Garlubidor Phantom DAC
In stock
Phantom, an entry level DAC. The quality of the DAC plays a significant role in the overall sound quality, particularly in high-end audio systems. The Phantom redefines elegance and performance with its sleek, robust design, meticulously crafted from high-quality brushed aluminum. With it's classic dimensions, it integrates seamlessly into any high-end audio setup, exuding an unmistakable premium feel.
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The Architecture
24-bit R2R ladder DAC with FPGA-based signal processing. R2R ladder conversion prioritizes timing accuracy and musical naturalness over the measurement-optimization that delta-sigma chips are designed around. The tradeoffs are well-understood: R2R conversion sounds different — more analog in character, more forgiving of poor recordings, more engaged with the music — and the Phantom is a genuine implementation of the approach, not a marketing exercise.
Clocking is handled by a pair of high-precision, low-jitter active crystal oscillators — 45.1584MHz for the 44.1kHz sample rate family and 49.152MHz for the 48kHz family. Both families get a dedicated, purpose-built clock reference rather than deriving one from the other through division. USB audio uses a proprietary STM32F446 ARM-based implementation.
Connectivity
Inputs cover essentially everything: USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and two I2S inputs via HDMI sockets. The dual I2S inputs are notable — I2S compatibility is increasingly relevant as more streamers offer it as a primary output. Output is via balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA simultaneously. Front-panel volume control button, 2.23-inch orange OLED display, and IR remote control support (GRC-2 remote is a factory option).
The power supply uses a custom O-shaped low-noise transformer in a distinctive tripod-shaped tailstock — an aesthetic statement that also functions as vibration isolation for the transformer. Auto-selecting voltage handles both 115V and 230V operation without a manual switch.
- FPGA: digital signal processing
- DAC architecture: 24-bit R2R
- Clocking: high precision, low jitter active crystal oscillators (45.1584 MHz, 49.152 MHz)
- USB interface: STM32F446 proprietary USB audio based on AMR
- Sound control: physical volume control button
- Display: OLED screen (2.23 inches, orange, 132 × 64 dot matrix)
- Chassis: customised tripod-shaped power tailstock
- Power supply: low-noise O-shaped customised transformer with low-noise power management
- Power input: AC ~115 V / 60 Hz, ~230 V / 50 Hz (automatic selection)
- Remote control: infrared supported, optional GRC-2 remote control
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Digital inputs:
- USB audio
- OPT
- COAX
- AES
- I2S-1 (HDMI socket)
- I2S-2 (HDMI socket)
- Analog outputs: 2 × XLR (balanced), 2 × RCA (unbalanced), left and right channels respectively
