beyerdynamic Impacto essential - DAC in the headphone cable

Updated by Timo Altmeyer on February 15, 2022

With the “Impacto essential”, the Heilbronn-based audio manufacturer “beyerdynamic” is presenting a digital audio converter that is aimed primarily at mobile users. The Impacto essential will have its world premiere from April 29 to 30, 2017 at the Tokyo Headphone Festival. From June, the USB DAC will be available at authorized retailers and on beyerdynamic.de for 329 euros.

beyerdynamic Impacto essential

beyerdynamic Impacto essential

Update 19. November 2020

beyerdynamic currently has the Impacto essential on offer for only 49 euros. An unbeatable price for the high-end DAC + headphone amplifier combination!

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With the "Impacto essential", the Heilbronn-based audio company "beyerdynamic" presents a digital audio converter that is primarily aimed at mobile users. Completely inconspicuous, housed within the headphone cable, the Impacto essential is no larger than a conventional cable remote control. The DAC also has integrated cable remote control functions, so that music playback can be controlled unhindered when used on the go with a smartphone or laptop.

Inside, a Sabre32 Mobile Reference DAC decodes high-resolution audio signals with a maximum resolution of 32 bits and 384 kilohertz. Comparable device classes usually only achieve a maximum of 24 bit / 192 kHz. DSD signals are also no problem for the Impacto essential and are supported at up to 5,6 MHz. The noise-free amplifier, which is also integrated, enables operation with both low-impedance and high-impedance headphones. A prerequisite for a direct connection of the new beyerdynamic DAC is headphones with jack sockets on both sides, such as the current reference T 1 (2nd generation), its portable version T 5 p (2nd generation) and the new Amiron home.

Computers and players with a USB output are possible sources. In order to cover a wide range of different USB players, the scope of delivery includes three different USB connection cables. In addition to a typical USB-A connection cable, which is particularly suitable for use on a PC or laptop, there is also a USB-C, as well as a classic micro-USB variant for smartphones or tablets, for example. A solution for Apple's Lightning connector is already in preparation. As a USB host, the digital-to-analog converter takes over the entire audio signal processing of the player, so that the sound quality is no longer dependent on the components of the player. Instead, the DAC converts the high-resolution music data back into analog format and amplifies it - with a precision that fully exploits the acoustic potential of the beyerdynamic headphones.

The Impacto essential will have its world premiere from April 29th to 30th, 2017 at the Tokyo Headphone Festival. It can then be tested at the High End in Munich from May 18 to 21, 2017 at the beyerdynamic stand: Hall 4, Stand V02 / W03. 

 From June the USB-DAC will be available from authorized dealers and on at a price of 329 euros www.beyerdynamic.de be available.

Source: Press Release

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