With its built-in driver, both my Mac and PC recognized the D1 almost instantly and it could be selected from my control panel’s list of audio output devices. The Audioengine is essentially a plug-and-play device.

Double regulated USB power ensures that USB power variations, if any, do not affect audio output.ġ USB (Type B) input for connection to a PC.ġ pair of high-quality RCA audio outputs.Powered by USB connection-no need for external power supply when connected to a USB source (using the optical input requires optional AC USB power adapter or connection to a computer’s USB port).Built-in high-performance headphone amplifier (20 ohm to 300 ohm optimal headphone impedance).Supported sample rates include USB: up to 96kHz, and optical digital: up to 192kHz at 24-bit depth.The Audioengine D1 uses an AKM AK4396 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter.Along with great sound, the Audioengine also serves up a tasty feature set, all contained in a box only slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes (you do remember what a pack of cigarettes looks like, right?). But what about today’s audiophiles with computer-based systems? Is there a new piece of kit that’s likely to lure them into the fold? I think the Audioengine D1 might just do the trick.įor $169 (street and list price) the Audioengine delivers a level of fidelity that only a couple of years ago was unthinkable for anything near its price.

For many older audiophiles, their “conversion moment” when they discovered the world of high-quality sound began when they heard their first piece of affordable high-performance audio gear, such as the NAD 3020 integrated amplifier.

Audioengine d1 dac chip