Update: HDACC II-4K User Experiences: Real Systems. Real Owners. Real Results.

[Bob Rapoport]

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Magazine reviews, YouTube videos, and lab tests all have their place, but the most meaningful feedback comes from people who bought the product, installed it in their own systems, and lived with the results.

These HDACC II-4K user experiences come from audiophiles, music lovers, musicians, educators, and system builders around the world. Their systems are different, but the common thread is clear: the HDACC II-4K solves a real modern audio problem by connecting today’s HDMI, USB, optical, coaxial, SACD, Blu-ray Audio, Apple TV4K, and 4K sources to the stereo systems people already own and love.

Vintage Systems Brought Back to Life​

“Audiophiles and HDMI don’t always play well together, especially in 2-channel systems. The HDACC II-4K solved both of my system problems. Bob suggested bypassing my McIntosh control center and using the HDACC II-4K as a preamp. I am blown away by the sound quality.”

— Brian C., Audiophile Consumer

“The sound quality of the 2-channel XLR output is fantastic. The YAMAHA CX-A5100’s live program also improved dramatically, becoming much clearer with a better sense of presence. My system has been revived!”

— Yasuyuki, Audiophile Consumer, Japan

“I bought the HDACC II-4K to listen to SACDs properly because my Blu-ray player had no analog output for my vintage Technics system. What I love is the flexibility: HDMI, coaxial, optical, headphone amp, analog input, and great build quality. This is like the Swiss Army Knife of DACs.”

— Sheldon L., Audiophile Consumer

“The main driver was streaming Qobuz from my laptop, but the HDACC II-4K quickly became the control center for my vintage system: Quad ESL 57s, Hartley 24” subwoofer, Bryston preamp, and amps.”

— Larry Hunter, Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K is truly superb. It was exactly what I needed to connect my 4K TV with my Technics system.”

— Sheldon Lozovsky, Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K revealed layers left to explore within my library of music and movies. The clarity and depth already have me returning to albums I thought I knew well. It feels like a solid long-term investment for high-resolution media.”

— Garret Kriston, Musician / Writer

SACD, Blu-ray Audio & Hi Res Music Discovery​

“What really made it an end-game DAC for me was the HDMI inputs. My audio Blu-rays sounded OK through my Yamaha receiver, but when I put the HDACC II-4K into the chain and took the Yamaha out of the loop, the sound went from ‘meh’ to ‘YEAH!’”

— Alan Gooey, Audiophile Consumer, Australia

“I got the HDACC II-4K up and running with the Sony over the weekend and it was awesome. I played Blu-ray Audio and DVD-A discs, and all were better than I have ever heard them. So far, an amazing component.”

— Mike K., Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K brought life to my studio setup. I compared an SACD/DSD version of Joe Jackson’s Body and Soul to my vinyl pressings, and the SACD knocked them both out of the park. I’m excited to explore the SACD and Blu-ray Audio world.”

— Darrin Crawford, Audiophile Consumer, Canada

“I finally received my HDACC II in Hungary and installed it into my system. USB and HDMI worked right away. Finally, I can hear SACD DSD sound from my UHD Blu-ray player in full high resolution.”

— Sandar Toth, Audiophile Consumer, Hungary

“I’m mostly a classical music guy, but I have music in many formats, which is why I chose the HDACC II. Sound quality was uniformly superb, and the biggest surprise was the Blu-ray disc of Let It Bleed by the Stones. It was superior even to the SACD version.”

— Ron L., Audiophile Consumer

“I wanted to play Hi Res music on SACD but most solutions cost many thousands of dollars. The HDACC II-4K was exactly what I needed. SACD playback through Magnepan .7 speakers was completely clear. If you want Hi Res music, just add this and a universal player as a transport.”

— Dennis Cottrell, Audiophile Consumer

“The Essence HDACC II-4K is a giant killer. SACD and DVD-Audio will knock your socks off. It is an absolute bargain in the audiophile world, where it is still too little known.”

