ESS Technology sabre32

Will this DAC chip make current DAC's obsolete? The press release from the Consumer Electronic makes it sound that way. The price will for manufacturer's will be $29 in lots of 1000. Should I wait to make a plunge into a quality DAC?

FREMONT, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
ESS Technology, a leading provider of high performance audio/video solutions,
today announced the addition of two new Sabre32 Reference 32-bit Audio DAC parts
to its Vista family of high-definition audiovisual product line.

The Sabre32 Reference DAC is an enhancement to the original Sabre Reference DAC
that has taken the audio world by storm since its introduction in January 2008,
through its superior performance and jitter-free sound clarity made possible by
the ESS patented Hyperstream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator.

Using an enhanced 32-bit Hyperstream architecture, the Sabre32 Reference DAC
further extends the original Sabre Reference`s from 24-bit to 32-bit music and
raises its mind-boggling performance even higher to 135dB dynamic range and
-120dB THD.

The Sabre32 Reference DAC is available in two versions - the ES9018 8-channel
DAC supports mono, stereo, 4- and 8-channel output modes, while the ES9012
2-channel DAC supports stereo output. Each part integrates an all-digital SPDIF
receiver, supports digital audio in PCM or DSD formats, features click-free soft
mute, volume control, de-emphasis, zero detect, customizable filter
characteristics and consumes less than 100mW.

Robert Wong, vice-president of marketing and worldwide sales for ESS Technology,
said, "The Sabre32 Reference DAC is a perfect companion for the emerging 32-bit
audio content generated by music studios and DSP up-conversion. Together with
other ESS Sabre32 and Sabre ADCs and DACs, audio enthusiasts can now enjoy music
with performance never before possible. It is simply stunning."

Both the ES9018 Sabre32 Reference 8-channel DAC and the ES9012 Sabre32 Reference
Stereo DAC are sampling in 64-LQFP package and priced at $39 in quantities of
1000.

The Sabre32 Reference DACs will be demonstrated January 8 - 11, 2009 at the
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at the Hilton. Appointments may be
scheduled by calling Wendy Chafer at 510-492-1180.

About ESS Technology

ESS Technology, Inc. designs and markets high-performance audio/video products
for the consumer market.

ESS`s VistaTM product line features high-definition solutions such as the
Phoenix and Phoenix-II series of HD-Enhanced DVD processors, 1080p Video
Up-converters, HDMI transmitters, Sabre series of HyperstreamTM audio
digital-to-analog converters and other products for digital television.

ESS`s Sabre HyperstreamTM audio digital-to-analog converter series, consisting
of Sabre Reference and Sabre Premier, is the world`s first 8-channel audio DAC
solution to bring true professional digital audio to the mass consumer home
entertainment market. The Sabre series has been designed into some the world`s
most prestigious audiophile equipments, including Blu-ray players, CD/SACD
players, and A/V preamps.

ESS is headquartered in Fremont, California, and has R&D, sales, and technical
support offices worldwide. ESS Technology's web site address is: