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Condition is unknown, so I’d treat this as a straight price check rather than a condition premium. At US$4,699, it’s sitting just above the US$4,599 median and well below the US$4,777 75th percentile, so this reads as a fair-to-strong ask, not an aggressive one. It is not a bargain by percentile math, but it is close enough to the middle of the market that a buyer wouldn’t be out of line to pursue it if the unit is complete and tidy.
That makes sense for a well-regarded hybrid DAC like this, which has appeal for its tube-flavored presentation without giving up the control and resolution people want from a serious converter. The upside is strongest if it’s been cared for, still has the original box, remote, or accessories, and shows no sign of tube-age issues or service history gaps; with those boxes checked, this is a perfectly sensible buy for someone who wants a musical, high-end DAC and doesn’t want to wait for a cheaper example.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Aqua Acoustic Quality, founded in 2010 in Milan, Italy, emerged from the vision of product designer and CEO Cristian Anelli, alongside electronics specialist Stefano Jelo. Operating as a boutique two-man team in the city's Opera district, the company embodies a hands-on ethos, with Anelli crafting circuits and Jelo managing outreach. This Italian heritage roots Aqua in a tradition of meticulous engineering, prioritizing sonic purity over commercial trends from its inception.
The brand focuses intently on digital audio reproduction, excelling in high-end DACs such as the acclaimed Formula xHD, La Voce, and La Scala models—some featuring discrete designs and tube output stages for refined analog-like warmth. Complementing these are network interfaces like the LinQ, CD transports including the La Diva M2, and a select range of speakers: the Tenore, Contralto, and flagship Mimesis. This narrow specialization underscores their mastery of the digital domain, shunning broader categories like amplifiers or turntables.
Positioned as a niche high-end contender, Aqua Acoustic Quality commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its hand-built, innovation-driven gear that recreates live music's fidelity. Free from market fashions, their Milan-made products—often showcased at events like Rocky Mountain Audio Fest—earn praise in specialist circles for exceptional transparency and build, appealing to buyers seeking true hi-fi excellence over mass appeal.
See all Aqua Acoustic listings on RADAR.
