DS-DAC-10R and AudioGate 4
Enjoy a lifetime of listening to astounding audio fidelity—record it in DSD.
“High-Resolution” is the latest audio frontier. USB DAC hardware is now plentiful, and various high-resolution formats are available. The only thing lacking has been an ample supply of music or source material available in a high-resolution format.
KORG was among the first to embrace the potential of high-resolution DSD audio with its MR Series of rack-style studio recorders, portable solutions, and hand-held devices. In addition, their complementary AudioGate software works with all the latest formats and has quickly become the standard for high-resolution audio playback.
Now KORG is proud to add the DS-DAC-10R to their list of DSD hardware and software products that were created to satisfy audio lovers everywhere. This revolutionary USB DAC (Digital-to-Audio Converter) recording system also offers professional-grade Analog-to-Digital conversion and is even equipped with phono inputs—ideal for archiving your vinyl records.
If you can’t find the high-resolution audio materials that you’re craving to hear, record them yourself with the DS-DAC-
10R; the 1-bit USB-DAC/ADC from KORG.
KORG DS-DAC-10R hardware and AudioGate 4 software:
• Everything you need for DSD recording!
• Phono inputs provide a direct connection to your record player.
• DSD Phono Equalizer available for Recording or Playback.
• Premium components selected to achieve the highest-quality sound.
• Simple and stylish design.
• Connects to iAudioGate for playback.
• DS-DAC-10R + AudioGate 4: Everything you need for DSD recording!
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change

Simply use a single USB cable to connect the DS-DAC-10R to your PC. The DS-DAC series is well known as the most effective high-resolution audio playback system; with the advent of the DS-DAC-10R, it now allows high-resolution recording as well. The DS-DAC-10R supports the 5.6 MHz and 2.8 MHz DSD format—for playback and recording—as well as PCM formats up to 192 kHz/24-bit. Now you no longer have to wait for your favorite music as a high-resolution release; create DSD-recordings of your own sources and listen to great sound—anywhere, anytime you like.
Phono inputs provide a direct connection to your record player
Vinyl records have soared in popularity over recent years. Certain audiophiles and enthusiasts prefer vinyl sources for the pure enjoyment of music, and cite a warmth of tone lacking in digital sound sources. The KORG DS-DAC-10R allows these retro-audio fans to manage their record collection as music data and enjoy it more easily. Phono input jacks allow the DS-DAC-10R to connect directly to your record player—there is even a grounding terminal. Your records can be quickly turned via DSD into high-resolution data files with their quality unimpaired, allowing you to use AudioGate to easily manage your music library. The input jacks also support LINE level signals—such as from a cassette deck—making this the ideal system for archiving your irreplaceable collection.
DSD Phono Equalizer available for Recording or Playback (*1)
The DS-DAC-10R contains a DSD phono equalizer that restores all of the sound that went into cutting the record, while minimizing any effect of the equalization process on the sound. In addition to the standard RIAA curve, five other curves(*2) are also supported. Phono equalization can be applied as you record, or when playing back an unequalized DSD recording made from your vinyl sources. This versatile cutting-edge technology lets you appreciate the true power of vinyl records in a way until now impossible—even on high-end audio equipment.
*1. The record lathes used in the process of producing vinyl records cut a wider groove as the frequency of the sound becomes lower; this makes it difficult for the needle to accurately trace the groove during playback, and also decreases the recording time. For this reason, the record being cut is equalized to attenuate the low-frequency range and boost the high-frequency range, and the opposite curve is applied during playback. This compensation is applied by the “phono equalizer.” Since record players have a lower output level in comparison to most audio devices, it is necessary to boost the signal, and the phono equalizer typically performs this role as well. However on the DS-DAC-
10R, the amplification is handled by an analog circuit and the equalization is separately performed using digital signal processing (within AudioGate 4).
*2. RIAA is the standard recording/playback equalization curve for records defined by the Recording Industry
Association of America. It became a standard in 1954, but prior to that date there was no standardization between the various record labels. Since the curve is not indicated on the records themselves, it’s not possible to know which curve was used to record a given record; however it is said that nearly all records can be covered by the RIAA curve and five other curves. Try selecting different curves in AudioGate 4 and enjoy the resulting changes in tonality.
