Digital Processor Reviews

California Audio Labs Sigma D/A processor Specifications

Sidebar 3: Specifications

Description: 1-bit D/A converter with tubed output stage. Tube complement: one 12AX7. Inputs: one coaxial (RCA jack), one optical (TosLink jack). Outputs: unbalanced on RCA jacks.
Dimensions: 8¾" (222mm) W × 4" (102mm) H × 12¾" (324mm) D.
Price: $695 (1992); no longer available (2020). Approximate number of dealers: 96.
Manufacturer: California Audio Labs, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (1992); Blue Lake, CA 95525 (2000); company no longer in existence (2020).

COMPANY INFO
California Audio Labs
Company no longer in existence (2020)
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on December 9, 2020 - 1:33pm

Today $200 destroys it... err, we've come a long way in 30 years.

Most of entry level audio was chalky and lacking resolve. Can't fault CAL for mating it with tubes.

Robin Landseadel's picture
Submitted by Robin Landseadel on December 12, 2020 - 5:52am

The Topping E30, at $130, destroys it.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on December 12, 2020 - 10:15am

And the Schiit Modius destroys the Topping E30.. for $200.

PeterPani's picture
Submitted by PeterPani on December 9, 2020 - 10:49pm

When playing CD on my 1984-model Sony CDP-101, comparing it with several audiophile DAC's I purchased since - I am not sure what sounds better. Mostly everything on digital sounds the same. Every song is a repetition of digital characteristics fatiguing my ear canals until I switch back to analog.

volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on December 10, 2020 - 5:58am

I think the weakness with digital or 16 bit/44.1 isn't the disc itself but the machines. I sound like a broken record, but I was hesitant in 2007 to move on to computer audio, but when I heard how much better it was and not by a small margin, but by a substantial margin, there was no going back. The drawbacks are the poor sorting, metadata and the occasional firewalls preventing certain software from working, but the sound is truly revelatory. Surprised your CDP 101 is working, mine long stopped functioning. Still have two CDP 111s that struggle. Most likely the servo is the culprit.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on December 10, 2020 - 9:44am

... Sony CDP-X339ES, a complete CD player with superior D/A performance.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_compact_disc_player_cdp_x339es.html

hollowman's picture
Submitted by hollowman on September 4, 2023 - 5:56pm

A 30 Year Old DAC Vs a Modern $1K SMSL D400 EX!

A recent video by a YT hifi vlogger "My Own Devices Audio Channel":
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My Own Devices Audio Channel
16K subscribers
2,311 views Sep 3, 2023
Review of the SMSL D400 EX DAC. I compare it to a Topping D70s and a 30+ year old, California Audio Labs Sigma Tube DAC.
https://youtu.be/fVJITeppIKM

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