— Sunil Sharma, Audiophile Consumer, Vancouver

“I started with a 96kHz / 24-bit FLAC file from my laptop via USB to the HDACC II-4K. Unbelievable sound and dynamic range.”

— Shayne Tueller, Audiophile Consumer

Apple TV4K, Streaming & Modern HDMI Sources​

“An absolute miracle of audio in a small box. If you have an Apple TV4K, this is a must-have.”

— Pat Cook, Consumer

“It started as a way to convert Apple TV HDMI to analog for my NAD, but I got much more. With the DAC portion of the Essence, I’m hearing sounds I’ve never heard before. The HDACC II-4K met and exceeded all my goals.”

— Allen Carpenter, Audiophile Consumer

“Being able to plug HDMI sources directly into the HDACC II-4K instead of going through an extractor and then a DAC is a big plus. Sound quality using HDMI is outstanding, with music sounding stronger, fuller, deeper, and richer.”

— Robert Wong, Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K still sounds great in my system. Tiny Desk Concerts look and sound amazing with an Apple TV4K, your DAC, my stereo, and a Samsung 4K TV.”

— Brian Kengle, Audiophile Consumer

“I needed to handle many HDMI sources without downgrading my Mark Levinson system. The HDACC II-4K works seamlessly without degrading video or audio fidelity. It gives me HDMI switching, optical output, small footprint, display, and remote control. Exactly what I needed.”

— CW Lai, Audiophile Consumer, Singapore

“I connected Amazon Fire TV to the HDACC II-4K, then HDMI to the TV and analog cables to my preamp. The sound is really good. I set it to 384K and it sounds brilliant.”

— Robert Yull

System Control Center / Preamp / DAC Hub​

“Best DAC, preamp, HDMI switcher, balanced output, and remote. Can’t be touched at its price.”

— Ron Bufford, Audiophile Consumer

“Used as a DAC and line stage into active Focal monitors, I was gobsmacked by the sound, especially the deeper, better-defined bass. HDMI sounded far better than the optical connections I had used before. It was like I had added a subwoofer.”

— Don Meriwether, Audiophile Consumer, Atlanta

“The sound quality is top notch, and it has all the inputs and outputs I need. For a home theater setup with two active speakers, it is perfect. I no longer need a big home theater receiver with five amplifier channels I don’t use.”

— Terje Kkjaerpe, Audiophile Consumer, Norway

“The HDACC II-4K took about 10 minutes to integrate into my system. The DAC shines with high-resolution audio such as FLAC, DSF, DSD files, and Blu-ray discs. Stereo separation is perfect, noise is absent, and dynamic range is fantastic.”

— Gabriel Nistor, Audiophile Consumer

“I connected the Essence as a preamp, and it is a wonderful DAC and excellent preamp. The bass is amazing, and the mids and upper ranges are exquisite and detailed. It is certainly an upgrade for me.”

— Sotiri Divaris, Audiophile Consumer, South Africa

“The HDACC II-4K handles all HDMI video sources and integrates nicely with my 2-channel system. The versatility is awesome.”

— Steve Elfvin, Audiophile Consumer

“HDACC II-4K installed. Setup took five seconds, and I am super happy with it.”

— William Rogers

Headphones, Desktop & Nearfield Listening​

“From a practical standpoint, having no perceivable noise and low delay makes this the best ‘soundcard’ I’ve ever plugged into a machine. The headphone amp and connections make me feel I’ll use this hardware for many years.”

— Brandon Kim, Computer Audiophile

“The sound quality of the Essence DAC is superb. I only use headphones, and even from a cable box, PBS Great Performances, classical music, Broadway, and opera sound magical.”

— Alan Hall, Audiophile Consumer

“Using the Sony Blu-ray player into the HDACC II-4K, everything from 44.1kHz to 192kHz works with no issues and sounds great. Thanks for the tech support — not too many companies send personal messages.”

— Pat Vehling, Audiophile Consumer

International Audiophile Reactions​

“After a week of using the HDACC II-4K, everything works perfectly. This DAC takes music listening to a new dimension and is an excellent addition to my traditional stereo setup. I also really like the design and workmanship. It was definitely worth the wait.”

