Cen.Grand 9i-92SA III DAC / Headphone Amp

CEN.GRAND 9I-92SA III DAC / HEADPHONE AMP

The Cen.Grand 9i-92SA III, also known as the Golden Thrush, is a high-end DAC, headphone amplifier and preamplifier built for demanding personal-audio and compact stereo systems. The third-generation model uses two ESS ES9038Pro DAC chips, with one chip dedicated to each channel and all eight internal DAC channels operated in parallel.

DUAL ES9038PRO CONVERSION

Each ES9038Pro is assigned to a single channel, allowing Cen.Grand to use the DAC architecture in an extensively parallel configuration. The digital section also incorporates an AK4118 receiver for SPDIF sources, while the USB path combines an XMOS XU208 interface with FPGA processing and electrical isolation from the connected computer.

DSD512 AND PCM384 OVER USB

USB playback supports PCM up to 384kHz and native DSD512. Coaxial, optical and AES/EBU digital inputs support PCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz and DSD64 via DoP. Six selectable digital filters are also available, giving users additional control over the conversion behaviour.

FOUR HEADPHONE OUTPUT MODES

The headphone amplifier provides four selectable operating modes: Normal, BTL, Active Ground and Parallel. These modes alter how the internal amplifier stages are configured, allowing the 9i-92SA III to adapt to headphones with different impedance and current requirements. Separate high- and low-impedance operating options further extend its matching flexibility.

BALANCED AND SINGLE-ENDED SYSTEM INTEGRATION

Alongside its digital inputs, the 9i-92SA III includes both RCA and XLR analogue inputs and outputs, allowing it to operate as a dedicated analogue preamplifier. This makes it suitable for active loudspeakers, standalone power amplifiers or systems where both headphone and loudspeaker listening are required from one central component.

REFERENCE HEADPHONE SYSTEM HUB

With 2.1W available into 33Ω and 0.5W into 600Ω, the 9i-92SA III is designed to work with a wide range of headphones, including demanding high-impedance and planar models. For a lower-priced alternative using a single ES9038Pro, see the Cen.Grand 9i-90SA Pro.

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