The Best of Both Worlds
The Athena DAC is an advanced digital-to-analog converter that delivers “The Best of Both Worlds.” In collaboration with a team of world-class digital designers, Zesto Audio has fused innovative digital technology with award-winning tube analog circuits, creating one of the most musical DACs on the market today.
ROHM Chip
The Athena DAC sets itself apart with a user-friendly interface and advanced technology that offers superior sound quality and performance with its tube circuitry. At its core is a state-of-the-art ROHM chip, which ensures that every element of the audio is reproduced with breathtaking clarity.
Wide Range of Formats
The Athena DAC accepts a wide range of formats up to 24-bit/384kHz files, with 3 DSD and 8 PCM sample rates. The DAC is equipped with seven versatile inputs, including USB, COAX, Optical, AES/EBU, and I2S. The Athena is designed for ease of use and seamless integration into any audio setup.
Cutting Edge Technology
The Athena DAC is designed not just for audio playback but for an engaging musical journey. With its combination of cutting-edge technology and vintage tube warmth, it redefines what is possible in digital audio conversion.
Experience the Next Level of Audio Fidelity
With its unparalleled combination of ease of use, innovative technology, and a focus on musicality, the Athena DAC is the perfect addition to any audiophile’s setup. Experience the next level of audio fidelity and immerse yourself in your favorite music like never before.
Key Features
- Native with No Up-Sampling: The Athena DAC maintains the original integrity of the audio signal, ensuring a true-to-source experience.
- Noise-Cancelling Tube Analog Output Circuit: The soul of the Athena DAC lies within its ability to cancel noise, delivering an immersive listening experience.
- No Filters: No digital or analog filters on the DAC. All filtering is done through the tube output circuitry with minimal phase shift, creating a better stereo image and black levels. This is the perfect merging of solid-state and tube technologies!
- Auto-Mute: No pops or clicks when changing formats.
- Proprietary Grounding Scheme: Our innovative design effectively isolates digital noise, providing a clean signal that enhances listening pleasure.
- Adjustable Ground Switches: Easily eliminate ground loops to remove hum.
- No Negative Feedback: Our design philosophy ensures that your signal is neither limited nor compressed, allowing for dynamic expression.
- Dedicated 12AU7 Output Tubes: Engineered to drive true differential balanced output transformers for significant noise-cancellation.
- 12DW7 Input Tubes: This tube handles the input as well as drives the output tubes. 12DW7 is fast, musical, dynamic, low noise, and offers exceptional sound quality.
- Controlled 2nd-order Harmonic Distortion: With a focus on sound quality, this feature is widely regarded as more musically pleasing.
- Zesto’s exclusive ESP Supply: Anticipates the power needed and does not limit the music’s ability to pull all the power it needs. Optimized for the tube output circuits, these power supplies further enhance the overall performance of the DAC.
- Recessed RCA and XLR connectors are high quality, Gold plated, with an isolated ground.
- 50 hour factory burn in on all circuits and vacuum tubes.
- Elegantly designed 16 gauge zinc plated steel enclosure to help isolate the electronic “chatter” from nearby equipment.
- On/Off power switch conveniently mounted on front side panel.
- Each unit is hand built “Made in the USA”.