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High Performance Portable Audio Player

Desktop Audio with No Equal

What is Vi DAC?

Vi DAC is a high performance digital to analog converter, or DAC, that connects to your home stereo. Like its creators, it does things a little differently.

A DAC is a device that converts digital data into glorious, analog audio. Not all DAC's are created equal, and this one really has no equal. Completely crowd-designed by our Geek Force, Vi DAC is also called Geek Soul.

No-Compromise Architecture That's Fully Balanced and Dual Mono

Vi DAC uses a fully balanced architecture throughout its entire circuit, which results in the best noise rejection possible, and is the most natural way to cancel distortion. In addition, it uses a dual mono design, implementing dual ESS Sabre DAC chips, a dual separated power supply and a dual analog output stage.

Capacitor & Connector Exchange (CCX)

The Capacitor and Connector Exchange is a module that inserts into the back of Vi Tube DAC that allows you to swap out its output capacitors and connectors. Basically, it's tube rolling... except it's with caps and connectors instead of tubes. All you have to do is follow a simple procedure that we'll provide you with, and you can swap in your favorite output cap/connector combination anytime without affecting your warranty.

We feel very strongly about CCX, and have decided to add it to every Vi Tube DAC. It increases our cost, but doesn't affect your price. No matter which configuration of Vi Tube DAC you've chosen, CCX will be included.

• Future Upgradeable
  With CCX, your Vi Tube DAC is completely upgradeable. If you don't want to commit to additional modules now, you can do it later. The only risk is that the price for each module will be higher later.
• User Serviceable
  CCX modules are easily swapped in and out. All you have to do is power down your Vi Tube DAC, remove four screws, pull out one module, insert another, replace the four screws, and power up.

Eight CCX Options

• CCX #1: Included
  
  Standard Single-ended Configuration—  This module comes standard with your Vi Tube DAC. It features Wima film capacitors and Switchcraft RCA connectors.
• CCX #2: $479
  
  Standard Balanced Configuration—  This module includes everything in the standard module plus a pair of Swedish-made Lundahl balanced output pransformers and a pair of Neutrik XLR output connectors. Backers of the Vi Tube Balanced Out Upgrade perk will receive this module, in addition to the CCX #1 module, automatically.
• CCX #3: $179
  
  Mundorf MCap Evo SilverGold.Oil Single-ended Configuration—  This module features a pair of Mundorf EVO - Silver / Gold + OilFilm Capacitors! Our listening tests reveal a very transparent sound. It's a very "precise-sounding" capacitor for the kind of audiophile that enjoys a more "Spectral/Wilson" experience.
• CCX #4: $658
  
  Mundorf MCap Evo SilverGold.Oil Balanced Configuration—  This balanced module takes CCX #3, and adds a pair of Swedish-made Lundahl balanced output transformers and a pair of Neutrik XLR output connectors, bringing the noise floor even lower for a clearer image and more defined soundstage.
• CCX #5: $189
  
  Jupiter VT Series Film Single-ended Configuration—  Jupiter VT caps are known to be very sweet in the middle, which produces a classically warm, tubey sound. Tube rollers will love this one.
• CCX #6: $668
  
  Jupiter VT Series Film Balanced Configuration—  This module takes the Jupiter VT silky sound, and lowers the noise floor with a pair of Lundahl balanced output transformers and Neutrik XLR output connectors.
• CCX #7: $369
  
  V-Cap TFTF + Cardas Single-ended Configuration—  This capacitor is known to be a magnifier of the strengths and weaknesses of the entire signal chain. According to Larry, this is the best overall capacitor for this system. You'll find that the soundstage will widen, heighten, and deepen, providing a much more intimate experience with your music. Next, we've added Cardas "Thick" female connectors made of brass and plated with rhodium and silver. Our experience is that this connector, in comparison to our standard Switchcraft connector, helps to provide a cleaner sound in the lower frequencies.
• CCX #8: $888
  
  V-Cap TFTF + Cardas Balanced Configuration—  This model adds Lundahl balanced output transpormers to the CCX #7 module. It also employes Cardas Gold XLR connectors. We use these connectors in our flagship products: Da Vinci and Sire DAC's. We think they're the best XLR connectors on the market.

