Aqua La Scala MKII Optologic DAC

Milan, Italy | 2024 – A never ending story: upgrading to the Optologic DAC. 
Again, La Scala D/A converter proves that an instant classic does not mean a product whose destiny is to become obsolescent, like most of the products in the high-end world.
After the first appearance in the flagship Formula DAC, the proprietary D/A conversion system developed by Aqua is now available for La Scala MkII dac.

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So, current Owners, have the opportunity to upgrade their unit in order to reach to the revolutionary Optologic D/A conversion system.
The already extraordinary sound quality of this icon is now improved in every aspect: time coherence, microdynamics, timbre, and without losing that magic atmosphere for which La Scala is widely renowned.
La Scala MkII keeps the VALVE / MOSFET hybrid circuitry, with now a pair of specially selected ECC81 tubes – a High-Frequency triode – for its extremely low noise and superb transparency.

Features

 High performance proprietary FPGA-based digital decoding without digital filter

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 Galvanic and magnetic isolations between the FPGA and R2R ladder converter

Discrete R2R ladder DACs with low noise precision resistors

Jitter free digital interface AQlink (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to La Diva cd transport

Zero S/PDIF Jitter design, digital receiver stage PLL (phase locked loop) technology

High-performance AQ Discrete Regulator (MOSFET, J-FET, BJT) for analog and digital DAC’s power supply

Valve-Mosfet direct coupling analog stage in pure class-A without negative feedback

MOSFET Virtual battery circuit for analog anode supply

Soft-start power up for extended tube life

etherCON RJ45 (AQlink) input connection, employs CAT6 cable can connect both RJ45 and professional etherCON RJ45

2 separate low noise power transformers, one for the analog and one for the digital section

MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board system

Regulated DC filament supplies with soft start for tubes

Fully discrete analog stage, not even a single Op-Amp is used

Proprietary USB Firmware / driver :
Apple MAC OS – Linux OS : USB asynchronous native support, no need to install drivers software

Fully upgradeable asynchronous USB module with resolution 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 24 bits, DSD64, DSD128, operates with computers running OSX 10.7 and above, WINDOWS 10 , 8 , 7 and XP ASIO – WASAPI bit perfect high-speed

Digital phase selector on front panel

High-quality parts selected for sound quality:
   – 105° long life capacitors
   – low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors
   – double metallized film pulse capacitor
   – ultra-fast diodes
   – halogen free cables

Aluminium anti-resonant cabinet with Nextel

Designed and handmade in Italy

Input:
– RJ45 AQlink (I2S serial bus) – PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP
– BNC coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm  –  PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
– RCA coax (S/PDIF) 75 ohm  –  PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
– AES/EBU balanced 110 ohm  –  PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP
– USB port  –  PCM 24 bit / 384kHz – DSD64, DSD128 via DoP

– AT&T (ST Fiber) –  PCM 24 bit / 192kHz – DSD64 via DoP (optional)

Analog output:
– RCA single-ended
– XLR balanced with transformer