Kinergetics Research KCD-55 Ultra DAC Components Review

No one talk about this great product from Kinergetics Research anymore. In fact this is one of best audio product in early 90's. The Kinergetics Research itself have full line up audio system from CD player, DAC, pre-amplifier and power amplifier but not so much variant from each products. It is a reputable company indeed, sadly their name vanished no where.

Especially in this post, I just bought used, not working condition Kinergetics Research KCD-55 Ultra DAC. The Ultra means this DAC using dual DAC module from Ultra Analog, a company that specialize in making one and the best DAC module use by many hi-end audio manufactures. This KCD-55 DAC only have 2 variant in the same casing. This is also the only DAC they have ever produced. The Kinergetics KCD-55 non-Ultra using quad AD1860 DAC. Because the input of both DAC section are the same, so they shared exactly the same chassis and PCB inside. So let's take a look.

I got this unit in almost perfect and complete condition. Just missing the main parts of the DAC, it is the Ultra Analog module D20400.

This D20400 module is the rare and expensive DAC commercial ever I never had one, but what I heard, this module also very sensitive and need extra care otherwise they easily broken and fail to operate by certain time of use.

Cosmetically this is clean chassis, but again, it missing the front knobs for the volume control. This DAC unit is including the pre-amplifier as well.

All components inside are almost complete. The power supply section using 3 high quality transformers for each section of this DAC.

After all, what I am always said about power supply is correct!

The proper power supply design in DAC playing so much role in better sound quality.

This is full photo of the components inside.

Large main PCB for the DAC and pre-amplifier module, digital receiver module, and transformer module. They are arrange in neat arrangement.

The casing material is all high quality aluminum. The casing is slim and wide. The size approximately 45 cm by 40 cm by 6 cm.

The next steps for this unit are dismantle all components and clean them all.

It shines when they are cleaned.

Jumping to deep inspection, one toroidal transformer is made from Holden Fisher. This toroidal transformer is for the pre-amplifier built-in module. The others two transformers are for digital receiver and DAC module.

The small board is the digital section which consist of digital receiver IC using Yamaha YM3623B and digital filter using CXD1144B.

This DAC input are SPDIF coaxial, optical Toslink, also the un-common but great At&T optical input.

The output from this digital filter is 18 bit two complementary MSB first which AD1860 or Ultra Analog D20400 can accept.

The Ultra Analog D20400 input is more flexible. It can accept the data input length from 18 bit, 20 bit, up to 24 bit. 

The main board is the large one. It is the DAC module with pre-amplifier included. This is quite common for vintage DAC unit like this that including the pre-amplifier. The output from pre-amplifier is variable, connect directly to power amplifier. The fixed output is also available. This is common output bypassing the pre-amplifier section.

Looking closely this DAC board, there are two option for this DAC variant. The KCD-55 (non Ultra) using quad AD1860 DAC along with LPF section using op-amps. The board for this AD1860 is still un-touched because what I have here is the KCD-55 Ultra, means it is using Ultra Analog D20400 at the socket on each sides of the DAC section.

This DAC is working in balanced configuration, but the analog output is un-balanced only. Quite a waste I guess, because they better provide the balance output as well.

Here are the details photo of this board.

The reason I bought this unit is because I like the chassis. It is a solid chassis and looks nice.

I will using this chassis on my next DAC project.

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