Hyperion
from $30,200 Made to order
Request a build slot Deposit, lead time and warrantyAll units in the photos are real. Some photos are AI-enhanced to improve image quality.
Sound
Organic and natural
The midrange is expressive, the low end deep and controlled, and harmonic decays are left to fade on their own rather than being cut short.
Output stage
Solid-state, or a tube for more air
Stock output is solid-state; a tube output stage can be fitted for those who want more body and air around voices.
Inputs
Coaxial and USB
Red Book over S/PDIF coaxial; up to 24-bit / 192 kHz and DSD256 over USB; a 2 V line output.
Made to order
Agreed before the build
Output stage, rectifier, output level, transformers and inputs are agreed before the build starts.
Hyperion
Numbered unit — Opus No. on the nameplate
- Model
- Delta-sigma DAC on the Cirrus Logic CS4397 with a solid-state or tube output stage
- In brief
- A delta-sigma DAC that sounds unhurried, built around the Cirrus Logic CS4397.
- Queue deposit
- 50% · from $15,100
- Lead time
- Seven pieces of gear a year, each built by hand to order. Current lead time: six months or more.
- Origin
- Made in Kazakhstan by Dmitriy Gubchenko
- Warranty
- 1 year (extra warranty available: +1 or +2 years)
Part of the Invictus Valour collection
- Music it suits
- Vocal · jazz · chamber and orchestral · long listening sessions
- Compared with
-
- Reference Tube DAC (multibit versions)
From the atelier
A delta-sigma DAC that sounds unhurried
Hyperion is built around the Cirrus Logic (Crystal Semiconductor) CS4397, a multibit delta-sigma converter known for an organic, natural presentation. The midrange is expressive, the low end deep and controlled, and harmonic decays are left to fade on their own rather than being cut short.
Where it fits
It takes S/PDIF coaxial and USB (Amanero) — Red Book over coaxial, up to 24-bit / 192 kHz and DSD256 over USB — and drives a line input at 2 V. Stock output is solid-state; a tube output stage on 6Zh4, EF14, EL8, AL4 or ML6 can be fitted for those who want more body and air around voices.
Built for your system
Each unit is tuned to the order: output stage, rectifier, output level, transformers and inputs are agreed before the build starts. A ground-lift switch helps break hum loops in larger systems.
Lid closedLid openDemograf Audio Hyperion CS4397 Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
Vintage EF14 Telefunken. Jensen & Duelund Capacitors. Tango Transformers. Kenotron PSU.
Chassis and parts
The stock unit comes in a classic black metal housing; hardwood, milled metal and glass versions are made to order. Transformers are galvanically isolated, and the internal wiring is Proprietary “RareCoreFusion” Alloy.
- Inputs: S/PDIF coaxial, USB (Amanero); I2S, AES/EBU, BNC, optical and master-clock inputs on request
- Output 2 V, RCA (4 V and balanced XLR optional)
- Rectifier: solid-state, or 5Ts4M / 5Y3 kenotron
- Ground lift switch
| Component | Manufacturer | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|
| DAC chip CS4397 | Cirrus Logic (Crystal Semiconductor) | USA |
| USB interface | Amanero | Italy |
| Output tubes 6Zh4 / EF14 / EL8 / AL4 / ML6 (option) | NOS, selected | US / EU / UK (NOS) / Other Vintage |
| Rectifier 5Ts4M / 5Y3 (option) | NOS, selected | US / EU / UK (NOS) / Other Vintage |
| Power transformers (galvanically isolated) | Demograf Audio (custom-wound) | or analog by Hashimoto / Tango / Tamura |
| Internal wiring: Proprietary “RareCoreFusion” Alloy | Demograf Audio | Own manufacture |
Photo {n} of {total}
Simplified diagram of the stock configuration. The exact circuit for your options is confirmed with the atelier.
Specification
Download the brochure PDF · EN · 0.8 MB
Measured on the stock configuration; options may change the figures.
- Type
- Digital-to-analogue converter, delta-sigma
- DAC chip
- Cirrus Logic CS4397
- Frequency range
- 10 Hz – 20 kHz
- PCM
- 16-bit / 44.1 kHz via S/PDIF; up to 24-bit / 192 kHz via USB (Amanero)
- DSD
- Up to DSD256 via USB (Amanero)
- Digital inputs
- S/PDIF coaxial · USB (Amanero)
- Analogue outputs
- RCA unbalanced (balanced XLR optional)
- Output voltage
- 2 V (4 V optional)
- Output stage
- Solid-state; tube 6Zh4 / EF14 / EL8 / AL4 / ML6 optional
- Rectifier
- Solid-state; 5Ts4M or 5Y3 kenotron optional
- Transformers
- Galvanically isolated
- Internal wiring
- Proprietary “RareCoreFusion” Alloy wire
- Features
- Ground lift switch
- Mains
- 100 / 120 / 230 V — set at order time, plug to match (NEMA, Schuko, BS 1363 / type G)
- Weight
- From 10 kg, depending on configuration
- Dimensions (W × D × H)
- 430 × 450 × 120 mm (custom sizes available)
Custom options
Stock items are included in the price. Every option is agreed with the atelier before the build starts.
