Some digital enthusiasts demand small portable DACs and headphone amplifiers because they are always on the go. Others need flexibility with their digital gear, especially the ability to insert a headphone amplifier into virtually any system and achieve impressive sonic performance. The new ADL A1 DAC/Headphone Amplifier is designed for these two digital enthusiasts, even if they are the same person!

The new ADL A1 is a portable hi-res headphone amplifier and DAC that can be used with Android devices such as ADL's own X1 and iDevices. The A1 also supports DSD when used with Mac or PC. The high resolution sound that can be achieved through the A1 makes it perfect for portable audio enthusiasts who use the highest quality headphones to go deeper into the sound of a recording. It is also ideal for those who want to play DSD 2X format music files on a laptop or desktop computer.

While the ADL A1 is certainly small enough to be portable and comfortable, it is also packed with many innovative features such as:

USB Mini-B port for USB A output from a PC/Mac to play music and to charge the battery

USB A port for Android music devices via OTG cable

Combined optical and line out on a 3.5mm minijack for line out with a minijack for optical digital out

Additional 3.5mm jack for headphone output

Compatible with Hi-Speed ​​USB 2.0 with DSD (DSD formats of 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz are supported), with the capacity for sample rates of 8, 16, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, indicated by LEDs on the front panel

Switching between USB-A port, USB-mini B port and digital optical inputs

Enthusiastic portable audio users will also appreciate the A1's long battery life. While the A1's battery lasts about 7.5 hours after a full charge, it can be fully recharged in about 5 to 5.5 hours. That provides exceptional flexibility for playback on the go. Downtime and scheduling concerns will be kept to a minimum.

The ADL A1 is a truly versatile portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It's flexible enough to be used in countless applications, small enough to fit anywhere, and the sound quality is outstanding. You'll appreciate Furutech's signature sound in every component ADL offers, smooth yet detailed and focused. 

The ADL A1 is clearly an example of innovative Japanese design at the forefront of technology. Are you ready for it?

Technical specifications:

CIRRUS LOGIC CS4392K high-performance 24-bit/192kHz DAC chip (accepts PCM and DSD audio files)

USB port driver supports ASIO and asynchronous mode

VIA VT1736 32-bit/192kHz USB chip, compatible with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, accepts 2.8MHz or 5.6MHz DSD signals and supports 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz sample rates

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TPA6130A2 HiFi Stereo Headphone Amplifier Chip TPA6130A2 with 98dB S/N Ratio

Operational Amplifier OP AMP: Texas Instruments TI- LME49726 High Current, Low Distortion, Rail-to-Rail Output Audio Operational Amplifier

Maximum Headphone Output Levels (THD 1% @ 1 KHz): 70 mW (12 ohms), 80 mW (16 ohms), 65 mW (32 ohms), 38 mW (56 ohms), 9 mW (300 ohms)

Charging time: about 7 hours approx. (Powered by USB port DC 5V, 0.5A)

Charging time: about 5~5.5 hours approx. (AC/DC 5V, charging transformer 1.0 - 2.0A)

Music Play Time: Up to 7.5 hours when fully charged

Size: 68 (Width) x 118 (Depth) x 16.5 (Height) mm

Weight: 150g approx.

Smartphones compatible with the compact amplifier ADL A1

Compatible Android devices from 2015.

SONY: SONY Xperia Z5, Xperia Z4, Xperia Z3 / Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z, Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact (Xperia Z1f), Xperia A (Xperia ZR), Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia V

SAMSUNG: Samsung GALAXY Active neo, GALAXY Note Edge, GALAXY Note3, GALAXY Note II, GALAXY S4, GALAXY S3, GALAXY S5, GALAXY S3 mini, GALAXY S5 mini, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge (not compatible - GALAXY S3 mini and S4 mini)

HTC (Android 4.2): J Butterfly, J One.Butterfly, New One, HTC One (M7)

HTC (Android 4.3): HTC One (M8), HTC One X

Note * HTC One (M7) with v4.3, v4.4.2 is not supported

HTC (Android kitkat 4.4.X): HTC One M8

Focus: IN810

Compatible with Android Marshmallow version 6.0

Connectivity:

USB Mini-B socket: for USB A output from a PC / MAC for music and to charge the battery

USB A socket: for Android device music output via OTG cable (USB type A to micro B)

Optical and analog output: 3.5 mm combo mini jack for analog output and optical mini jack for optical output (24-bit / 192 kHz max.)

