wow! looks like a great line-up of DACs
anyone have more info on whether these DACs have ethernet network connectivity... looks like they have two proprietary network inputs: AQlink and LinQ
AQlink -- "etherCON RJ45 (AQlink) input connection, employs CAT6 cable can connect both RJ45 and professional etherCON RJ45"
LinQ -- "modular network interface" --
more info here
both might be I2S but hard to tell from the website description.
A little more info:
“As always for the new projects, in the development of the new LinQ, aqua R&D has set itself as a priority the achievement of the best possible sound quality.
LinQ is a highly modular device, based on a series of completely independent units.
Each module performs a particular function, for which it is optimized.
We will then have a ROON bridge module, a DLNA streaming module etc.
Each module has its own dedicated power supply and plugs into a connector on the base board of the device. In addition to the optimization on the particular function, this architecture guarantees an exceptional possibility of future upgrades.
The communication lines of each module with the network are galvanically isolated. Note that further isolation is guaranteed by the fact that one of the modules is a LAN switch, developed internally by aqua. This is an important point: in fact, during the listening tests, and also in the laboratory ones, we obtained the best results with the use of this architecture with built-in LAN switch.
Always having the sound result as an objective, LinQ does not use a USB interface: the output is on AQLink, the aqua I2S proprietary connection. In this way the "passage" on USB is skipped, avoid any losses in sound quality.
Another very important aspect: various network interfaces and streamers on the market - even high-end models - are built on the basis of a standard Linux distribution, originally developed for the PC and tablet market.
The processor is therefore often overloaded, resulting in low response to user commands, long waiting times at ignition and in general in sub-optimal performance.
For the LinQ, aqua developed - an extremely streamlined and fast system, focused on audio playback functions.
This has required a considerable effort in terms of time and resources, but the result is immediately evident on first use.
Ultimately, aqua believes that the LinQ network interface represents a high performance and innovative device, open to future market evolutions, and above all with exceptional sonic qualities.
The first pre-production units should be ready in 2 months and the list price will be around $ 5K USD.
And we are very exited.
Also, we are now evaluating to introduce a simpler "Network AQlink Gateway" device, developed on the basis of the same know-how, and designed to be connected to our DACs. This device will have of course a lower price than the LinQ, and cost-sensitive (around of $ 1800 USD), we think to many owners of La Voce S3.”
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