ONIX Zenith XDA20 High-End DAC & Headphone Amplifier with Dual ES9039Pro

A Reference Converter That Completes the Zenith Line

The ONIX Zenith XDA20 is the digital-to-analog converter that finishes the Zenith family, sitting alongside the XST20 SACD transport and the XMT20 streamer. It is built around two ESS ES9039Pro converter chips, ONIX's own Brighton current-to-voltage architecture using eight OPA1611 op-amps, and a separate 25W plus 15W Talema transformer pair. Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs are joined by a 6.35 mm headphone socket, so the XDA20 can anchor a system and drive both a power amplifier and headphones directly.

Dual ESS ES9039Pro Chips and the In-House Brighton I/V Stage

Two ESS ES9039Pro converters handle decoding, and ONIX designed the analogue stage around them rather than bolting on a generic output board. On the balanced XLR outputs that yields a 127 dB dynamic range, a 127 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 126 dB of channel separation; the RCA outputs measure 123 dB dynamic range with 123 dB signal-to-noise. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is quoted at 0.0003% on both, so the XDA20 stays transparent whichever output you choose.

A Built-In Headphone Amplifier With Genuine Power

The 6.35 mm headphone output is not an afterthought: it uses a TPA6120 amplifier and offers two gain settings. On low gain it delivers 101 mW into 32 ohms, and switching to high gain raises that to 1620 mW into 32 ohms, or 252 mW into 300 ohms, which is enough for demanding planar headphones. Output impedance is a low 3.3 ohms, and the headphone stage still manages a 121 dB dynamic range with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio on high gain.

Six Digital Inputs and a Genuinely Multifunctional Output Stage

Coaxial, optical, BNC, AES/EBU, I2S and USB inputs cover practically every digital source you might own. The S/PDIF inputs accept PCM up to 192 kHz at 24-bit plus DSD64 over DoP, while the I2S and USB DAC inputs reach PCM 768 kHz at 32-bit and DSD512. On the analogue side the output can be switched between Pre Out, Line Out and HP Out, letting the XDA20 act either as a fixed-level converter feeding an integrated amplifier or as a variable pre-amplifier driving a power amplifier directly.

Talema Transformers, Vishay Capacitors and an XMOS XU316 USB Stage

Power comes from a pair of Talema iron-core transformers rated 25W and 15W, feeding four 3300 microfarad / 63 V Vishay capacitors chosen for clean filtering. The USB input is handled by an XMOS XU316 receiver, which is what allows the full 768 kHz and DSD512 resolution over a computer connection. ONIX houses everything in a CNC-machined aluminium chassis in the traditional black-and-gold ONIX finish, measuring 32 by 24 by 6.2 cm and weighing approximately 5.7 kg.

A Simple 3.4-Inch Touch Screen, a Volume Wheel and a Remote

The front panel stays deliberately uncluttered. A 3.4-inch touch screen reports input, output mode, gain and volume, while the gold volume wheel handles level changes by hand. A remote control is supplied for when you would rather not leave your seat. The screen exposes the settings that matter day to day, gain, output mode and device configuration, without burying them in nested menus, and ONIX keeps the whole interface fast to navigate.

Specifications

• DAC Chips: Dual ESS ES9039Pro
• Analog Stage: In-house “Brighton” I/V architecture with eight OPA1611 op-amps
• Headphone Amplifier: Built-in TPA6120
• USB Receiver: XMOS XU316
• Digital Inputs: Coaxial, Optical, BNC, AES/EBU, I²S and USB
• S/PDIF Input Support: PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit, DSD64 (DoP)
• I²S Input Support: PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit, DSD512
• USB DAC Input Support: PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit, DSD512
• Analog Outputs: XLR (balanced) and RCA (single-ended)
• Headphone Output: 6.35 mm
• Output Modes: Pre Out, Line Out and HP Out
• Headphone Gain: Low and High
• RCA Output Level: 2.1 V
• XLR Output Level: 4.2 V
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• RCA THD+N: 0.0003% (A-Weight @ 2.1 Vrms)
• XLR THD+N: 0.0003% (A-Weight @ 4.2 Vrms)
• Headphone THD+N: 0.003% (A-Weighted @ 1 Vrms)
• RCA Dynamic Range: 123 dB
• XLR Dynamic Range: 127 dB
• Headphone Dynamic Range: 121 dB
• RCA Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 123 dB (A-Weighted)
• XLR Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 127 dB (A-Weighted)
• Headphone Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 120 dB high gain, 117 dB low gain (A-Weighted)
• RCA Channel Separation: 122 dB
• XLR Channel Separation: 126 dB
• Headphone Channel Separation: 69 dB
• Headphone Output Power (Low Gain): 101 mW @ 32 Ω (1.8 Vrms @ 32 Ω)
• Headphone Output Power (High Gain): 1620 mW @ 32 Ω (7.2 Vrms @ 32 Ω) and 252 mW @ 300 Ω (8.7 Vrms @ 300 Ω)
• Headphone Output Impedance: 3.3 Ω
• Power Supply: 25W + 15W Talema iron-core transformers
• Capacitors: Four 3300 µF / 63 V Vishay
• Chassis: CNC-machined aluminium, classic ONIX black and gold
• Display: 3.4-inch touch screen
• Controls: Touchscreen, remote control and volume wheel
• Dimensions (including base): 32 × 24 × 6.2 cm
• Weight: Approximately 5.7 kg

What's Included

• 1 × ONIX Zenith XDA20 DAC / headphone amplifier
• 1 × Remote control
• 1 × Power cable
• 1 × Manual set