Exposure DAC

Seven inputs, and the nerve to skip the preamplifier.

A full-width converter with seven S/PDIF inputs, USB to 32-bit and 768 kHz, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and distortion at two and a half thousandths of a percent. Designed and built in Lancing, West Sussex.

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Noise, Inputs, Distortion

One hundred and fifteen decibels of quiet.

115dB signal-to-noise

Referenced to 2.1 V RMS output at 1 kHz, with channel separation better than 100 dB across the whole band. The quietest published figures of anything we stock from Exposure.

7S/PDIF inputs

Seven, plus USB. Enough for a streamer, a CD transport, a television and whatever else has arrived since, without an input selector box in front of it.

0.0025% distortion

At 1 kHz and 2.1 V, with frequency response held to a fifth of a decibel across the audio band.

Technical specifications
S/PDIF inputsSeven, supporting 32 kHz – 192 kHz PCM
USB input44.1 kHz – 768 kHz, up to 32-bit PCM, DSD Γ—64–256 (DoP)
Output level, unbalanced2.1 V fixed, or 4.7 V at maximum volume
Output level, balanced4.2 V fixed, or 9.4 V at maximum volume
Output impedance50 Ξ© @ 1 kHz
Total harmonic distortion<0.0025% @ 1 kHz, 2.1 V RMS output
Signal-to-noise ratio>115 dB, ref. 2.1 V RMS output @ 1 kHz
Channel separation>100 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Dimensions and weight440 Γ— 90 Γ— 300 mm (W Γ— H Γ— D), 7 kg net / 9 kg gross. 15 W
Can it drive a power amplifier directly?
Yes. As well as a 2.1 V fixed output it has a variable output reaching 4.7 V unbalanced or 9.4 V balanced at maximum volume, so it can act as the control unit for a power amplifier without a preamplifier in between. Fewer boxes in the signal path, if that is the system you want.
This or the DAC+ board inside an amplifier?
The board is the tidy answer if you own a 3510 or 5510 and want one digital input without another box. This is the better converter and it does not use up one of the amplifier's line inputs β€” seven S/PDIF inputs, USB, balanced outputs and a volume control. If digital is your main source, buy the box.
What sample rates does it handle?
S/PDIF takes 32 to 192 kHz PCM across all seven inputs. USB goes to 768 kHz and 32-bit, and handles DSD x64 through x256 over DoP.
About the Exposure DAC

Bits Into Beauty: The Exposure DAC

Designed by British hi-fi specialists Exposure Electronics, the Exposure DAC isn't just about conversion β€” it's built to be the beating heart of your digital system. Whether you're streaming, spinning CDs through a transport, or working from a computer, it unlocks every nuance of your music with clarity, dynamic power and timeless elegance. Exposure's own phrase for it says it best: "digital precision, analogue soul."

Future-Proof Digital, Analogue Heart

Under the hood, the Exposure DAC handles high-resolution PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz over USB (and up to 192 kHz over S/PDIF), plus DSD256 β€” so nothing in your library is out of reach. Seven S/PDIF inputs and a USB input welcome every digital source you own, while a dedicated toroidal transformer with hum filter and a low-noise power supply keep the background ultra-quiet. An all-aluminium chassis controls resonance and shields against interference.

A DAC That Can Run Your System

Here's the clever part: with a 99-step digital volume control and high-output analogue stages β€” RCA up to 4.8 V and balanced XLR up to 9.4 V (or fixed 2.1 V / 4.2 V) β€” the Exposure DAC can connect straight to a power amplifier, no preamplifier required. A white OLED display with adjustable brightness and an included remote round out a genuinely modern digital hub.

Why You'll Love the Exposure DAC

  • Hi-res everything β€” PCM to 32-bit/768 kHz over USB, plus DSD256
  • Seven S/PDIF inputs + USB β€” room for every digital source
  • Preamp built in β€” 99-step volume and high output to drive a power amp directly
  • Balanced and single-ended out β€” XLR to 9.4 V and RCA to 4.8 V (variable)
  • Ultra-quiet by design β€” dedicated toroidal transformer, low-noise supply
  • All-aluminium chassis β€” resonance control and EMI shielding; OLED display and remote

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Exposure DAC be connected directly to a power amplifier?

Yes. Thanks to its 99-step digital volume control and high-output RCA (up to 4.8 V) and XLR (up to 9.4 V) stages, it can drive a power amplifier or active speakers directly, without a separate preamplifier.

What file formats and resolutions does it support?

Up to 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and DSD256 over USB, and up to 192 kHz PCM over its S/PDIF inputs β€” covering virtually any hi-res source.

How many inputs does it have?

Seven S/PDIF (coaxial/optical) inputs plus a USB input, so you can connect multiple streamers, transports and a computer at once.

Exposure DAC Technical Specifications

Type Digital-to-analogue converter with volume control (preamp capable)
PCM support Up to 32-bit/768 kHz (USB); up to 192 kHz (S/PDIF)
DSD support DSD256
Digital inputs 7 Γ— S/PDIF, 1 Γ— USB
RCA output 2.1 V fixed or up to 4.8 V variable
XLR output 4.2 V fixed or up to 9.4 V variable
Volume 99-step digital
Display White OLED, adjustable brightness; remote included
Power supply Dedicated toroidal with hum filter; low-noise design
Chassis All-aluminium (resonance control, EMI shielding)
Made in England β€” Exposure Electronics

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