Weiss Helios Reference Digital to Analogue Converter
Originating in Weiss Engineering's product line for professional mastering studios, the HELIOS is truly a zero-compromise DAC. For those seeking the same representation of their music as mastering engineers hear when fine-tuning the audio in the studio, the HELIOS is the unit to get.
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AT HOME
Weiss Engineering's professional clients work in the world's top-tier studios, fine-tuning the sound of the biggest artists on the planet. It is not an option for them to use anything but the best monitoring chains in existence. This is why they use Weiss Engineering's professional DACs.
The HELIOS maintains that same quality level, with design and features that better suit the high-end hi-fi market. With the HELIOS, you are hearing what the professionals are hearing.
HIGH CONNECTIVITY
The HELIOS comes with digital inputs in numerous formats and has both balanced and unbalanced analogue outputs. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384 kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.
Furthermore, the unit functions as a preamp, headphone amp, and a streamer (UPnP/ROON).
HELIOS PRODUCT COMPARISON
The HELIOS and its siblings DAC501 and DAC502 are based on the same digital audio platform, but the HELIOS sports a different D/A Converter and analogue output section.
The HELIOS' XLR and RCA outputs can be used to drive amplifier line inputs as well as headphones directly or via a dedicated headphone amplifier.
The DSP processing can be switched to speaker or headphone mode as required.
The HELIOS housing is made of a dual frame scheme with a stainless steel internal frame and a thick aluminium outer frame.
PURIST SIGNAL PATH
To achieve its exceptional performance specifications, the HELIOS uses an eight-channel 32-bit D/A converter chip, with four paralleled conversion channels per audio channel. All analogue processing is done with our own discrete operational amplifier modules, the Weiss OP2-BP â arguably the best audio operational amplifier currently available.
It also uses an internal high-precision/low jitter clock generator for ultra-stable clocking of the D/A converter section.
PROFESSIONAL PROCESSING
The built-in digital audio processing is based on the same trailblazing algorithms that are used in Weiss Engineering's professional audio tools.
So with the HELIOS you can adjust the audio using the same professional-grade algorithms that were used to mix and master the original recordings.
EASE OF USE
The HELIOS comes with an IR remote control which can be used to select the active input and output, the DSP audio processing presets, and switch power on and off.
Furthermore, it is possible to control and configure the HELIOS via a web browser, which adds detailed control of the DSP processing and preset management.
DIGITAL INPUTS
There are a total of five inputs:
AES/EBU or S/PDIF via XLR, Toslink and RCA sockets.
UPnP/DLNA via Ethernet.
USB.
Roon Ready.
Accepted formats: PCM 44.1kHz up to 384 kHz, DSD 64x / 128x.
Future formats can be accommodated via software updates.
Maximum input word-length: 24 Bits
ANALOG OUTPUTS
Line / Headphone out unbalanced on RCA connector.
Line / Headphone out balanced on XLR connector.
Output stages based on our discrete OP2-BP Operational Amplifier design are employed.
The output levels can be set in a coarse manner with eight steps to adapt for the amplifier or headphone connected.
The levels can be set independently for line and headphone outputs.
No sound degrading servo mechanisms are used.
DIMENSIONS
Depth: 30 cm / 11.8 inches
Width: 45 cm / 17.7 inches
Height: 6.6 cm / 2.6 inches
Height with feet: 7.4 cm / 2.9 inches
