RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Aqua Acoustic La Scala Digital Analog Converter (DAC) Selling my beloved DAC, handcrafted in Italy. Build is exemplary. This is an R2R (Resistor Ladder) DAC known for its warm, musical sound and beautifully layered soundstage—ideal for jazz, instrumental, and vocal-focused music. It delivers a smooth, non-fatiguing listening experience, even at higher volumes. If you're after that rich, analog tube warmth, this DAC is the perfect match. It features a Mullard ECC81 tube in the XLR analog output stage—widely regarded on forums as the best-sounding tube for this unit. The standard fuse has be
At A$5,000, this Aqua Acoustic SCALA (Digital) is a strong deal, sitting well below the typical used market where the original La Scala MKII Optologic often trades between A$5,700 and A$6,500, and the newer MKIII now commands A$9,000–A$13,900 new. With the original model’s new price having been roughly A$10,000 (€4,890), you’re getting high-end multibit Burr-Brown PCM1704-K performance at a fraction of that cost, and the listing price is clearly under the 25th percentile of recent used sales.
This DAC is well-regarded for its organic, non-fatiguing sound and wide soundstage, thanks to its R2R multibit architecture and dual E-L core transformers that cleanly separate digital and analog sections. The MKII’s upgradeable USB module and support for up to 384kHz PCM and DSD128 add meaningful longevity, and if this is a clean, original-owner unit (as “unknown” condition often implies in cautious listings), it’s a genuine buying opportunity for those seeking Audiophilia’s praised “natural” sonic character. No major caveats apply at this price unless the condition turns out to be poor.
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.
