MoFi Electronics StudioDAC Digital-to-Analog Converter at Vinyl Sound Buffalo NY USA

The MoFi Electronics StudioDAC is a digital-to-analog converter designed in collaboration with Mytek Audio founder and lead engineer Michal Jurewicz, manufactured in the USA, and voiced by the MoFi Electronics team, available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc. in Buffalo, NY. Built around the ESS9038Q2M converter chip, a low-noise precision clock generator, and a proprietary Apodizing Filter, the StudioDAC supports DSD64, DSD128, DXD, full hardware MQA decoding and rendering, and PCM at up to 32-bit/384 kHz. It connects to any streamer or computer via USB 2.0, coaxial S/PDIF, or Toslink, with LED indicators on the top panel confirming the incoming format and resolution for bit-perfect playback. Dynamic range is rated at 115 dB A-weighted, THD+N measures below 0.002%, and the external outboard power supply keeps noise well away from the analog output stage.

Michal Jurewicz of Mytek Audio: Studio-Informed DAC Design

Michal Jurewicz founded Mytek Audio in New York City in 1992 and has spent over three decades building professional digital audio converters used in recording studios worldwide. His work spans the development of 24-bit and 32-bit PCM recording systems, early involvement in the DSD Super Audio CD project, and contributions to MQA mastering and playback standards. Bringing that professional studio perspective to the MoFi Electronics StudioDAC meant applying the same converter design discipline used in the recording chain to an accessible home playback device. The result, after extensive listening and voicing sessions with the MoFi Electronics team, is a DAC whose transparent, engaging character reflects both Jurewicz's engineering precision and MoFi's longstanding commitment to preserving the sonic integrity captured during the mastering process.

ESS9038Q2M Conversion, Low-Noise Clock, and Apodizing Filter

At the core of the StudioDAC is the ESS9038Q2M, a high-performance stereo DAC chip from ESS Technology known for its 32-bit HyperStream architecture and low measured noise floor. The integrated low-noise precision clock generator addresses jitter, the timing instability that introduces audible distortion in digital-to-analog conversion, by providing a stable reference signal that the converter relies on for accurate sample reconstruction. The Apodizing Filter is a digital filter topology specifically designed to eliminate pre-ringing artifacts, the temporal distortion ahead of transient events that standard linear phase digital filters introduce, while also softening the steep roll-off behavior at the upper frequency boundary for a more natural high-frequency presentation. Together, these three elements produce the open, pure character that defines the StudioDAC's sonic identity across all supported formats.

Format Support, Connectivity, and Outboard Power Supply

The StudioDAC accepts digital signals via USB 2.0 Type B, coaxial S/PDIF, and Toslink optical inputs. The USB input supports the full specification including 16 to 32-bit depth, PCM to 384 kHz, DSD64 and DSD128, and full hardware MQA decoding and rendering. The coaxial and Toslink inputs handle 16 to 24-bit PCM across all standard sampling rates. A top-panel LED array identifies the incoming format and resolution in real time, allowing the listener to confirm that the source device and software are delivering bit-perfect output without navigating settings menus. The outboard power supply connects via a 5.5/2.5 mm barrel connector and accepts 100 to 240 VAC worldwide, isolating the supply transformer and its associated electromagnetic interference from the analog output stage and delivering clean 12 V DC at 3.3 A to the converter circuit.

Key Features

• Designed by Michal Jurewicz of Mytek Audio: The StudioDAC is a direct collaboration with the founder of Mytek Audio, bringing three decades of professional studio DAC design experience to a home-oriented MoFi Electronics product.
• ESS9038Q2M DAC Chip: A high-performance stereo converter from ESS Technology with 32-bit HyperStream architecture, delivering 115 dB A-weighted dynamic range and THD+N below 0.002%.
• Low-Noise Precision Clock Generator: An integrated precision clock minimizes jitter and provides a stable reference for accurate digital-to-analog conversion across all input formats and sampling rates.
• Apodizing Filter: A proprietary digital filter eliminates pre-ringing artifacts and softens the high-frequency roll-off for a more natural and open sonic presentation compared to standard linear phase filters.
• Full Hardware MQA Decoding and Rendering: Complete MQA decode and render is handled in hardware, enabling bit-perfect playback of MQA-encoded streams from TIDAL and MQA-certified sources without software-based processing.
• DSD and DXD Support via USB: The USB input accepts DSD64, DSD128, and DXD alongside full 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, covering every high-resolution format in current use.
• Three Digital Inputs with Format LED Display: USB 2.0, coaxial S/PDIF, and Toslink inputs provide broad source compatibility, with top-panel LEDs confirming incoming format and resolution for verified bit-perfect playback.
• Outboard Power Supply: The external 12 V DC supply physically separates the power transformer from the DAC circuit, reducing electromagnetic interference at the analog output stage.
• Manufactured in the USA: The StudioDAC is custom designed and built in the United States, consistent with MoFi Electronics' commitment to domestic manufacturing standards.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• USB 2.0 Type B input (PCM to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD64, DSD128, full MQA)
• Coaxial S/PDIF input (PCM to 24-bit/192 kHz)
• Optical Toslink input (PCM to 24-bit/192 kHz)
• Fixed-level RCA stereo analog output (2.5 V RMS, 75 Ohms)
• External DC power input (5.5/2.5 mm barrel, 12 V / 3.3 A)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MoFi Electronics StudioDAC?

