Impressively Complex, Yet Astoundingly Subtle and Rewarding

Esoteric's SA-50 is a Revolutionary 32-bit DAC and SACD/CD Player

The SA-50 is built around Esoteric's famous VOSP Transport, a custom-engineered mechanism that’s only bettered by the company’s own VRDS. This approach guarantees the DV-50 will be playing your discs for many years to come. It employs a digital section with dual-differential 32-bit DACs for a seamless, analog-like presentation. Who needs an outboard DAC when you have access to the incredible digital section in a reference level SACD/CD player? 

"The SA-50’s most salient characteristic was a palpability and immediacy in the midrange that fostered a sense of “you are there” realism. The presentation was incisive, upfront, and vivid, with crystal-clear delineation between images and the space around them. In its ability to present the music as individual instruments existing in space, the SA-50 was exceptional. The Esoteric SA-50 is a remarkable piece of equipment, I can enthusiastically recommend the Esoteric SA-50—the Swiss Army Knife of the digital age."
—Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound, June 2010

The SA-50 allows you to connect to its coaxial S/PDIF digital input, Tos-Link input, and USB connection for use with a digital music server, computer, or even a digital iPod docking station. All of this would be meaningless if Esoteric had not designed a spectacular analog section for the SA-50. Built in true dual-mono configuration, the output stage delivers a wonderfully natural portrayal of instruments and voices. Plus, all of the circuitry is housed in one of the most spectacularly built chassis, which greatly reduces resonance and keeps vibration at bay.

The SA-50 possesses a rich tonal balance that proves extremely satisfying during long listening sessions. Due to the incredible power-supply design, it’s dead-quiet, thus bringing more detail to the forefront. Whether you are looking for your last state-of-the-art disc player or one compatible with any of today’s high-resolution digital music files, the Esoteric SA-50 deserves a serious audition in your home.

Compatible disc types: Super Audio CD, CD (CD-R/CD-RW compatible)
Output impedance
   XLR: 100Ω
   RCA: 100Ω
Maximum Output level (1kHz, full scale, 10kΩ):
   XLR: 2.2Vrms
   RCA: 2.2Vrms
Frequency response: 5Hz to 40kHz (SA-CD)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N): 130dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.001% (1kHz)

Audio output (Digital Audio):
   Optical digital jack: 15 to 21 dBm
   Coaxial RCA jack: 0.5 Vp-p/75Ω
Digital audio input:
   Optical digital terminal: 24.0 to 14.5 dBm peak
   Coaxial RCA terminal: 0.5Vp-p
USB port B connector: USB 1.1 or higher
Word Synchronization input format:
   Jack: BNC
   Input impedance: 75Ω
   Input level: Equivalent to TTL levels
   The SA-50 can accept and synchronize to the following frequencies received from external clock devices (rectangular wave): 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 176.4kHz, 100kHz

Power supply: AC 120V 60Hz
Power consumption : 15W
Operating temperature: +5°C to +35°C
Operating humidity: 5% to 85% (no condensation)
Storage temperature: +20°C to +55°C
Dimensions: 17 3/8" x 6" x 13 7/8"
Weight: 37 15/16 lb

The Absolute Sound

HiFi Unlimited

SoundStage Networks

www.6moons.com

Owner's Manual (PDF, 692 KB)

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