The new Fezz Audio Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC ($2,995) is the only Lampizator licensed vacuum tube D/A converter designed by Łukasz Fikus. It is also the most affordable D/A converter available with the Lampizator logo.
Equinox is based on the PCM1794 chipsets and incorporates a single 12AU7 vacuum tube. Fezz/Toroidy engineers designed a dedicated, supreme-class toroidal power transformer for use as Equinox’s power supply.
The Equinox provides 2 Toslink, 1 coaxial 1 USB digital signal input, and one set of RCA outputs. Via the easily accessible tube housing, located under the sliding glass door on the top panel, Equinox users can swap in different 12AU7 tubes per their preference.
A step-up model called the Fezz Audio Equinox Prestige ($3,995) includes two 12AU7 Vacuum Tubes and adds balanced audio outputs.
Comparison
| Equinox | Equinox Prestige | |
| Price | $2,995 | $3,995 |
| Product Type | D/A converter empowered by Lampizator | Balanced D/A converter empowered by Lampizator |
| Model | Equinox EVO D/A converter empowered by Lampizator | Equinox Prestige EVO D/A converter empowered by Lampizator |
| Tube Type | 1 x ECC82/12AU7 | 2 x ECC82/12AU7 |
| Digital Inputs | USB type B, 2 x S/PDIF, Coaxial | USB type B, 2 x S/PDIF, Coaxial |
| Output | 1 x RCA | 1 x RCA, 1 x XLR |
| OP AMP | Burr-Brown PCM 1794 | Burr-Brown PCM 1794 |
| S/PDIF Receiver | Asahi Kasei AKM4118 | Asahi Kasei AKM4118 |
| PCM Sampling Rates | 32kHz to 192kHz, 16 to 24-bit, USB connection: up to 384kHz and 32-bit | 32kHz to 192kHz, 16 to 24-bit, USB connection: up to 384kHz and 32-bit |
| USB Compatibility | Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Android 12 or later. | Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Android 12 or later. |
| THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) | < 0,05% | < 0,05% |
| Power Consumption | 9 W | 25 W |
| Dimensions | 355 x 380 x 95mm (14 x 15 x 3.7-inches) | 355 x 380 x 100mm (14 x 15 x 4-inches) |
| Net Weight | 8 kg (17.6 lbs) | 8 kg (17.6 lbs) |
| In The Box | Equinox D/A converter Power cord User manual | Equinox Prestige D/A converter Power cord User manual |
The Bottom Line
At the same time we are seeing prices of dedicated standalone DACs coming to market at affordable prices such as the $299 iFi ZEN Blue3 and $229 ZENDAC 3, there still seem to be some high-priced DACs beckoning the wallets of audiophiles. Examples include the recently released $95,000 MSB Cascade, $3,098 Holo Audio Spring3 KTE, the $1,600 Gungnir 2, and now the Fezz Audio Equinox ($2,995) and Equinox Prestige ($3,995).
Fezz Audio has become an important part of the Polish high-end audio scene and there is no question that they offer excellent components that are starting to gain some traction with North American audiophiles.
The collaboration with Lampizator gives us some confidence that this DAC might be well worth auditioning for those who want something bespoke and rather “analog” sounding. And that’s meant to be a compliment.
Price & Availability
The Fezz Audio Equinox ($2,995) and Equinox Prestige ($3,995) DACs are currently available in the U.S. in black ice (black) and sunlight (champagne) finishes. Check for a dealer near you.
Related Reading:
- Fezz Audio’s Evolution Series Amplifiers Unveiled
- From Beyond the Iron Curtain: Fezz Audio is Bringing Polish Hi-Fi to America
- Schiit Audio’s Gungnir 2 DAC Supports 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DXD, and the Forkbeard Control System and App
- Schiit Audio’s Yggdrasil+ MIB Flagship DAC is Getting Better With Age
- Rotel’s Michi Q5 Transport DAC Can Output 32-bit/384kHz and DSD Digital Playback With Some Limitations