The World's Most Versatile DAC

Vi DAC's versatility is unmatched. It features five digital inputs: one USB, one TOSLINK, one AES/EBU, and two S/PDIF. It outputs your analog music in two different ways. First, it has two headphone outputs on the front panel. One 1/4" single-ended output, and one four pin XLR balanced output. Second, it outputs at line level through one pair of RCA single ended outs and one pair of XLR balanced outs. If you choose Vi DAC Tube, you'll get another pair of single-ended RCA outputs through the tube buffer stage. Additionally, if you choose the balanced tube output option, you'll get another pair of balanced XLR outputs.

Advanced 64 Bit Volume Control

In the past, attempts to engineer digital volume attenuation has been panned by audiophiles due to its very obvious "digital-ness." Analog volume control has been preferred, though it also presents a problem because of the noise that it generates. We've taken a different approach to volume control with our advanced 64 bit attenuation circuit, which uses an ultra-high resolution, zero noise, bit perfect mechanism.

In the case of computer-based playback via USB, Vi DAC's volume attenuation circuit replaces the computer's volume calculations with its own, ensuring that your music remains bit perfect all the way through the conversion process. This way, it ensures that no information is lost before Vi DAC gets the data.

Automatical Digital Volume Control Shut Off

If you want to use the analog volume control of your preamplifier,set Vi DAC's digital volume attenuation circuit to -0dB, which completely bypasses the digital volume control circuit.

Individual Channel Control

In order to keep the digital music bit perfect, we've designed Vi DAC so that once it's volume is set to -0db, you can control the individual channels' attenuation settings to adjust balance.

User-Selectable Digital Modes

Most DAC aficionados understand the importance of digital filters. One of the major functions of digital filters is to remove the digital artifacts that the digital-to-analog conversion process adds to the signal.

Vi DAC features several user-selectable digital modes that go beyond digital filtration. These modes were developed specifically to Vi DAC (all of our products feature digital modes specific for their application even though they may share the same name product to product). These modes not only change digital filtration settings, but also the digital PLL windows of the internal DAC IC, the re-clock jitter removal circuit, along with other hardware installed into the DAC.

Users get the benefit of continuous upgrades to their digital modes through firmware releases.

TCM (Time Coherence Mode) uses LH Labs' minimum phase digital filter and time optimization algorithm, which removes all PRE-ring from the converted signal and realigns the impulse response. This presents the listener with a more well-defined and natural soundstage. In short, this mode is optimized for time domain response.

FRM (Frequency Response Mode) uses a slow roll-off linear digital filter and frequency domain optimization algorithm to provide a smoother and clearer sound with even lower THD+N in the high frequencies. The IMD in the higher frequencies is lower because of frequency response and high frequency artifact optimization.

FTM (Femto Time Mode) minimizes the bandwidth of the DAC IC's digital PLL, providing even better jitter performance and better sound quality. Available for ALL of our femto clock equipped DACs.

SSM (Stable Streaming Mode) is designed to optimize Vi DAC for streaming music. This mode combats two most important issues of streaming your music: time-fluctuated high jitter music content, and compressed roll off of high frequency harmonics. With SSM, Vi DAC will restore your streaming music's timing using our patent-pending three layer buffer. Expect a richer sound in the mid and high band frequency range.

Choose Your Music Format

Vi DAC decodes PCM (the most common music format, the one used in your CD's and MP3's) with bit rates of 16, 24, and 32 bits, and sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz. It also natively decodes DSD music files (a rapidly-growing digital download format that audiophiles tend to love), letting you choose between five different filter modes, with sample rates of 2.822 MHz, 3.072 MHz, 5.644 MHz, 6.144 MHz, 11.288 MHz, and 12.288 MHz.

Dual Femtosecond Clocks

When it comes to digital audio playback, timing is paramount. The more accurate the timing, the more true to the original recording the playback is. For the most accurate timing available, we turn to femto clocks.

Femto clocks are so named because they are accurate to a femtosecond. That's one millionth of one billionth of a second! Clocks like these aren't typically found in audio devices. They're usually in missile guidance systems. If you can find a DAC with a femto clock in it, you're on the right track. But the application of the clock (in our case more than one) is super important. For example, if you choose a clock that's accurate to a femtosecond but the frequency at which is oscillates is not a whole number integer of the audio frequency you're decoding, you still end up with jitter, the sworn enemy of high-performance digital audio.

