Herb Reichert, Stereophile Magazine

“Connoisseur-level NOS R-2R sound… Extreme clarity, timbral beauty, and fit, athletic boogie factor.”

Terry London, Stereo Times

“I have had vast experience with many highly regarded DACs, reviewed many, and own three highly regarded ones. Two of them exceed the price of the Aero by at least $10,000 or more, yet the LTA Aero DAC easily hangs with them regarding performance and the amount of musical pleasure I derive in listening to it.”

Lachlan Fennen, Passion For Sound

“It’s tonality, naturalness, and timbre is as good as anything I’ve heard at any price. In other words, the LTA Aero DAC is the best DAC I’ve heard short of far more expensive options.”

Steve Guttenberg, The Audiophiliac

“You are just drawn into the music because you feel the musician’s enthusiasm, their energy is coming through so well. That’s what really makes the Aero special.”

Why the Aero is Different

Vacuum Tube Tone and Timbre

Two vacuum tubes in the output stage provide a natural, life-like tonality and timbre. The Aero ships with 12SN7 output tubes, but 6SN7 tubes can be used with a simple switch on the back panel. Thanks to the ZOTL design, these tubes operate at ⅓ the heat and offer 2-3 times the life of conventional vacuum tube equipment.

AD1865 DAC Chip

We chose the Analog Devices AD1865 R2R DAC chip, often called the "vinyl DAC" for its organic analog sound. This non-oversampling chip, used in other DACs costing over $100,000, provides the purest sound without digital filters.

Power Supplies

The Aero features six separate, individually isolated power supplies with over 300,000μF of combined storage capacitance. This robust power system ensures a large power reservoir, significantly enhancing overall sound quality.

Input Stage

Instead of conventional USB and SPDIF chips, the Aero uses a powerful ARM processor for its input stage. This chipset, developed by a company with 20 years of digital frontend experience, provides superior instrument separation and plug-and-play ease of use on all platforms.

DAC Interface

The LTA-designed DAC interface - which converts the DAC’s current to voltage then passes it to the output stage - presents a consistent load to the DAC chip across its performance band. This continuously self-correcting I/V stage creates a wider soundstage and improved detail.

Output Stage

The output stage is where we bring in the magic of David Berning’s patented ZOTL vacuum tube circuit. This pure Class-A balanced design, directly coupled without capacitors, delivers a 3D soundstage, dynamic range, and musical transparency characteristic of ZOTL technology.

[insert Image of inside of Aero here]

• R2R Ladder DAC: No oversampling and no digital filters for organic sound

• Class-A ZOTL Output Stage: The first and only DAC in the world to use ZOTL technology for natural tonality and 3D imaging

• Zero Negative Feedback: No global or local feedback for timbral accuracy and enhanced transient response

• Balanced XLR Outputs: Enhanced signal quality and crystal clear audio

• Three Inputs: USB, Optical, and Coax inputs for flexible connectivity - all play 24 bit 192K

• Digital Galvanic Isolation: Blocks noise from music sources entering the DAC circuit

• Six dedicated power supplies with advanced low noise regulation and over 300,000uF of capacitance for reserve voltage storage

• Direct-Coupled Topology: No capacitors in the signal path

• Advanced Protection: Circuitry to protect downstream components from tube failures

• Easy Tube Swapping: Fully visible tubes and simple toggle switch for using either 6SN7 or 12SN7 output tubes

• Plug & Play: No drivers needed for Windows or Mac

• Made in the USA: Designed and built in our Takoma Park, MD workshop

• Roon Tested: Certified integration with Roon for easy plug-n-play setup

“The Aero has unlocked that emotional involvement with the digital format. I sat down with a cup of coffee and did side to side comparison with 24/192 recordings and the LP. My vinyl system is Sota Nova/Grado/Modwright. If I didn’t pay attention when switching between formats I would have to check to see what format was actually playing.”  ~MM

“LTA has hit another bases loaded home run... All of those 12SN7 tubes in the audio chain allow the operatic vocals to sound rich, luscious, liquid honey sweet, and laid back. Hall ambience is easy to hear and I feel like I'm seated in 4th row center.” ~SB

“The Aero DAC brought a fluidity to streaming high-resolution audio from Qobuz and Tidal that was truly striking. On superior recordings, brass instruments were rendered with outstanding transparency and realism, while drums exhibited a vibrant sheen. Treble extensions in all instruments were lively yet smooth, avoiding any harshness. Vocals, from artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Patricia Barber, Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, and Frank Sinatra, were intimate and detailed, capturing every breath with clarity. In conclusion, the Aero DAC excels in delivering engaging, musical sound devoid of the typical digital artifacts often associated with digital playback.” ~RG

“I did play a couple songs I know well with my [well-known R2R DAC] and then the same tracks with the Aero, which killed my old DAC. Way more texture and richness to the music without sacrificing detail. Smooth and full sounding, plus dynamic. Fit and finish of the case is very impressive as well.” ~ CB

“I'm very pleased with the improvement over what I currently have. I have a [popular R2R DAC]  The Aero just sounds better to me and the [other DAC] is no slouch having been reviewed highly and praised by many. I also was very impressed by the new look of the Aero. Great packaging btw. Overall, I think you could be asking and getting more for the unit.” ~DH

“I have had another DAC with the same chip through here and the difference in sound is startling. In fact the sound is different than pretty well anything I have had in the system period. Interesting blend of natural tonality, intensity, clarity and detail without becoming harsh. Nothing laid back about this presentation but rather engaging which is refreshing. Fit and finish are really good, though understated in looks the quality of the build is obvious. Shipping box well organized. Really well done.” ~JG

“The Aero has unlocked that emotional involvement with the digital  format. I sat down with a cup of coffee and did side to side comparison with 24/192 recordings and the LP. My vinyl system is  Sota Nova/Grado/Modwright. If I didn’t pay attention when switching  between formats I would have to check to see what format was actually playing.” ~Mark M.

“All fancy audiophile talk aside, this thing is just a joy. It has that remarkably LTA thing about it in the way that it reveals so much while remaining warm and dead neutral.  Listening, I feel like the Aero is sacrificing or compromising nothing.” ~Mike M.

“Out of the box already nothing else I have sounds better. All those positive comments are not overstated at all, and it even outperformed my [other DAC] which cost me 3x the price of Aero.” ~Toto L.

“Day three with my Aero and I will not even try to explain what I'm hearing or feeling other than say it is the greatest audio experience I've had. I hope many people can hear this DAC for themselves. In the end, I am beyond pleased.” ~Sam C.

Specifications

• Inputs: USB, RCA Coax, Toslink / Optical

• Outputs: RCA (70 ohm), XLR (140 ohm)

• Formats: Up to 24-bit / 192 kHz PCM

• DAC: Analog Devices AD1865 R2R

• Output Voltage:

  • RCA: 2.2 Vrms

  • XLR: 4.4 Vrms

• THD+N:

  • RCA: 0.54% at 1.1 Vpeak.

  • XLR: 0.061% at 2.2 Vpeak

• Hum:

  • RCA: -110dB at 1.1 Vpeak

  • XLR: -116dB at 2.2 Vpeak

• Frequency Response: -0.3dB at 20Hz and -0.8dB at 20kHz

• Tube Complement: 2 x 12SN7 (6SN7 tubes can also be used)

• Power Consumption: 32W (Standby: 7W)

• Dimensions:

  • Width: 17in

  • Depth: 10in (10.5 in including connectors)

  • Height: 3in (not including tubes), ~4.5in (with stock tubes installed)

• Weight: Approx 15 lbs

FAQs