The MoFi Electronics StudioDAC is a digital-to-analog converter designed by Mytek Audio founder Michal Jurewicz, manufactured in the USA, and voiced by the MoFi Electronics team. It uses the ESS9038Q2M converter chip with a low-noise precision clock generator and Apodizing Filter, supports DSD64, DSD128, DXD, full hardware MQA decoding and rendering, and PCM to 32-bit/384 kHz via USB, with 115 dB A-weighted dynamic range and THD+N below 0.002%. It connects to streamers and computers via USB, coaxial S/PDIF, or Toslink, with top-panel LED indicators confirming the incoming format and resolution for bit-perfect playback verification.

How does the MoFi StudioDAC compare to the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M and the iFi Zen DAC 3?

The MoFi StudioDAC competes directly with the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M and the iFi Zen DAC 3 in the accessible high-resolution DAC category. The DacMagic 200M uses a dual ES9028Q2M chip configuration without MQA hardware decoding, while the StudioDAC's single ESS9038Q2M is a higher-tier chip with full hardware MQA decode and render and a superior measured noise floor. The iFi Zen DAC 3 adds a balanced 4.4 mm output and headphone amplifier, making it the stronger choice for headphone-centric setups, but the StudioDAC's Apodizing Filter and Mytek-informed circuit voicing offer a more refined RCA line-level output for loudspeaker system integration. The StudioDAC's outboard power supply also provides an isolation advantage over either competitor's internal supply topology.

Does the MoFi StudioDAC support DSD playback?

Yes. The StudioDAC supports DSD64 and DSD128 playback via the USB input when used with compatible playback software configured for DoP or native DSD output. The coaxial S/PDIF and Toslink inputs do not carry DSD and are limited to PCM at up to 24-bit/192 kHz. For DSD playback from a computer, software such as Audirvana, HQPlayer, Roon, or JRiver Media Center configured to output DSD over PCM will activate the DSD indicator LEDs on the top panel, confirming that the conversion is taking place in native DSD mode rather than being converted to PCM prior to the DAC chip.

What is the Apodizing Filter and how does it improve digital audio playback?

The Apodizing Filter is a digital filter design that specifically targets pre-ringing, a temporal artifact introduced by standard linear phase filters in which brief oscillations appear in the waveform immediately before a transient event such as a drum strike or piano note. Standard minimum phase filters eliminate pre-ringing but introduce post-ringing instead. The Apodizing Filter addresses both artifacts by shaping the filter's time-domain behavior to reduce ringing energy on both sides of the transient, producing a more natural presentation of attack and decay that more closely resembles the behavior of an analog filter. Combined with the low-noise precision clock that minimizes jitter, the Apodizing Filter contributes to the openness and purity that define the StudioDAC's sonic character.

What streamers and source devices are compatible with the MoFi StudioDAC?

The MoFi StudioDAC is compatible with any digital source device that offers a USB audio output, coaxial S/PDIF output, or Toslink optical output. Streamers including the Bluesound NODE, WiiM Pro Plus, Sonos Port, and Lumin U2 Mini all connect via coaxial or optical. Computers running Windows, macOS, or Linux connect via USB and are capable of delivering the full specification including DSD and 32-bit/384 kHz PCM. Music servers running Roon, Audirvana, or HQPlayer will fully utilize the StudioDAC's USB capability including MQA rendering and DSD support. Vinyl Sound Buffalo can assist with streamer and system pairing recommendations to maximize the StudioDAC's performance in your specific setup.

Does the MoFi StudioDAC have a headphone output?

No. The StudioDAC provides a single fixed-level RCA stereo analog output at 2.5 V RMS and is designed exclusively for line-level integration with a preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or powered speakers. Listeners seeking a headphone output alongside DAC functionality should consider the MoFi Electronics UltraPhono as part of an analog front end, or evaluate DAC and headphone amplifier combinations from the broader MoFi Electronics lineup. Vinyl Sound Buffalo carries the complete MoFi Electronics range and can recommend the appropriate configuration based on your system and listening habits.

Where can I buy the MoFi Electronics StudioDAC in Buffalo or Western New York?

The MoFi Electronics StudioDAC is available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc., an authorized Mobile Fidelity Electronics dealer located in Buffalo, NY. Vinyl Sound serves audiophiles across Western New York and the greater Buffalo region and can assist with source matching, streamer pairing, and complete digital front-end consultations in-store or by appointment.