Our ultra-low jitter femto clocks are customized for us by Crystek Crystals, and are accurate to 85 femtoseconds when properly warmed up. Each DAC that uses them requires two separate clocks. One clock oscillates at 90.3168 MHz for audio signals that are sampled at a rate that is an integer multiple of 44.1 kHz, and the other oscillates at 98.304 MHz for audio signals that are sampled at a rate that is an integer multiple of 48 kHz.

Our proper implementation of dual femto clocks ensures that the lease amount of jitter is introduced into the digital audio signal prior to its conversion into analog. The highest degree of harmonic integrity is retained, making the converted analog signal true to its digital origen. This translates to deep, black background, which gives the listener a sense of space and imaging that is unmatched in any DAC at any price.

Non Parallel Walls

Vi DAC's chassis has been designed to dissipate vibrations within the chassis that could otherwise be converted into electrical noise. By making a design without parallel walls, standing waves don't build up in corners, making it much less likely that noise will get into the circuit. This innovative design, based on our Da Vinci DAC's original chassis specification also creates enough internal volume to accommodate larger components such as capacitors and tubes.

Descended from Da Vinci DAC

Ultra-quiet Linear Power Supply

Vi DAC's linear power supply employs 26 high quality regulators, including 4 discrete shunt regulators, making it among the quietest linear power in the industry. In addition, the power circuit is completely isolated from the digital and analog circuits, preventing mechanical noise from the transformer from entering the signal path.

Proprietary Three Layer Elastic Buffer

To ensure computer speed fluctuations don't smear your music, we've developed a proprietary (and patent-pending) Three-Layer Buffer similar to the buffering technology many of today's high-speed computers employ. This is the first time such a design has been applied to audio.

Bipolar Instant Power Technology

To address the issue of energy during power hungry times, our output stage uses an extremely low output Z bi-polar power supply, which keeps at least twice the rated power in reserve just in case you want the cannons in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture to feel like they're taking aim right at you.

Dual 2015 ESS SABRE9018AQ2M DAC Chips

Vi's DAC's design has always been to utilize ESS' Sabre 9018 DAC microchip for its digital to analog conversion. New for 2015, ESS has released the 9018AQ2M, which boasts even better harmonic distortion characteristics than its predecessor, as well as a lower noise floor and greater dynamic range. You have the option to utilize this new chip if you so choose.

For more info on ESS' new SABRE9018AQ2M, please click here.

Optional Hybrid solid-state/tube output buffer

A DAC has two main parts. First, the digital stage, and then the analog stage. Vi DAC's digital stage utilizes an advanced, proprietary solid-state design first implemented in our Da Vinci DAC. In the digital stage, precision timing and decoding is the most challenging part. Without precision, details blur and smear. The analog stage is where the magic happens. Vi DAC's solid-state analog stage is both musical and controlled at the same time. We've also designed an optional tube output buffer for those afficionados that love the warm and liquid sound of tubes.

Put Analog Back Into Your Music

For so many of us, the drawback to listening to digital music is that is sounds too, well, digital. Vi DAC does a great job delivering both precision and warmth to your stereo, but if you really want to put analog back into your music, choosing the optional Tube output buffer is a must. It uses 6922/6DJ8 tubes to give you a very wide bandwidth, and a low noise floor. With its warm and charming characteristics, prepare to spend a lot more time listening to your music!

Vi DAC's Tube Buffer Nerdy Highlights

• Active Biased Parafeed Single-ended (ABPS) Tube Buffer
• Ultra-wide bandwidth design (100k Hz in this stage)
• Bessel Analog Filter before tube grid
• Ultra-low noise discrete shunt regulator for B+
• Dedicated heater transformer and B+ transformer (only seen in very exotic designs)
• Soft start power network to make your tubes last longer.
• Zero global negative feedback
• 8 low switching noise Schottky diodes
• RIFA Film capacitors for active bias circuit decoupling
• Nichicon high-end capacitors for critical tube power coupling
• Vishay CMF resistors in grid 
• RIFA FILM CAPS to remove the final minor trace of power noise in B+
• Non-magnetic metal film resistors throughout.

Vi DAC vs. Geek Pulse

Vi DAC is a continuation of the development of Geek Pulse, so it's natural to wonder what the difference is between the two.

Geek Pulse is a solid state DAC which has been optimized for desktop use. It has a directly accessible volume attenuation knob on its front panel, along with up to two headphone outputs. Because of space constraints, it has been built with a 12V DC power input, and can pair with our linear power supply, called Geek LPS.

