Arcam rPAC review

We tested the rPAC with a pair of Behringer Truth studio monitors and Shure SH535 headphones, equipment that’s good enough to really show up both the flaws and qualities of the sound. The DAC has a maximum sample rate of 96kHz and a bit depth of up to 24-bit, but you’ll probably spend most of your time playing audio files recorded at 44.1kHz and 16-bit, the specification of the CD audio standard. The rPAC has a frequency response of 10Hz to 20,000Hz and a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR – a measurement indicating how much more powerful the signal is than any background noise) of 106dB, while the dedicated headphone amp has an SNR of 98dB.

In terms of audio output quality, the rPAC’s nearest match among our reference kit is the production-oriented Propellerhead Balance, but the rPAC kicks out more volume and sounds a little brighter. Its sound quality is nothing short of stunning – flat, balanced and with a great sense of space and separation. We were particularly impressed by the reproduction of recordings with strong stereo separation.

All our musical test files, from a vintage recording of the LSO performing Beethoven’s 6th symphony to the loud, busy and intricate guitar work of melodic death metal, were reproduced in stunning detail. You can hear the slap of drum skins, fret noises from guitars and breath sounds from woodwind instruments as clearly as if you were in the same room with them.

Although this DAC sounds astonishingly good, particularly if you’ve got high-quality equipment to go with it, it’s definitely not for everyone. Most PC users will be entirely happy with a cheaper device that can also be used for surround sound entertainment or for recording from a microphone, whether it’s an internal sound card such as the Asus Xonar DX or an external device in the vein of the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi 5.1 Pro.

The rPAC is entirely unashamed about what it is – this is a high-end USB audio processor for people who’re really into their music. We’re not keen on the term “audiophile”, but if anything qualifies as an audiophile sound card, then this does. Also, at £150, it costs less than many audiophile-branded sound cards and benefits from portability and fantastic audio reproduction. If you have high-end speakers (or fantastic headphones) and rip your music at the highest quality around, then the rPAC belongs on your desk.