Output stage
- Solid-state output Stock
- 6Zh4 tube output
- AL4 tube output
- EL8 tube output
- EF14 tube output
- ML6 tube output
- Tube-switching module
Rectifier
- Solid-state rectifier Stock
- 5Ts4M kenotron
- 5Y3 kenotron
- Other type, specified on order
Output level
- 2 V Stock
- 4 V
- Other, specified on order
Components
- Premium capacitors
- Custom transformers and chokes
- AMRG resistors and Cardas wiring kit
- Top connector set
- Multi-DAC topology
- Upgraded external power supply
- Vintage tubes
- ALPS volume control
- Demograf Audio Swiss-stepped preamplifier
- Integrated Class A amplifier
- Integrated Class D amplifier
- Tone control / filter module
- Raspberry Pi 5 streamer inside
- Spare matched pair of low-noise tubes
Extra inputs and outputs
- S/PDIF coaxial input
- BNC input
- AES/EBU input
- Optical (TOSLINK) input
- I2S (HDMI) input
- Master clock input
- Additional RCA output
- Balanced XLR output
Mains inlet and contacts
- IEC C14 inlet Stock
- IEC C20 high-current inlet
- Pure copper contacts, unplated Stock
- Gold-plated contacts
- Rhodium-plated contacts
Finish
- Classic black metal housing Stock
- Precision-milled metal chassis
- Contoured bent-metal enclosure
- Solid-billet metal enclosure
- Exotic hardwood chassis
- Glass-integrated design
- Wood inlays and accents
- Galvanic finishing
- Custom dimensions
- Status display
- Remote control
- Priority build
Regional version
- 230 V — Schuko plug (Europe) Stock
- 120 V — NEMA plug (North America)
- 100 V — NEMA plug (Japan)
- 230 V — BS 1363 / type G plug (UK · Middle East)
- CS4397 tube DAC and Tantal: one owner’s long-term review
- Hyperion vs Krell Reference 64: an owner compares AL4, EL8 and EF14 output stages
- Tantal 3C24 amplifier with electrostatic headphones: owners’ review
- Demograf Audio 300B amplifier and CS4397 DAC: a headphone system reviewed by listeners
- Demograf Audio Hyperion vs Rockna Wavedream: an owner’s comparison
- Demograf Audio Hyperion vs Lampizator Golden Gate II: owners’ comparison
- Hyperion CS4397 tube DAC: owners’ reviews
- DAC chips compared by ear: TDA1540, TDA1541, TDA1547, PCM1704 and CS4397
- Demograf Audio Hyperion vs MSB Analog DAC: listeners’ comparison
- Demograf Audio Hyperion vs dCS Debussy: an owner’s blind comparison
- 6B4G tube amplifier with a CS4397 DAC: one owner’s Demograf Audio system
Pairs well with
Does the Hyperion use tubes?
Hyperion is solid-state by default. If you choose a tube output stage (6Zh4, EF14, EL8, AL4 or ML6) or a 5Ts4M / 5Y3 kenotron rectifier, those tubes are selected and matched before fitting. Tubes are consumables and are not covered by the warranty.
How is the Hyperion serviced?
Each unit ships with its own measurement report. The circuit is kept simple and serviceable, and Demograf Audio gear is serviced for as long as parts exist.
How is it delivered?
Shipping and insurance are paid by the buyer and shown as a separate line in your quotation. Every unit is packed for long-distance transport in heavy-duty flight cases and a wooden crate.
Which mains voltage and plug?
Each piece of gear is built for 100 V, 120 V or 230 V mains with the matching plug (NEMA, Schuko or BS 1363 / type G). The voltage is fixed at order time, so tell us where the unit will be used.
How long does the Hyperion take to build?
Build time is six months or more from the queue deposit, depending on the configuration and the queue; delivery takes from one month after completion. The atelier builds seven instruments a year. A priority build is available for an extra 50% of the price: your unit is moved ahead in the build queue.
* Photos are taken from real systems and show the specific configuration of a particular customer; your unit can look the way you want — all our equipment is fully customisable.