Premium components selected to achieve the highest-quality sound
Inside the DS-DAC-10R, you’ll find the same PCM4202 (made by TI) AD converter used in the MR-2000S 1-bit studio recorder. We have insisted on the same exacting quality as this recorder—which continues to be used in many professional studios. The pre-stage circuit of the phono amp uses high-performance parts such as the OPA1662
(made by TI) and thin-film polymer multi-layer capacitors (PMLCAP®/made by Rubycon) in order to take full advantage of the phono cartridge’s performance. For the DA converter, we’ve selected the same CS4390 (made by
Cirrus Logic) as used in the MR-2000S and the DS-DAC series. Like these respected devices, the DS-DAC-10R also exemplifies KORG’s motto for sound: “uncolored sound that faithfully reproduces the original.” And, of course, native playback of 2.8224 MHz and 5.6448 MHz DSD files is supported.
DSD native playback of 2.8224 MHz and 5.6448 MHz DSD files
KORG was among the first audio companies to focus on the high sound quality benefits of DSD, using DSD as the recording format for the highly acclaimed MR series of studio and field recorders. Now that major music distribution sites such as Blue Coast Records and Channel Classic Records have started distributing data in the DSD format, and major audio manufacturers have also started to release USB DAC units, the DSD format has become acknowledged by audio fans as a synonym for the utmost in high-quality playback. The quality of this DSD data is fully realized by the
"DSD native playback of DSD data" offered via these USB DAC units, the DS-DAC series.
These units support playback not only of 2.8224 MHz DSD data but also the still higher-resolution of 5.6448 MHz, which is even more faithful to the original source.
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change

Simple and stylish design
The elegant diecast body of the DS-DAC-10R emanates precision construction and craftsmanship. Sleek and uncluttered, the front panel provides simply a headphone jack and a volume control. The DS-DAC-10R is designed to provide effortless integration with your existing audio system. LED illumination also indicates the playback format and the recording status. Inside and out, attention was given to using premium materials—highlighted by the copperplated rear panel and the gold-plated connectors.
Connect to iAudioGate for playback (*3)
The DS-DAC-10R can be used for playback in conjunction with iAudioGate, the high-resolution music player for iPhone. You can connect to your iPhone whenever you like, and enjoy playing back your archived records more casually and conveniently than when using a PC (*4).
*3. You must use a compatible connection kit/adaptor made by Apple, and provide power from a USB hub that is equipped with a power supply.
*4. iAudioGate does not have phono equalizer functionality.
Download will start in the end of November, 2015
AudioGate 4 now includes the ability to create high-resolution audio recordings. Simply install AudioGate 4 on your
PC, and then connect it to the KORG DS-DAC-10R using a single USB cable. The DS-DAC-10R supports the 5.6 MHz and
2.8 MHz DSD format—for playback and recording—as well as PCM formats up to 192 kHz/24-bit. What had been the foremost high-resolution audio playback system has evolved to provide the effective system for creating highresolution audio recordings.(*1) Now you no longer have to wait for your favorite music as a high-resolution release; create DSD-recordings of your own sources and listen to great sound—anywhere, anytime you like.
*1. DSD recording is supported in conjunction with DS-DAC series units equipped with an AD converter (currently, only the DS-DAC-10R). Previous models of the DS-DAC series do not support recording functionality.
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change

DSD Phono Equalizer available for Recording or Playback (*2)
The AuidoGate 4 contains a DSD phono equalizer that restores all of the sound that went into cutting the record, while minimizing any effect of the equalization process used to cut the original vinyl record. In addition to the standard RIAA curve, five other curves (*3) are also supported. Phono equalization can be applied as you record, or when playing back an un-equalized DSD recording made from your vinyl sources. This versatile cutting-edge technology lets you appreciate the true power of vinyl records in a way until now impossible—even on high-end audio equipment.
*2. The record lathes used in the process of producing vinyl records cut a wider groove as the frequency of the sound becomes lower; this makes it difficult for the needle to accurately trace the groove during playback, and also decreases the recording time. For this reason, the record being cut is equalized to attenuate the low-frequency range and boost the high-frequency range, and the opposite curve is applied during playback. This compensation is applied by the “phono equalizer.” Since record players have a lower output level in comparison to most audio devices, it is necessary to boost the signal, and the phono equalizer typically performs this role as well. However on the DS-DAC-
10R, the amplification is handled by an analog circuit and the equalization is separately performed using digital signal processing (within AudioGate 4).
