Reference Portable Digital Audio Player (Dual ES9038Q2M)
Specifications
| Category | Dap |
|---|---|
| Brand | Reference Audio |
| Form factor | Handheld |
| Power source | Battery |
| DAC chip | Dual ES9038Q2M |
| Amp topology | Class A balanced (BTL) |
| Output power @ 32Ω | 650 mW |
| Output power @ 300Ω | 210 mW |
| Output impedance | 0.8 Ω |
| SNR | 125 dB |
| THD | 0.0006 % |
| Max PCM rate | 32-bit / 768 kHz |
| Max DSD | DSD512 |
| MQA support | yes |
| Price (USD) | $2499 |
| Release year | 2024 |
Overview
Flagship-class portable digital audio player targeting desktop-grade fidelity in a handheld chassis. Dual ES9038Q2M Sabre DACs run in mono-per-channel configuration to drop crosstalk to -130 dB; a discrete Class A balanced amplifier stage delivers 650 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm Pentaconn balanced output.
Full PCM and DSD support: 32-bit / 768 kHz PCM, native DSD512, MQA full hardware decode. Outputs both 4.4 mm balanced (Pentaconn JEITA RC-8141C) and 3.5 mm TRS single-ended. The 4.4 mm balanced jack is the canonical termination for everything in the IEM and headphone cable catalog.
Pairing recommendations include the reference open-back planar (650 mW @ 32 Ω is plenty for planar drive) and the tribrid hybrid IEM (Pentaconn balanced output matches the tribrid’s source termination).
Output jacks
Recommended pairings
Reference Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone — Studio Flagship
32Ω · planar-magnetic
Reference Single-Dynamic-Driver IEM (Beryllium-Coated)
16Ω · dynamic
Tribrid Flagship IEM (1 DD + 4 BA + 2 EST)
18Ω · hybrid