{"product_id":"zesto-audio-athena-digital-to-analog-converter","title":"Zesto Audio Athena Digital to Analog Converter","description":"\u003ch1\u003eZesto Audio Athena DAC\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA tube output DAC with ROHM conversion, native PCM up to 32-bit\/384 kHz, DSD512, seven digital inputs, and balanced transformer outputs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zesto Audio Athena DAC combines modern digital conversion with Zesto’s tube analog output circuitry. Built around a ROHM DAC chip, Athena is designed to preserve the integrity of the digital signal while adding the dimensionality, texture, and ease that Zesto is known for in its analog components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNative Conversion With No Upsampling\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAthena operates bit perfect, with native playback and no upsampling. It supports PCM files up to 32-bit\/384 kHz and DSD up to DSD512, with inputs for USB, optical, coaxial, AES\/EBU, and I2S. The goal is simple: accept the source format as delivered and convert it cleanly, without imposing extra digital processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTube Output Stage\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analog stage is a Class A, dual-mono vacuum tube design using two ECC82\/12AU7 tubes and two ECC832\/12DW7 tubes. The 12DW7 tubes handle input duties and drive the output tubes, while the 12AU7 tubes drive true differential balanced output transformers. The circuit uses no negative feedback, and Zesto performs output filtering through the tube output stage rather than adding filters after it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNoise Control and Grounding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAthena uses a proprietary grounding scheme, a 4-layer copper printed circuit board, 12 internal DAC power supply\/regulators, and Zesto’s ESP power supply architecture to reduce digital noise and support the tube output circuits. Independent left and right ground lift switches are provided to help eliminate ground loop hum in real-world systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHandmade in the USA\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Athena DAC is handmade in the USA and receives a 50-hour factory burn-in on all circuits and vacuum tubes. The chassis uses a 16-gauge zinc-plated steel enclosure, with gold-plated RCA and XLR output connectors using isolated grounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eROHM DAC chip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNative bit-perfect conversion with no upsampling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePCM support up to 32-bit\/384 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDSD support up to DSD512\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeven digital inputs: USB, 2 optical, 2 coaxial, AES\/EBU, and I2S\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClass A, dual-mono vacuum tube output stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced transformer XLR outputs and single-ended RCA outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo negative feedback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndependent left and right ground lift switches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in the USA with 50-hour factory burn-in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-year limited warranty, six months on tubes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInputs:\u003c\/b\u003e USB, 2 x optical (S\/PDIF), 2 x coaxial RCA (S\/PDIF), AES\/EBU, I2S\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOutputs\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Stage:\u003c\/b\u003e Class A, dual-mono vacuum tube output stage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBalanced Outputs:\u003c\/b\u003e 1 pair true XLR transformer balanced outputs, pin 2 hot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSingle-Ended Outputs:\u003c\/b\u003e 1 pair RCA outputs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Impedance:\u003c\/b\u003e 300 Ω\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaximum Output Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 3 V RMS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGround Lift:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 independent ground lift switches for left and right outputs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Connectors:\u003c\/b\u003e Gold-plated RCA and XLR, recessed with isolated ground\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNegative Feedback:\u003c\/b\u003e None\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDigital Performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDAC Chip:\u003c\/b\u003e ROHM DAC chip\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePCB:\u003c\/b\u003e 4-layer copper printed circuit board\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePCM:\u003c\/b\u003e Up to 32-bit\/384 kHz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDSD:\u003c\/b\u003e DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUpsampling:\u003c\/b\u003e None\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Polarity:\u003c\/b\u003e Non-inverting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eVacuum Tubes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOutput Tubes:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 gold-pin JJ ECC82\/12AU7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInput\/Driver Tubes:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 gold-pin JJ ECC832\/12DW7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTube Sockets:\u003c\/b\u003e Gold-pin ceramic sockets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePower\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePower Consumption:\u003c\/b\u003e 30 W, 0 drain when off\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVoltage:\u003c\/b\u003e 100 V–120 V AC, 60 Hz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOptional Voltage:\u003c\/b\u003e Factory-installed 220 V–240 V AC, 50 Hz\/60 Hz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePower Connector:\u003c\/b\u003e Standard 3-pin 15 A IEC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePower Switch:\u003c\/b\u003e Side-panel on\/off switch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePower Supply:\u003c\/b\u003e Internal ESP Supply toroidal transformers, 1 300 V and 1 12 V\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdditional Power Supply:\u003c\/b\u003e ±15 V switching power supply\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDAC Power Regulation:\u003c\/b\u003e 12 internal DAC power supply\/regulators\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGeneral\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/b\u003e 16-gauge zinc-plated steel enclosure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions (WHD):\u003c\/b\u003e 17\" x 5\" x 12\" (431.8 x 127 x 304.8 mm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 25 lb. (9.3 kg)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZESTO AUDIO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53413209768120,"sku":"ATHENA","price":15000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1564\/1247\/files\/20250403_105514-2-cropped-1-scaled.jpg?v=1779123475","url":"https:\/\/upscaleaudio.com\/products\/zesto-audio-athena-digital-to-analog-converter","provider":"Upscale Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}