*3. RIAA is the standard recording/playback equalization curve for records defined by the Recording Industry
Association of America. It became a standard in 1954, but prior to that date there was no standardization between the various record labels. Since the curve is not indicated on the records themselves, it’s not possible to know which curve was used to record a given record; however it is said that nearly all records can be covered by the RIAA curve and five other curves. Try selecting different curves in AudioGate 4 and enjoy the resulting changes in tonality.
Powerful, proprietary software for handling DSD format and other high-quality files
Born as an audio format conversion application, AudioGate was originally developed to convert recordings made on
KORG’s MR Series recorders, then manage and play them on computers. Today, it has grown beyond its origin as
KORG's bundled software, and has earned the support of many users around the world. AudioGate 4 has been completely updated; adding numerous functions and also heightening interoperation with KORG's DS-DAC series. It has been reborn as the software at the core of KORG's audio HD playback solution.
*After downloading AudioGate, connect the DS-DAC series or MR series unit and perform the license verification procedure so that you can use the software as a licensed version.
* An "AudioGate 4 Lite version" optimized for playing various types of audio data is newly available for free download without authentication requirements. The lite version can be upgraded to the full version by connecting a DS-DAC series or MR series unit for license authentication, so you'll be able to smoothly take advantage of the full functionality when you purchase one of these products after trying the lite version. For details on the models supported by the lite version and for more about authentication, refer to the separate "Read Me" document.
*DSD playback via the lite version will be converted to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz PCM for playback.
AudioGate supports playback for a comprehensive range of audio formats such as 24 bit (192 / 96kHz), 16bit, WAV,
FLAC, MP3 and more
AudioGate supports a wide range of file formats, starting with MP3, AAC, and 44.1/48 kHz WAV as well as highresolution formats such as 24 bit (96 / 192 kHz) WAV and FLAC, in addition, of course, to DSD. It can handle play lists that contain mixed bit resolutions, sample rates and even different file formats.
In addition to the DAC itself, the hardware USB DAC requires software that manages and plays the audio files.
Although the software has a major influence on the audio quality and the usability of the system, previous products have typically used software developed by other companies, or even freeware. The KORG AudioGate software plays this role for the DS-DAC series. Setup is easy, and there are no worries about compatibility. With KORG AudioGate you can experience the finest in DSD sound.
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change

Uncompromising design for high audio quality
KORG's products are developed by world-class audio engineers with an exhaustive knowledge of digital audio. The design of the sample rate conversion filter built into AudioGate takes into account the tonal character heard via the final playback from the hardware, including the characteristics of the A/D and D/A converters themselves. For each combination of sampling rates, filter coefficients have been carefully designed with optimal values and have already earned a high degree of respect in the professional mastering workplace.
In many cases, dither processing is an important factor in determining the quality of digital audio. In addition to the
"TPDF dithering" commonly used to minimize distortion components, AudioGate also provides the proprietary
"KORG AQUA" dithering algorithm developed by KORG to match the response characteristics of human hearing. The perceptual result far surpasses the theoretical S/N ratio based on the quantization bit depth, and has the potential to capture the spatial character of a high-quality master and preserve it even in the down-converted file.
DSD Native playback and preview playback functionality make it an attractive audio player
AudioGate's high-quality audio engine transforms it from a simple file-based converter application to a revolutionary audio player. AudioGate can play back songs via a Direct Sound/WASAPI/ASIO (Windows) or Core Audio (Mac OS X) device that's connected to your computer.
Thanks to AudioGate's powerful real-time conversion engine, you can now enjoy formats that were difficult to play on most audio devices, such as 1-bit DSD or high-resolution PCM such as 24/192, without having to be aware of differences in format. We correspond DSD native playback on DS-DAC series. We realized playing true DSD.
In addition to standard functions such as repeat play and shuffle play, AudioGate also provides numerous functions for enhanced usability as a player, such as a "direct locate" function which lets you change the playback location from the keyboard.
Why does the AudioGate system sound better?
