Bluebird Music’s Jay Rein, has been distributing some of the best high-end audio companies for almost 25 years and is not afraid to go off the reservation sometimes for brands that others are simply incapable of selling. You have to truly understand both the people behind it and its capabilities to get dealers and consumers to bite. It’s harder than you think. Niche brands operating within a rather niche category have a limited audience.
High-end DACs have become a harder sell over the past few years and it takes something really unique and state-of-the-art to get noticed. The Weiss Helios finds itself in very select company.
Weiss Engineering & Bluebird
Weiss Engineering has been a leader in digital audio technology for nearly 40 years and with founder Daniel Weiss was awarded with a Technical GRAMMY in 2021. Weiss is one of seven brands distributed by Bluebird, along with:
- AVM (Audio Video Manufaktur) electronics
- Jadis vacuum tube electronics
- SME tonearms and turntables
- Questyle personal audio products
- Fezz Audio vacuum tube electronics
- Canton loudspeakers
Weiss products are precision-built in Switzerland with the goal of delivering exceptional performance. Weiss DACs and DSP units are found in recording and mastering studios worldwide, and previous Weiss consumer audio DACs have won numerous awards and placed on “best of” lists.
Tip: We have previously reported on the Weiss DAC204 DAC
Helios DAC
The Weiss Helios reference digital to analogue converter (DAC) brings the highest levels of pro audio performance to consumer audio, exceeding the standards of the highly regarded DAC501/502 ($9,995/10,995). It is a versatile unit, featuring flexible connectivity and a number of Weiss-developed DSP algorithms.
Helios uses an eight-channel 32-bit D/A converter chip, with four paralleled conversion channels per audio channel. Its analog output stages utilize Weiss’ own OP2-BP discrete op-amps, which boasts sound quality superior to that provided by monolithic op-amps.
It also uses an internal high-precision/low jitter clock generator for ultra-stable clocking of the D/A converter section.
From Jay Rein, President of Bluebird Music: “I was blown away by how good the DAC501 and DAC502 are, and Helios is even better…Comparatively, music through Helios is more vivid and transparent, with tremendous detail. But for me personally what brings the music home is Helios’ live-performance dynamics and authentic portrayal of the tonal shades and textures of each instrument.“
Features
- Chassis: The Helios has a stainless steel chassis with a thick aluminum outer frame.
- Power Supply: A non-switching power supply is used, and all sensitive voltages have their own regulators which are separated between left and right channels. This supports an analog output free of “digital noise” and channel crosstalk. The power supply utilizes two toroidal transformers.
- DSP: Digital processing is performed by the 8-channel ES9038PRO chip, utilizing 4 DAC channels in parallel per audio channel. This practice results in an unmatched S/N ratio of -128 dB and provides superb channel separation and noise rejection.
- Digital Inputs: There are five digital input options. This includes AES/EBU or S/PDIF via XLR, Toslink, or RCA; RJ45 Ethernet; and USB type B.
- Analog Outputs: Line/headphone balanced XLR and line/headphone unbalanced RCA.
- Onboard Controls: Front panel rotary encoder knob.
- Dimensions: 15 cm/17.7″ (Wide), 7.4 cm/2.9″ (Height with Feet), 30 cm/11.8″ (Depth)
Tip: Helios comes standard with a full-function remote control and can be controlled via web interface.
DSP Features
Unique digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms featured include the following:
- Room Equalizer: This can be used to suppress room modes.
- Creative Equalizer: Low, mid, and high boost/cut are provided to correct less than-optimal recordings.
- De-essing: This removes overly-bright sibilance (hissing) that may be present in a recording or source.
- Constant volume: This adjusts the volume level across all cuts being played.
- Vinyl Emulation: This mimics the sonic characteristics of LPs.
- Crosstalk Cancellation (XTC) This allows playback of binaural dummy-head recordings through loudspeakers.
- Loudness Control: Equaliztion of frequencies at low listening levels;
- Crossfeed: This emulates a loudspeaker listening experience while using headphones.
From Jay Rein: “We’re proud to offer the most versatile and best-sounding DAC available…We’re certain that reviewers and listeners will find it as engaging and enjoyable to listen to, as we have.“
Price & Availability
The Weiss Helios reference digital to analogue converter is available in black or silver finishes for $21,995 in the U.S. ($28,995 in Canada). Optional Headphone Adapter Cables are available for $495 USD ($695 CAN).
Bluebird Music is shipping the Weiss Helios to dealers as well as the Weiss DAC501, DAC502 ($9,995/10,995), and DAC204 ($3,495).
For more information: weiss.ch
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