DA 256

The Source is the Heart of Your System

I guess you know the feeling. That split second where sound stops being just «audio» and becomes a genuine presence in the room? Those moments are the reason we built the DA 256 digital-to-analog converter.

The DA 256 is our answer to a complicated world. It is a piece of High-End electronics art that just works. No drivers to install, no networking headaches. Just you and your music.

The DA 256 transforms. Not just from digital to analog, but your experience of music. It’s about closing the distance between you and the recording venue. Whether you are enjoying Ringo, Dylan, or Maria Callas, the DA 256 acts as a time machine. It renders sound that is palpable, dynamic, and strikingly natural. You are there.

To get this kind of extraordinary sound, we went to engineering extremes. The power supply architecture isn't simply off the shelf; it was originally developed for a military research project at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). They needed to catch incredibly fast, precise pulses from sensors. We use that same obsessive precision to provide clean power.

We also tackled the clocking issues that plague simpler equipment with «digital» sound. By using local precision oscillators and re-clocking every incoming signal, we ensure that timing is perfect and much less dependent on source or cabling. The result? You can listen for hours without fatigue.

Audio is often fiddly, and we think that is nonsense. The DA 256 scans all inputs and locks on to the one providing music. Automatically, and with no button pushes involved.

You can share your setup with a friend or continue listening from your phone. Simply plug the mobile into the USB-C port on the front and play high-res music instantly. No pairing, no passwords.

Shaped by industrial designer Suzanne Arnesen, the chassis blends solid aluminum with a genuine wood base. Your choice: let it stand out as the Scandinavian design gem that it is, or sit quietly in the background.

Quick specifications:

• Inputs: USB-C (Front), USB-B (Rear), Coax (SPDIF), 2x Optical (TOSLINK)
• Resolution: 44.1 to 192 kHz (16/24 bit) on all inputs
• Power: 200mA, USB-powered (with military-grade filtering) or optional DC input (8–16V)
• Size: Compact at only 17.3cm (6.8") width, 4.5cm (1.8") height, 15cm (5.9" depth)