Antelope AMARI is a reference-grade AD/DA converter designed for mastering engineers and home audio enthusiasts who demand exceptional sound quality for critical listening and archiving. It features 24-bit, 384 kHz conversion and Antelope Audio’s renowned clocking technology, all housed in an elegant, user-friendly interface. Two powerful headphone outputs with individually adjustable impedance provide tailored performance for a wide range of headphones, completing a highly specialised design.
At the heart of Antelope AMARI is a set of audiophile-grade converters working alongside Antelope’s oven-controlled crystal oscillator. This setup is driven by proprietary 64-bit algorithms, delivering precise and musical conversion that meets the demands of both mastering studios and high-fidelity home systems. The D/A stage of the Antelope AMARI uses an innovative multi-DAC topology, with eight DACs per channel (four CS43198 chips each), offering a wide stereo image, deep soundstage and an impressive 138 dB dynamic range. The headphone outputs use a dual-DAC design with an AK5578 chip per channel, ensuring a dynamic range of up to 128 dB and consistent, high-performance output.
Antelope AMARI also explores the concept of negative impedance, not merely as a technical specification but as a philosophical approach to listening. By making the output impedance adjustable across 17 discrete steps, from -4.6 to 85.3 Ohms, it allows users to match the interface to the specific characteristics of their headphones. This level of control, combined with the dual-amp architecture and fully differential input per amplifier, ensures stable performance free from temperature-related drift, preserving musical detail under varying conditions.
Connectivity options include balanced and unbalanced analogue inputs (Combo XLR and RCA), digital inputs via AES/EBU, S/PDIF and TOSLINK, and matching digital outputs. Analogue outputs are provided on both XLR and TRS, while the headphone outputs use Combo XLR jacks and can also be configured to drive fully balanced headphones with independent volume control. Synchronisation options include word clock and 10M atomic reference inputs, and Antelope AMARI connects via USB 3.1 Gen 1 using a Type-B connector, supporting sample rates up to 384 kHz.
A/D conversion is handled by two AK5778 chips, delivering 24-bit resolution at up to 384 kHz with a dynamic range of 128 dB. D/A conversion is achieved using eight CS43198 chips, supporting the same resolution and reaching 138 dB dynamic range. While DSD over PCM is not currently supported, Antelope is exploring future implementation.
Clocking is powered by Antelope’s fourth-generation 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking technology, ensuring consistent timing across supported PCM sample rates ranging from 32 kHz to 384 kHz. Power is supplied via a DC inlet with locking nut, using the included wall-mounted power supply.
Antelope AMARI stands out not just for its technical specifications but for the depth of its design philosophy, offering unmatched detail, flexible headphone compatibility and the clocking precision expected from Antelope’s flagship conversion systems.
Features
- 24-bit, 384kHz AD/DA conversion for high-resolution audio performance
- Fourth-generation 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking with oven-controlled crystal oscillator
- Multi-DAC architecture with 8 × CS43198 chips for enhanced stereo imaging and 138 dB dynamic range
- Two discrete headphone outputs with individual volume control and dual-DAC design
- Adjustable headphone output impedance from -4.6 to 85.3 Ohm in 17 steps
- Dual headphone outputs support fully balanced headphone drive
- Balanced and unbalanced analogue input options (Combo XLR and RCA)
- Analogue output via XLR or TRS with digital trim
- Digital I/O includes AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and TOSLINK
- Sync via word clock and 10M atomic input for precision timing
- USB 3.1 Gen.1 Type-B connection supporting up to 384kHz
- Two AK5778 A/D chips with 128 dB dynamic range and full differential inputs
- Precision sound ideal for mastering, critical listening and audio archiving
- Compact desktop unit with high-end build quality and intuitive layout
