Periodic Audio, a company that specializes in portable hi-fi, has revealed more details of its micro-sized DAC that aims to drastically ramp up the audio quality of laptops and mobile devices.
Periodic Audio says their Silicon DAC features a “custom USB to I²S audio converter” that handles all formats of PCM up to 32 bit/768 kHz, all in a tiny form factor that’s about 42% the size of a U.S. dime.
The Silicon DAC offers DSD support up to DSD256 to allow it to natively handle any high-resolution audio. For output, Periodic explains, “we built in a full 150+ mW RMS/channel stereo amp – over 300 mW RMS total output power into 32 Ohm cans (and with 100 mA of current capability, Silicon will handle low impedance headphones easily, too).” It is rounded out by a seven stage power supply .
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“There are no controls or LEDs on the device, to keep its user interface to an absolute minimum,” Periodic’s Dan Wiggins told New Atlas. “Adjust the volume with the volume control on your phone or laptop. Likewise – you want to know the resolution you’re playing? Check your music player. Since our DAC never downsamples/rate converts, whatever the source file is, is the rate you’ll get.”
Since being revealed at CES 2023, the Silicon DAC has been funded by an Indiegogo campaign, and is estimated to begin shipping in March of 2024.
