Moor ManaDAC

manaDAC Digital-to-Analogue Converter

The Moor Amps manaDAC is a reference-grade digital-to-analogue converter created with one clear goal: delivering music with exceptional purity and naturalness. Inspired by a farm on Dartmoor—the same place that gave the Angel amplifier series its name—the manaDAC reflects Moor Amps’ philosophy of providing the essential “manna” that a high-end audio system needs. Rather than relying on complex digital processing or a multitude of filters, the design focuses on a clean, direct signal path that preserves the character and emotion of the original recording.

Designed for Musical Integrity

At the core of the manaDAC are dual-mono PCM1794A DAC chips, chosen for their Advanced Segment architecture, which blends the strengths of resistor-ladder and sigma-delta conversion techniques. This configuration allows the converter to deliver outstanding linearity and resolution while maintaining a natural, analogue-like presentation. By avoiding additional digital signal processing, the manaDAC maintains a straightforward approach that prioritises clarity and authenticity.

The result is a presentation that feels spacious and composed, with a remarkably quiet background that allows musical detail to emerge effortlessly. Whether reproducing the scale of an orchestral recording or the subtle textures of a solo performance, the manaDAC aims to convey music with weight, depth, and emotional realism.

Exceptional Power Supply Engineering

A critical element of the manaDAC’s performance is its extensively engineered power supply. The unit incorporates three independent mains transformers and eighteen separate voltage regulators, ensuring that sensitive analogue circuitry is kept completely isolated from potential electrical noise. This level of power supply refinement provides stable, clean energy to every stage of the circuit, helping the converter maintain its clarity and composure even during complex musical passages.

Controlling Noise, Resonance, and Jitter

Every aspect of the manaDAC’s construction is designed to protect the delicate audio signal. The chassis is produced using a 3D-printed carbon-fibre reinforced bioplastic, carefully mass-loaded with brass and damped with polyurethane rubber to minimise vibration and resonance.

Internally, the analogue section is mounted on its own dedicated circuit board and linked using flexible connections. This approach prevents mechanical vibrations from the transformers from reaching the most sensitive parts of the circuitry.

Digital timing accuracy is also a key focus. The USB input features complete optical isolation along with high-precision oscillators that reduce jitter to an exceptionally low 300 femtoseconds at the point of conversion, ensuring accurate timing and improved musical coherence.

A Natural Listening Experience

The manaDAC is designed for listeners who value musical engagement over technical gimmicks. Its presentation is full-bodied, refined, and easy to listen to for extended periods, helping reduce the harshness sometimes associated with digital playback. Instead of drawing attention to itself, the converter allows the music to take centre stage, delivering a listening experience that feels relaxed, immersive, and emotionally convincing.

Technical Specifications

DAC Architecture: Dual-mono PCM1794A DAC chips with Advanced Segment architecture
Digital Inputs:

• 1 × USB Type-B (fully optically isolated with 300 fs femtosecond re-clocking)

• 1 × Coaxial SPDIF (transformer isolated)

• 1 × Optical Toslink (fibre-optic isolated)

Analogue Output: Stereo RCA (2V RMS)

Power Supply:

• 3 independent mains transformers

• 18 individual voltage regulators

Frequency Response: DC – 20,000 Hz ±0.5 dB
Dynamic Range: >124 dB
THD + N: <0.002%

Supported PCM Formats: 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz (16-bit / 24-bit)

Chassis: 3D-printed carbon-fibre composite with brass mass loading and polyurethane damping

Dimensions: 305 mm (W) × 201 mm (D) × 53 mm (H)
Weight: 3.69 kg