{"id":39261,"date":"2024-12-22T13:53:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-22T11:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=39261"},"modified":"2025-01-04T11:30:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T09:30:01","slug":"sw1x-dac-iii-and-dac-iii-balanced-sp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/sw1x-dac-iii-and-dac-iii-balanced-sp\/","title":{"rendered":"SW1X DAC III and DAC III Balanced SP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample supplied by Live Fidelity<\/a>
\n<\/a>Retail prices in the Netherlands, including 21% VAT:
\nDAC III – \u20ac8.900 (as reviewed)
\nDAC III USB – \u20ac11.900
\nDAC III Balanced – \u20ac13.500
\nDAC III Balanced Special – \u20ac15.600 (as reviewed)
\nDAC III Balanced Classic – \u20ac33.000
\nDAC III Balanced Signature – \u20ac47.000<\/h4>\n

SW1X Audio Design, pronounced as One X Audio Design, crafts distinctive audio products developed by Dr. Slawa Roschkow and assembled in Essex, England. My first experience with this brand dates back to 2017 when I reviewed the LPU 1<\/a>, DAC 1<\/a>, and DAC 2<\/a>. One year later, George Sallit wrote a guest review of the DAC II Special<\/a> (now just DAC II). Early 2023, I published a Quick Impression of the DAC III Special<\/a>, intending to write a full review later. Due to circumstances, this did not materialize until now.<\/p>\n

One of the areas in which Dr. Slawa specializes is the painstaking selection of exotic components and applying them such that they achieve precisely the envisioned sonic balance. I experienced some of this firsthand when he sent me a collection of special transistors to try in the DAC 1, among which were very rare Germanium transistors. And sure enough, there were marked differences among the components. This experiment taught me that the decision for a single component can significantly change the character of an audio component. It also illustrated the inherent two-edged sword. On the one hand, it may create seemingly endless and unpredictable variations for the uninitiated, but on the other hand, it allows a careful designer to build precisely as desired.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Having heard a range of SW1X components, I found that one of the brand’s core values is to present the music in an upbeat and expressive manner. This is evident in all models including the Level I products. As we climb the performance Level ladder (as distinguished by the designators II through X), the circuits become increasingly more sophisticated which, in turn, leads to the sound becoming more fluid, refined, lush, and organic.<\/p>\n

The DAC III is available in three base versions, which can be further distinguished into special versions. This lineup can precisely cater to specific needs but can be challenging to comprehend. Below is a breakdown of the currently available versions.<\/p>\n