Leema Libra DAC

Leema Libra DAC has many features normally seen on professional studio equipment and is designed to get the best possible sound from your digital sources. The DAC also has a wide range of conventional inputs, including three optical and three coaxial. The professional inputs include an I2S (inter-IC sound) input as well as AES/EBU connectors. For maximum versatility the Libra DAC also has three analogue inputs, allowing you to use the unit as the head end of a remarkable playback system.

Why use a separate DAC?

A separate DAC is the ultimate way to improve the sound quality of digital audio. Often the DAC is built into a device e.g. into your computer – however computer sound cards are not always optimised for best possible sound performance. Hence, the Libra DAC pays a lot of attention to the USB PC input. Other times, DACs are built in to integrated amplifiers. This is not optimal as the DAC can generate high frequencies, and these can get into the audio stages.

There are also DAC/amplifier combos available, which are often more optimised for sound performance, but they can still interfere with each other. Finally, there is the issue of crosstalk. That is where both channels interfere with each other. Most DACs use a single PCB. However, the Libre is a dual-mono design, with each channel on a separate board. Dual mono systems also have separate power supplies for each channel, further reducing crosstalk.

Future proofed DAC

The Leema Libra DAC features class leading fully balanced Quattro Infinity dual-mono DAC modules. Balanced refers to the fact that the output can be fed to a balanced cable, via a pair of XLR sockets. Dual-mono means that each channel has its own processing board as well as its own power supply. This feature minimises crosstalk and interference. Moreover, the output filter can be configured for higher resolution sources. Finally, the boards are field exchangeable. In other words, they can be upgraded easily.

M1 USB module for optimal sound from your computer.

The audio playback quality from a computer is dependent on the USB interface capability. The Libra DAC features a fully asynchronous interface. This means that the DAC itself sets the data rates. The result is very low jitter levels. The audio is then as good as they can technically achieve. Drivers are available for Windows, apple and Linux machines.

DSD capability

The Libra DAC has now been upgraded to handle the latest DSD format DSD64. DSD stands for Direct Stream Digital and is the format used by SACD. DSD was originally developed as a hi-res archiving format, and is increasingly being used for music encoding, in the domestic market. It has a much higher sampling rate than the PCM used for normal CDs.

What is I2S?

The Libra DAC also has some professional features not normally seen outside of a recording studio. one of these is I2S. Pronounced ‘eye-squared-ess’. This is an electrical bus system that is used for transferring PCM audio data between IC’s. The bus separates the clock and data signals making for a more robust signal, and simpler receivers. The clock and data do not need to separated from one stream.

What is the AES/EBU connector for?

AES/EBU stands for Audio Engineering Society European broadcasting Union and is professional standard audio link. It uses XLR connectors and a special type of cable. The signal is capable of travelling 100 metres without degrading.

Leema DACs connectivity

Apart from the professional connections mentioned above, the Libra DAC also has three conventional optical inputs as well as three coaxial inputs. There are also three balanced analogue inputs and three RCA inputs. The outputs feature balanced as well as standard RCA connectors.