Minneapolis — High-end audio start-up Exogal is bringing its Comet digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to the U.S. market through North American distributor/marketer Axiss Audio following a launch in Europe and Asia.
Exogal, whose name means “out of this galaxy,” was formed by three former Wadia employees, including Jim Kinne, who designed such products as the Wadia 27 decoding computer, Wadia 270 CD transport and the Wadia 790 PowerDAC.
The company said its design philosophy is to “create products that are aesthetically beautiful and that produce extraordinary sound at a fraction of the cost of typical high-end audio systems. “
Exogal’s $2,500 Comet features asynchronous USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF, Toslink, and line-level analog inputs and conversion of digital signals up to 192kHz and 32 bits. A software and firmware upgrade is available to add 384kHz conversion and DSD decoding.
It also features balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, digital volume control, and a price point that’s “thousands below comparable components,” the company said
The Comet can be controlled through free iOS and Android apps. The single-ended and balanced analog outputs can be used simultaneously, and the single-ended outputs can be programmed as stereo or used as a center/subwoofer operation.
The company said it keeps sourcing and manufacturing close to its Minnesota headquarters to shorten design-to-manufacturing times and get products to market more quickly.
Axiss is based in Gardena, Calif.
