CONCLUSION
Audiolab’s Q-DAC is a very impressive piece of equipment. It takes all that’s good about the company’s renowned M-DAC, omits a few features but shaves a good chunk off the price.
    It boasts a superb level of detail retrieval with excellent dynamics and an agile delivery – but stays precise and controlled at all times.
    The various filter options also give the user the ability to tailor the sound to their individual taste which proves remarkably useful the more you experiment.
    Partner it with the M-PWR and you have the basis of a very good system indeed – one that sounds much more powerful and well-honed than its paper specifications might suggest.
    In absolute terms the Q-DAC is the star of the show here – and capable of being paired with amplifiers costing twice the price or more of the M-PWR.
    But factor in their matching cosmetics and obvious synergy and it’s easy to see why many people would look to pair them together. If that’s you, the chances are you won’t be disappointed.


Audiolab Q-DAC     £400 (U.K.)

OUTSTANDING – amongst the best

VALUE - keenly priced

VERDICT
All the sonic assurance of Audiolab’s lauded M-DAC but with a saving of some £200 makes the Q-DAC a veritable bargain. One of the best DACs around at the price.

FOR
- detailed sound
- clean, clear presentation
- range of filter options
- pre-amp capability

AGAINST
- no remote
- little else at the price


AUDIOLAB UK

+44 (0)1480 447700

www.audiolab.co.uk