The Antelope Audio Zodiac Silver DAC/headphone amp got ohmage a few weeks ago for its excellent DAC section and build quality. The Zodiac series has three DACs currently, but Platinum, which is on the horizon, looks to be DSD capable.

Ω will be glued like glue to the Antelope Audio homepage and attending Facebook page for the next couple of weeks.

Below are Platinum's Press Release and Specification sheet

Santa Monica, CA, May 30, 2013 – Leading digital audio manufacturer Antelope Audio will introduce the newest member of its stellar Integrity line of D/A converters – Zodiac Platinum at the T.H.E Show Newport, Hilton hotel, room 402, between May 31 and June 2, 2013. The new Antelope DAC brings audio appreciation to a higher level, offering the audiophile community the widest DSD support, including the unique 256X mode and a sample rate of 768 kHz via a custom-built USB chip.

The extreme DSD256 greatly extends the accuracy and transparency of the audio reproduction as well as the overall system performance. The custom-designed Antelope USB chip compliments high fidelity by reducing clock jitter and pushing the envelope of the USB streaming with sample rates four times higher than those offered by similar devices.

Whereas many top of the line DACs offer PCM upsamplers, the Platinum is the first device to offer a DSD upsampler. This distinctive feature allows the upsampling of DSD64 to DSD256, pushing DSD noise into higher frequencies, vastly improving the quality of the D/A conversion. The Platinum bypasses internal digital filters built into the DAC chip by implementing a custom upsampler with carefully designed high-precision linear phase filters in the FPGA.

Signature Antelope Clocking

In the heart of the new Platinum lie the renowned 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking and the ultra-low jitter oven-controlled crystal oscillator, which are Antelope’s signature for unprecedented sound quality appreciated by the best recording, mastering and post production studios around the world. In addition, the Platinum is equipped with a 10 MHz input for the legendary Antelope 10M Rubidium atomic clock, providing the most accurate and stable clocking reference and therefore an uncompromised digital to analog conversion.

“The new Zodiac Platinum is not just a response to our customers’ requests for an Antelope DAC with DSD support, but a next level in home audio entertainment,” shared Igor Levin, CEO and founder of Antelope Audio. “The unique 256 X DSD mode, 768 kHz sample rate, quad DAC architecture, and the 64-bit upsampler, together with the atomic input propels Zodiac Platinum into a league of its own in terms of musicality, imaging and detail. This new device will take our customers’ listening experience to an entirely new level.” Levin added.

Zodiac Platinum has inherited the stepped relay volume control and the dual stage headphone drivers with impedance control from its very successful and highly appreciated predecessor Zodiac Gold. The Platinum also comes with an elegant remote control and has the option for external audiophile grade power supply Voltikus. In addition to the PC and Mac control panels available in the Zodiac Line, the Platinum also offers the comfort of the remote control from a mobile application, available for Android and iOS.

The new DAC is planned to hit the market by the end of July 2013 with an expected retail price of $4,895. The bundle with Voltikus PSU will be $5,495.

Zodiac Platinum features

Antelope 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) technology
10MHz input for Antelope’s Rubidium atomic clock
Widest DSD support, including the unique 256X mode
Ultra-low jitter oven-controlled crystal oscillator
Up to 768 kHz sample rate via custom USB chip
Switchable 64-bit 8x linear phase upsampler
Quad DAC architecture for superb dynamic range
Stepped relay volume control accurate to 0.05 dB
External audiophile-grade power supply option
Dual stage headphone drivers with impedance control
Analog inputs for true preamplifier functionality
Re-clocked and de-jittered digital audio output
Aluminum unibody IR remote
Control application for PC, Mac and mobile devices
Automatic internet-based device upgradability

Analog Inputs
1x Balanced Analog Inputs on 1/4” TRS
1x Unbalanced Analog Inputs on RCA

Analog Outputs
2x Headphone outputs on 1/4” TRS
1x Trimmable balanced output on XLR
1x Unbalanced output on RCA

Digital Inputs
2x S/PDIF coaxial inputs
2x optical TOSLINK inputs
1x AES/EBU input
USB on standard B type connector
Atomic / Word Clock Input

Digital Outputs
1x De-jittered AES/EBU Output
2x De-jittered S/PDIF Outputs