Vi DAC is a versatile DAC that has been optimized for home stereo use; it fits perfectly into your audio furniture. Designed for use with a remote control, it comes in either a solid state or a hybrid solid state/tube configuration. With its elegant non-parallel wall design and bigger footprint than Geek Pulse, it takes its juice directly from either 120V or 240V AC power.

Technologically, Vi DAC is superior to Geek Pulse in the following ways, including others:

• Vi DAC uses a 15V bi-polar power supply in its DAC module, compared to Geek Pulse' 12V power. The benefit is more headroom and 10% to 15% more power on the balanced headphone output. Additionally, Vi DAC has a slightly better power supply rejection ratio in the negative leg of the power supply.
• Vi DAC features an optional tube buffer stage, making it the most versatile DAC on the market.
• Vi DAC features DSD Direct!
• Vi DAC Tube features TWO pairs of single-ended and balanced output from solid state and also another TWO pairs of single-ended and balanced output from 6922/6DJ8 tubes (with optional balanced out from tube circuit).

Choose from Two Models

What's in a Name?

Vi. It's a short word, but it's a powerful one. It's the Joe Pesci, or maybe the Franky Valli of words.

We wanted this DAC to be named after the people who inspired it. In Latin, Vi means "Force." Our Geek Force is a group of music lovers and true audiophiles, dedicated to helping us create high-performance audio components that are obtainable to more people than our industry usually serves. Because of them, we've been able to create ground breaking products such as Geek Out, Geek Wave and Geek Pulse.

Please join our Geek Force and help us make Vi even better!

The Vi Audio System is Growing

Having an amazing DAC is one thing, but our vision is much larger than just one component. What's next?

Phase II: Vi Power Amp is a high performance power amplifier that connects to your home stereo, surround sound system or speakers.

Vi Power Amp brings out the best in your speakers using our VSI Matching technology, which simply and efficiently matches its output to your speakers' unique impedance characteristics. With perfectly matching impedance, your system will have new life, providing a better three dimensional soundstage, deeper bass notes and audio clarity second to none.

Besides dramatically improving sound quality, Vi Power Amp doesn't have external heat sinks, it doesn't get hot to the touch (thanks to its Multi-zone Class A Amplification), it doesn't eat up electricity, and it's smooth, sleek, and attractive. Basically, we got rid of everything that will make your spouse say, "Don't bring that thing into my house!"

Why Are We Doing This Campaign?

About LH Labs

LH Labs is an amalgamation of audio geeks and engineers who have partnered together with one sole purpose in mind: bringing the sound of high-end audio to the masses.

Based in Northern California, the epicenter of the high-end audio industry, LH Labs was founded on the principal that music lovers deserve something better than just the "usual." We've made it our mission to create the best products possible for both audiophiles and music enthusiasts.

We've earned all kinds of awards, including a CES Innovations Honoree Award, A Publisher's Choice Award from TONEAudio, a Greatest Bits Award from Audio Stream, a Writer's Choice Award from Positive Feedback Online, and a Blue Moon Award from sixmoons.com. We've been featured in Forbes Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Street, Stereophile Magazine, The Absolute Sound, The Business Journals, and The Daily Swarm, among many other publications.

The LH Labs Team

Larry Ho, Electronics Engineering Lead
Always challenging the status quo. A die-hard tube, vinyl, high-definition music lover.

Gavin Fish, Marketing & Communications Lead
The nerdiestest marketer on the West Coast. Gavin is LH Lab's campaign architect and lead communicator.

Casey Hartwell, Online Media Lead
Social media enthusiast. Record Facebook session without going to the bathroom: 51 hours, 22 minutes. Recommended by 4 out of 5 people that recommend things.

Kayla Bejsovec, Industrial Design Lead
Kayla loves four things: bionic cats, Rock Band (in expert mode), Taylor Swift, and fresh industrial design. Not in that order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of display does Vi DAC have?
Vi DAC has a 16 character OLED display that gives the user information such as volume attenuation and digital input. It also lets you access a menu system to control all the other features of the DAC. The display can also be turned off using an Apple remote control.

Is the firmware updatable?
Yes. This is another improvement over Geek Pulse. Vi DAC's firmware can be updated using an SD card. No more Windows-only firmware updates!

Does Vi DAC have a standby mode?
Yes, it does. Placeing Vi DAC in standby mode will help you conserve energy while it's not in use, but it keeps power going to strategic circuits. For example, the femto clocks will be kept warm, even in standby mode.