs	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I²S over HDMI	None	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I²S (resampling available)	None
Streaming	Built in	Optional (installed internally)	Optional (installed internally)	Optional (installed internally)
Max DSD, USB Input	Not applicable	DSD1024 native	Not applicable	DSD512 native
Max DSD, Streaming	DSD256 native	DSD256 native (with streaming option)	DSD256 native (with streaming option)	DSD256 native (with streaming option)
Max DSD, I²S	DSD256 native (output)	DSD256 native (inputs)	DSD256 native (output)	Not applicable
DSD over S/PDIF and AES/EBU	DSD128 via DoP (outputs)	DSD128 via DoP (inputs)	DSD128 via DoP (outputs)	DSD128 via DoP (inputs)
Max PCM	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	44.1 to 768 kHz / 32-bit (USB); 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (other inputs)	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit
MQA	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (with streaming option)	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (with streaming option)	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (with streaming option)
Roon Ready	Yes	Yes (with streaming option)	Yes (with streaming option)	Yes (with streaming option)
Streaming Protocols	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner (with streaming option)	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner (with streaming option)	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner (with streaming option)
Network	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz); 1 x Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi not available; 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (with streaming option)	Wi-Fi not available; 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (with streaming option)	Wi-Fi not available; 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (with streaming option)
USB Port	1 x USB 2.0 (external storage)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 2 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 2 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 2 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)
Display	None	3.9-inch, 480 x 128	3.9-inch, 480 x 128	3.9-inch, 480 x 128
Power Consumption	15 W	24 W	40 W	40 W
Standby Power Consumption	15 W	18 W	32 W	32 W
Dimensions (L x H x W)	450 x 115 x 435 mm	450 x 120 x 420 mm	450 x 120 x 420 mm	450 x 120 x 420 mm
Weight	12 kg	12 kg	12 kg	12 kg
Finishes	Silver, Black	Silver, Black	Silver, Black	Silver, Black

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