— Dariusz N., Audiophile Consumer, Poland

“WOW! I tested it very quickly and it seems fantastic. I already understand that it is a very high-quality device.”

— Marco Cervi, Audiophile Consumer, Italy

“The Essence HDACC II-4K sounds very good. I am very happy with my purchase.”

— Joel Oye, Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K works brilliantly, and I’m very pleased with the sound it produces.”

— Jake Ross, Audiophile Consumer

“Thanks again for a terrific product. Still enjoying it immensely.”

— Peter Schumacher, Audiophile Consumer

“I love the HDACC II-4K DAC. Super convenient.”

— Steve Parsons, Audiophile Consumer

Professional / Institutional Use​

“We have six classrooms using a Crestron switcher with HDMI only and no simple way to get audio to the power amps. The HDACC II-4K converts the Crestron HDMI output directly to XLR audio and sends it to a Crown power amp 50 feet away. Build quality is impressive and audio quality is top notch.”

— Greg P., EAVA, MCP, A+ Instruction & Research Technology

“The HDACC II-4K packs a lot of power in a small package and punches well above its weight sonically. I’m very satisfied with its clear and transparent sound. With its ESS DAC chip and unique connectivity, this is exactly the DAC I needed.”

— Andrew Dewar, PhD, Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts, University of Alabama

Customer Service & Buying Confidence​

“A superlative product, and bravo on your communication from order receipt to tracking info to usage advice and tips. I do not recall ever receiving an email from the CEO of KEF, Cambridge, Schiit, Eversolo, or anyone else in the industry.”

— Jim Edgar, Audiophile Consumer

“When I first connected the HDACC II-4K, I could not believe my ears. Did I just get a whole new system? This one component made the largest impact on my sound system of anything I have tried. This DAC is worth every penny.”

— Michael Skogsford, Audiophile Consumer

“In combination with my Lyngdorf amp and Paradigm speakers, the whole thing just sings with the HDACC II-4K. It’s like my speakers don’t even exist.”

— Garrett Shelton, Audiophile Consumer

“I had a chance to sit back and appreciate the new setup. Phenomenal. Clean sound, happy speakers, and amazing silence between notes.”

— Tim Eastman, Audiophile Consumer

“The HDACC II-4K fills a need that no one else is addressing. My music sounds so much better than with the integrated amp. I’m really enjoying it.”

— Dan Davis, Audiophile Consumer

Press / Review Highlights​

“For $599, the Essence HDACC II-4K receives a major uptick in audio quality over the original HDACC, plus HDMI v2.0 compatibility. Its small footprint, connection power, headphone capability, and amplifier drive extend its reign as the Swiss Army Knife of D/A converters.”

— John Gatski, Everything Audio Network

“The HDACC II-4K is one of the few DACs with HDMI connectivity, and adding SACD/DSD support over HDMI is icing on the cake. It was named EAN Product of the Year, Best Update.”

— John Gatski, Everything Audio Network

“The unique functionality and usability of the Essence HDACC II-4K pushed me to put it on my recommended list.”

— Amir M., Audio Science Review

“The Essence HDACC II-4K makes it easy to connect modern sources like Apple TV4K, Blu-ray / SACD players, or 4K streamers to a classic stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or hi-fi system. This high-performance DAC bridges the digital and analog worlds with audiophile-grade sound.”

— Travis Ballstadt, AVNIRVANA

“For direct use with a TV, especially for zero-delay audio with a vintage analog system, nothing else in this price class beats the Essence.”

— ChatGPT


Every system is different, but the pattern is clear: the HDACC II-4K gives modern HDMI and Hi Res Audio sources a direct path into the stereo systems people already own and love. If you’re trying to connect Apple TV4K, Blu-ray Audio, SACD, 4K video, USB, optical, or coaxial sources to a serious 2-channel system, this is exactly the problem the HDACC II-4K was designed to solve.

Click here to learn more about the Essence HDACC II-4K HDMI DAC.