The AudioGate software uses the power of the computer to perform the calculations necessary for D/A conversion, as opposed to slower external hardware. This allows for ideal processing, retaining the audio’s original quality.
With a decade’s experience developing DSD recorder products, KORG’s DSD signal processing and DSD/PCM bidirectional conversion technology yields painstakingly accurate audio reproduction without any degradation.
By developing both the application and the USB-DAC, KORG is able to ensure comprehensive audio quality, even on up-converted file formats.
Supports creation of DSD discs, as well as audio CDs of unprecedented quality
The creation of DSD master reference discs and the distribution of the high-quality recorded data have long been problems for those owning a high-quality recorder. Creating a compressed file for distribution via the network is one useful compromise. AudioGate is one of the most innovative software applications that support the creation of "DSD discs," a topic of interest among audiophiles. When used in conjunction with an MR series recorder, AudioGate lets you transfer your recording to media without impairing the pure audio quality that is distinctive of DSD, allowing you to not only create reference discs but also providing the ideal solution for archiving. AudioGate's powerful functionality also comes into play when creating conventional audio CDs. AudioGate contains a decimation filter that is far superior to those built into a typical AD converter for PCM, as well as a proprietary dithering algorithm developed by KORG to match the characteristics of human auditory perception. This functionality ensures that regardless of the source you're using, you'll be able to create even higher-quality audio CDs.
*A writable CD/DVD drive is required in order to create an audio CD or DSD disc.
* DSD discs (1-bit; 2.8 MHz) created by AudioGate can be played back on players such as the Sony SCD-XA5400ES
Super Audio CD/CD player, the Sony SCD-XE800 Super Audio CD/CD player or PlayStation®3 from Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. DSD discs to be played on the Sony SCD-XA5400ES or the Sony SCD-XE800 require the following conditions. AudioGate meets these conditions. (As of October, 2015, confirmed by KORG Inc.)
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change

- Disc: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD-RW, that are compatible with DVD-ROM specifications
- File extension: dsf
- Folder type: DSD_DISC folder
- Maximum size of a file: up to 4GB
- Channel: 2-channel
- Maximum number of playable files: up to 150 files per folder
- Maximum number of playable folders: up to 200 folders per disc
- Maximum number of playable layers: up to 8th layer
- Sampling frequency: 2.8224 MHz
* The availability of these products may vary by country.
* PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
US: http://www.us.playstation.com
Europe: http://uk.playstation.com/country-selector
Please check following URL for other countries. http://www.playstation.com/country-selector
* "DSD Disc Format" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
A full complement of editing functionality, with support for editing in the DSD domain
In the past, editing data that was recorded in DSD format required extremely expensive pro audio equipment, and this acted as a significant impediment to DSD recording. AudioGate is able to carry out all of the basic editing operations needed for a stereo recorder --- splitting and joining songs, fade processing, volume adjustments, L/R balance adjustments, normalization, cutting DC components, editing marks --- all while staying within the domain of each supported format, including 1-bit DSD.
The DSD editing engine within AudioGate rivals those of professional DSD workstations. Since all DSD-based editing calculations are done while maintaining the sample rate, all the way up to 64 times (2.8224 MHz) or 128 times
(5.6448 MHz), you don't need to worry about audio quality being impaired by the decimation filter that accompanies
PCM conversion. "Direct output mode" allows unnecessary recalculations to be automatically bypassed, ensuring that the purity of the original audio source is completely retained in the output file.
A rich array of editing functionality for metadata such as song title, artist name, and attached graphics etc. is also a benefit provided by AudioGate.
Unlimited undo/redo allows completely non-destructive editing; auto-save guarantees bulletproof safety
All of AudioGate's editing functions open the original file in read-only mode, perform virtual processing in computer memory, and instantiate the data only when you export the file (or create a disc). This not only ensures unlimited undo/redo of editing operations, but also eliminates the risk that the original data will be modified or lost.
Each detail of editing history is automatically saved as a hidden file, so even if your computer becomes unstable during the editing process, you'll be able to return the data to exactly its previous state after restarting the computer.
Price RRP ex VAT : DS-DAC-10R £ 439.00 ex VAT Availability: Jan 2016 (DS-DAC-10R)
Preliminary Information – Specifications and features subject to change