A second 3.5mm minijack for headphone output (range 12 ~ 300 ohms) (When using the two 3.5mm headphone analog output jacks simultaneously, it is recommended to use headphones with close impedance)

Optical input: for digital signal from an external device (24 bit / 192 kHz max.)

Line in: 3.5mm minijack (4-pin) for analog input (switched / when headphones are plugged in there is no Android signal output)

Switchable between USB-A input (Android / line-in), optical input and USB-miniB (PC / MAC)

Characteristic:

Supports DSD64 (2.8MHz) and DSD128 (5.6MHz)

Digital inputs for Android, PC, optical (optical output supports Android digital signal)

Digital / Digital Converter (3.5mm optical TOSLINK output)

High-performance 24-bit/192kHz DAC chip

Support ASIO and asynchronous mode

low jitter

Fits in the palm of your hand

Enjoy music anywhere, at your desk or on the go

Does not consume battery power from the connected Android device

Front controls and indicators:

Headphones and analog output (4 pins): 3.5 mm smartphone connector for headphone output

3.5mm optical input jack: for SPDIF signal 24bit/192kHz maximum

Line In (4-pin): 3.5mm minijack (switched) for analog source input (when Android 3.5mm line-in jack is used, digital signal input is disabled)

Volume: rotary type variable resistor with on/off

Charge Indicators: Three colors: RED, GREEN and ORANGE RED LED indicates charge / GREEN indicates full charge / ORANGE indicates low charge

Line-in and headphone-out (4-pin): ADL A1 Headphone Out supports 3.5mm 4-pin headphones and headsets with remote and microphone when the source is connected to the line-in jack with a 3.5mm 4-pin stereo cable. 3.5mm

Rear panel:

USB Mini-B socket: for connection to Windows and MAC music sources via USB cable and for charging the battery (3.7V 2600mAh internal rechargeable Li-ion battery)

USB A socket: for connection to Android device music sources via USB On-The-Go cable (USB OTG cable is USB-A to micro-B type)

Headphone/Analog Output 2 (3-pin) or 3.5mm Optical Out: 3.5mm combo mini jack or mini optical out jack for headphones or connection to external amplifiers via mini optical cable (optical out is compatible with Android digital signal 16 bit / 48 kHz max.)

Top panel LED indicator:

DSD Indicator: Sampling rates will indicate according to the computer's sampling rate signal 2.8MHz or 5.6MHz

USB DAC (Mac or Windows USB connection): Sample rates will be indicated according to the computer sample

Frequency settings (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192kHz)

Android device digital connection: Sample rates will be indicated as 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz when connected with a USB OTG cable

Android device analog connection: sample rates will be indicated at 44.1 kHz (when using a 3.5mm line-in jack, Android digital signal input is disabled)

3.5mm digital optical input: If the playback sample rate cannot be set at the source, the 44.1kHz LED will indicate (24bit/192kHz sample rates are supported)

Playing computer files using iTunes on Mac or PC: Sample rates will be indicated according to the sample rate setting of the computer (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz)

Playing computer files using iTunes with Windows XP: Sample rates cannot be set, in this case the A1 will indicate 44.1 kHz.

Bottom panel:

Input selection: switchable between Android (USB-A input) / line-in, optical input and Windows / MAC (USB-miniB input)

The switch must be reset after each selection, just turn the ADL A1 on and off

Security measures ADL A1

Recommended PC requirements for DSD playback: CPU Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or higher; RAM 2GB or more.

Check if the ADL A1 ASIO icon is on the desktop screen to confirm that the installation was successful.

Also set the ASIO buffer size to maximum to ensure smooth playback.

The ADL A1 supports 16bit/176kHz, but does not support 24bit/176kHz

The ADL A1 does not support digital signal from iDevices

The ADL A1 is not compatible with HTC Android 4.3

ADL A1 does not support SPDIF output of DSD playback

With a low charge of the A1 battery, the Android signal may be disconnected

Set the buffer length of the Foobar output function to 1030ms to ensure smooth playback.

When the battery power of the Android device runs out (10~20%), music playback may stop.

Reason: Android devices are programmed to cut off digital signal output when battery power is low.

When starting playback on the connected Android device or during playback, the sound comes from the Android device and not from the A1.

Reason: A1's battery power is too low to receive the digital signal input from the Android device.

* Notice about the indicator on the front panel of the A1:

During Hi-Res file playback with a Hi-Res Music app on an Android device, the front panel indication will only show 44.1 kHz.

The front panel indicators are not supported by all playback software for MAC and PC, so they may not be indicated during playback depending on the software. 

ADL recommends Foobar 2000.