Rockna Audio — DAC

WaveLight

A masterpiece of programmable R2R architecture and analogue preamplifier precision.

The WaveLight stands as a testament to the pursuit of fluid, uncompromised digital playback within the Rockna Audio portfolio. By eschewing off-the-shelf conversion chips in favour of a highly flexible Xilinx Spartan-7 FPGA architecture, this exceptional component acts as a living audio system that can adapt and evolve through firmware updates. It represents a precise distillation of the company's cost-no-object engineering, designed to bring reference-tier R2R performance into a more streamlined, versatile chassis. At the core of its digital engine is a bespoke 25-bit discrete R2R ladder network, coupled with advanced processing units that handle high-precision calculations in real time. Rather than relying on generic conversion methods, the WaveLight utilizes custom Parks-McClellan upsampling filters to preserve critical timing and spatial cues. This meticulous processing is paired with a fully discrete, digitally controlled analogue volume control and an analogue input path, allowing it to serve as a high-end preamplifier that drives power amplifiers directly without any digital data truncation. Sonically, the WaveLight delivers an intensely musical and non-fatiguing presentation that expertly bridges the gap between digital precision and organic analogue warmth. It is celebrated for its exceptional control over the lower frequencies, rendering punchy, addictive bass lines with absolute grip and texture. The overall soundstage is deeply layered and holographic, inviting the listener into a natural, relaxed musical landscape that remains entirely honest to the original recording.

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Key Features

Software-defined FPGA processing

Driven by a powerful Xilinx Spartan-7 engine running custom VHDL coding, allowing for continuous performance enhancements via firmware updates.

Digitally controlled analogue preamp

Features a fully discrete analogue signal path and volume attenuation to prevent digital data truncation when driving amplifiers directly.

Femtovox2 jitter mitigation

Utilises a memory-buffered digital phase-locked loop and a custom input clock-decoupling scheme to ensure absolute timing accuracy.

Bespoke upsampling filters

Employs an advanced convolution algorithm with 2,500 points, offering four user-selectable filter profiles including linear, minimum phase, hybrid, and NOS modes.

Linear power supply

Equipped with two independent toroidal power transformers and a filtering bank capacity exceeding 100,000 microfarads to isolate digital and analogue sections.

Chapter 01

Architectural Innovation

The WaveLight breaks away from standard industrial conventions by processing digital audio as a high-speed analogue phenomenon. Every internal trace and board layout is engineered with radio-frequency mitigation techniques to avoid standard pitfalls like ringing, reflections, and crosstalk. By routing signal processing through custom FPGA blocks, Rockna ensures that the hardware remains perfectly optimized for the 25-bit discrete conversion boards, resulting in unmatched purity before the signal even reaches the analogue stage.

Chapter 02

Listening Notes

On the track, the WaveLight provides an exquisite sense of control that effectively detaches the room's acoustics from the listening equation. The bass reproduction is addictive, offering a level of grip, definition, and structural weight that challenges far more costly multi-box digital systems. Engaging the minimum phase filter reveals a highly tactile and rhythmically driven presentation, delivering a tonal density that feels wonderfully robust without ever pushing or thickening the soundstage.

Specifications

Digital processingSilicon technology: Xilinx Spartan7 ; Dac type: R2R 25 bit + Hybrid mode (in development) ; Memory-based PLL, digital domain only: 300 fS jitter ; Custom digital filters: NOS, linear, minimum and hybrid phase, 8x ; Filter type: (advanced convolution) Parks-McClellan, 2.5K taps ; Mathematical precision: 60 bit ; Stopband attenuation: - 135 dB ; Passband ripple: 0,00003 dB ; Volume control: Digitaly controlled ANALOG

Dimensions430 x 300 x 55 mm

Weight (net/shipping)7.25/10 Kg