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A
FEATURE
udioengine’s new D2 Wireless DAC provides an
elegant solution for those wanting a higher-
quality streaming solution than just a wireless
transmitter, which the Hong Kong–based
manufacturer offers with its highly successful W1 and W2
wireless analog transmitters. The new W2 digital transmitter,
priced at $599 for the set, is integrated with a two-piece DAC
system that comprises separate sender and receiver units. The
system is capable of processing 24-bit/192-kHz music les, with
the ability to stream 24-bit/96-kHz les.
The sender unit is connected (and powered, if desired) via
USB connection, with an optical input also available. The sender
then transmits the digital signal to the receiver via a walled wireless 802.11g network. The system removes output-level distortion from the equation with a separate signal. The D2 system can
work with up to three receiver units in different listening systems.
Highly versatile, the D2 DAC can be used as more than a
standard computer-based wireless DAC: It is equally at home
acting as a PCM-to-home-stereo link and as a wireless USBto-S/PDIF convertor. The latter proves handy with my reference
SimAudio 300D DAC, which features a USB limited input for
16-bit/44.1-kHz les.
995:Sound That Won’t Break The Bank
By Mark Marcantonio
Audioengine D2 Premium
24-bit Wireless DAC
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Nuts and Bolts
The D2 DAC presents a clean and compact design
aesthetic consisting of dark-grey brushed aluminum
casework with thick plastic end caps. The sender and
receiver units each measure 4.75 inches wide, 5.5
inches deep, and 1 inch high—each unit is barely larger
than three CD cases stacked on top of each other.
The faceplate of each unit has two grayish LED buttons—one for power and one for pair-sync status. The
sender has a silver output volume control knob, optical
and USB inputs and a jack for the wall-wart power supply. The receiver has RCA output jacks occupying the
same space as the knob and USB port on the sender.
An optical output and power jack receptacle nish off
the receiver’s front. The back panels of both units hold
only the dual antennas. A few may grumble about frontfacing jacks, but small-stature equipment does require
compromise on occasion.
Up and Running
Setting up both the D2 units to pair with either an
Apple MacBook or Windows Vista desktop and main
audio system took less time than unpacking and
reading the brief but informative manual. (continued)
The sender and
receiver units each
measure 4.75 inches
wide, 5.5 inches
deep, and 1 inch
high—each unit is
barely larger than
three CD cases
stacked on top of
each other.
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Line/Phono Stage
Headphone Amplifier
Limited Edition of 500
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www.CoffmanLabs.com
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For Macintosh owners, simply open up the sound control in
your computer’s system preferences and select “Audioengine
D2”. Windows users verify connection in the sound application of your control panel menu. In either case, make sure to
start with the sender unit’s output turned all the way up. Typical of all Audioengine products, the D2 system comes with a
full assortment of cables, so running to RadioShack won’t be
necessary.
For owners of larger homes or those broadcasting to or
from a studio or garage, the D2 transmission range easily
exceeds 100 feet, according to Audioengine, and will transmit through one exterior and one interior wall without signal
degradation. I tested the transmission through an exterior wall
and ve interior walls at a distance of some 70 feet and the D2
yielded equally good results.
At just $599 with full wireless functionality, one might bet
that the D2’s DAC section would be the weak link. Here, the
PCM1792A chip serves the DAC well. Consistency across the
spectrum with all components is a big thing with us here at
TONEAudio, and the D2 DAC performed above expectations
across the board.
Peak Performer
Listening to the D2 DAC, the one word that keeps coming to
mind is “smooth.” The D2 is a budget DAC that successfully
avoids the dreaded listener fatigue. When using the D2, bass
guitar denition has a solid punch in The Burned’s toe-tapping
“Hard Lesson,” along with a pleasant richness and depth. On
the top end of the frequency spectrum, the D2 delivers Kathleen Edwards’ clear vocals in “Change the Sheets” without the
grain or irritation that plague most DACs at this price point.
The soul of music lives in the midrange and the xylophone in
Steely Dan’s classic “Aja,” which comes across with the sweet
warmth that many budget DACs miss.
The Audioengine D2 DAC offers convenience and high
performance in a compact package that is reasonably priced.
Computer audiophiles take note.
l
audioengineusa.com
FEATURE
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