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Garlubidor Phantom DAC
The Phantom from Garlubidor is the little brother of the Divinity DAC. Like the Divinity, it is an R2R style DAC with a volume control, balanced and single ended outputs, OXCO clocks and a linear power supply.
Garlubidor Phantom DAC
The Phantom is built around a 24-bit R2R ladder DAC architecture with FPGA-based digital signal processing — a combination that prioritizes musical naturalness and timing accuracy over the convenience of off-the-shelf delta-sigma chips. Clocking is handled by a pair of high-precision, low-jitter active crystal oscillators (45.1584 MHz and 49.152 MHz) covering both common digital audio sample rate families.
USB audio is handled by a proprietary STM32F446 ARM-based implementation, keeping the signal path clean from source to conversion. The power supply uses a custom O-shaped low-noise transformer with dedicated low-noise power management — and the transformer sits in a distinctive tripod-shaped tailstock that's as much a design statement as a functional choice.
On the input side, the Phantom covers essentially every digital source format: USB, optical (OPT), coaxial (COAX), AES/EBU, and two I2S inputs via HDMI sockets. Output is via a full set of balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connectors. A front-panel volume control button and 2.23-inch orange OLED display round out the user interface, with infrared remote control support (the GRC-2 remote is a factory option).
At a glance:
- 24-bit R2R ladder DAC with FPGA DSP
- Dual precision oscillators for both 44.1k and 48k sample rate families
- Inputs: USB, OPT, COAX, AES, I2S ×2 (HDMI)
- Outputs: XLR balanced + RCA unbalanced
- Volume control, OLED display, IR remote support
- Custom low-noise transformer power supply
- AC 115V/60Hz or 230V/50Hz (auto-selecting)
Technical Specifications
R2R DAC:
- Proprietary R2R + DSD architecture
- Truly balanced 24BIT R2R + 6BIT DSD (32 stage FIR filter)
- Matched precision resistor network array
DSD:
- COAX/AES/OPT support for DSD64
- DSD1024 for USB and I2S inputs only
Digital output
PCM: Supports 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz, 192KHz and 1536KHz* on USB and I2S inputs
Digital Inputs
- RCA
- Coax
- OPT Fiber
- AES
USB Type B - I2S (HDMI Holder)
Analog Outputs
- RCA 2Vrms ,625 Ω
- XLR 4Vrms ,1250 Ω
AC Power Requirements: 115V AC 60Hz; 230V AC 50Hz
Power Consumption: ≤20W
Frequency Response: 20Hz-80 KHz(+1/-3 dB)
THD+N: 0.002% (A-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 120 dB (A-weighted)
Dynamic Range: 120 dB
Crosstalk: -110 dB
Dimensions: 330W x 294Dx 73H mm (Includes feet)
Color: Silver / Black
Warranty: 12 months