“In 2026, Audio Note finally announced the successful development of its all-new, chip-less IZVOR DAC decoding module, which will be integrated into the maker’s Fifth Element, DAC 5, and DAC 4.1 models, while also offering paths to upgrade for existing owners of these units. IZVOR (pronounced is-vor, derived from the Slavic word for ‘source’ or ‘fountain’) is the precious fruition of 12 years of research and development, made possible by providing the design team with virtually unlimited development resources, to meticulously scrutinize every detail of the ladder DAC topology. Every stage of IZVOR has undergone rigorous experimentation and testing, including the all-important real-world listening.”
“If you want a ladder DAC to sound analogue, don’t build it like a computer. Instead, resistors of the same top-quality found in Audio Note phono stages should be selected. Darko Greguras, the designer of IZVOR, further explains that designing the IZVOR is like crafting a musical instrument — it is all about the harmony and complementary characteristics between components. By designing a circuit board that can accommodate larger resistor sizes, he was able to perform precise sonic fine-tuning using a wider range of Audio Note parts. He even specifically designed an all-new 1W, non-magnetic, full-silver Nichrome resistor with a tolerance of less than 1% just for the IZVOR!”

“Only the finest materials are used without considering the budget.”

“The exact qualities that Fifth Element is most famous for—its superb resolution, meticulous detail, full-frequency balance, precise vocal and instrumental imaging, layering, and rich sound stage — are all reproduced here at a much higher echelon and with even greater allure. The silence of the musical background is pitch-black, revealing an astonishing abundance of details, and elevating the musical listening experience to a truly superlative realm!”

“The musical picture it weaves together makes you lose yourself in it completely, with absolute emotional infectiousness. The musicality created by the IZVOR DAC is as close as it gets to high-end vinyl playback, bursting with a rich analogue flavor.”

“The superb quality of the Fifth Element IZVOR is truly without a doubt.”

Big Grass (Lincoln)
Audiotechnique
2026.10

Related product: https://elephant.com.hk/products/izvor/