Antelope Audio is relatively new to the consumer audio market but relatively old to the pro audio market. Their first consumer product, the Zodiac line of DACs, is available in three levels—Silver ($1899), Black ($2899) and Gold ($4500). In use at T.H.E. Show was the Zodiac Gold with the optional Voltikus Analog Power Supply ($1000). Antelope Audio made their mark in the pro world with their jitter-free clocking products and they’ve brought this experience to the Zodiac line. The Gold features include a custom USB chip that streams audio up to 384kHz and the Antelope Oven Clock “for supreme stability.” Connections include: 2x headphone outputs on ¼" TRS, trimmable balanced analog outputs on XLR, unbalanced analog outputs on RCA, balanced analog Inputs on ¼" TRS, unbalanced analog Inputs on RCA, AES/EBU digital input, 2x S/PDIF coaxial Inputs, 2x optical Toslink inputs, USB on standard B type connector, Word Clock Input on BNC, de-jittered AES/EBU output, and de-jittered 2x S/PDIF outputs.

Associated equipment in the room included the Electrocompaniet AW250-R amplifier, Electrocompaniet EC4.8 preamplifier and a pair of Focal Electra 1028 Be loudspeakers. Interconnects were the Harmonix Technology Truth-Link, speaker cables were the Harmonic Technology Pro-10 Reference, and Transparent Premium PowerLink handled power.

One of the great things about computer-based audio is its real potential to bring hoards of new people into the audiophile fold. One of the not so great things about computer-based audio from the perspective of someone trying to listen to music at a hi-fi show is many of the people who are interested in computer-based audio appear to have an endless amount of questions that they apparently need to ask while standing directly in front of the loudspeakers. I managed to snap this picture in the few-second window when this was not the case in the Antelope Audio room.