GeerFab Audio D.Box Black

Behind the GeerFab Audio brand is eric Geer, an American who has been working for the pro-audio division of the NAMM organization for many years. With the D.BOB, he has developed the solution to a problem of the hi-fi world that is more than 20 years old. The small device can pass the DSD data of an SACD to an external DAC - with intact encryption and completely legal. The same works with the data of a Blu-Ray audio with z.B. 24 bit/192 kHz resolution and with Blu-Ray movies.

With the D.BOB, music and film lovers no longer depend on the sonic abilities of a surround receiver or the built-in D/A converter in their player. Instead, it can now be connected to high-quality external D/A converters. To make this technically work, follow the following pattern:

A Blu-Ray player with HDMI output (from version 1.4) that can play SACDs is connected to the D.BOB using an HDMI cable. In the player's menu, it should be set to output RAW/bitstream data in stereo format. If the image is also to be transmitted to a TV at the same time, there is an additional HDMI output for this purpose with the D.BOB.

From the D.BOB you go with an optical, or even better with a shielded 75-ohm digital cable to a modern D/A converter, which masters the standard DOP (DSD over PCM). This is the case with most converters that can process DSD via USB. Here is a regularly updated list of compatible models.

The converter locks in on the DSD64 signal (SACD) or 24/192 PCM signal (Blu-ray audio) when it is ensured that the D.BOB and then the player is turned on. From this moment on, the player only serves as a pure drive. Sound is a completely different level than before. DHCP copy protection remains intact. It is not possible to start a digital recording at the digital output of the D.BOB.

The D.BOB has a power consumption of < 1 watt and can remain permanently on the grid. It does not get warm during operation and has non-slip feet that carry its all-metal housing.

For optimal sound results, use a high-quality HDMI and digital cable. Optionally, you can upgrade the D.BOB power cable or deal with an external 12 volt power supply with stabilized power supply.

Features:

• Extracts DSD64 and PCM up to 24/192 from the HDMI data stream from a player/transport with HDMI out
• Outputs DSD64 via the DoP (DSD over PCM) protocol and hi-res PCM up to 24/192 through the S/PDIF Coax and Toslink Optical outputs to an external DAC
• Fully HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and copy protection compliant
• HDMI pass-through for player menu settings and other video uses
• Mini-USB for firmware updates
• DC 12V input for battery power (AC to DC adapter included)

Nominated for a 2021 NAMM TEC Award for Technical Excellence

As Seen In The Absolute Sound's 2021 High-End Audio Buyer's Guide!

The GeerFab Audio Digital BreakOut Box (D.BOB) extracts DSD64 and up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM from discs to an external digital audio converter. Unlock the DSD64 and hi-res PCM from your SACDs and Blu-ray Audio discs, then output the data stream to an external DAC for D/A conversion with full HD copy protection.

"I loaded the Oppo [UDP-105 universal player] with a recent SACD of pianist Romain Nosbaum playing a selection of 'Saudades' by Spanish and Latin-American composers (SACD, ARS 38 287). It's a delightful hour of charming, witty music, played with panache and nicely recorded. I had been enjoying this recording in multichannel via a ripped file on my server; played in stereo direct from disc, via the D.BOB and my Mytek Brooklyn DAC, it lost a little ambiance (relative to multichannel) and gained a little focus. When I compared the stereo DSD file with the D.BOB disc playback, there was little to choose between. With more complex music, such as the spritely and elegant Sextet Op.142 by Ferdinand Ries, performed by the Franz Ensemble (SACD, MDG 903 2136-6), the stereo-file-to-D.BOB comparison was still a draw.

I also made comparisons between the GeerFab S/PDIF output and the direct connection from the Oppo to the Brooklyn with the same recordings, but since the Oppo (like other players) does not support DSD via its S/PDIF output, I was comparing the DSD tracks with the Redbook CD tracks. Even so, the differences were small once the levels were matched. I consistently felt that DSD via the GeerFab had more generous ambience and smoother treble. That's a sighted comparison leading to a subtle, subjective distinction, so I prefer the conclusion that DSD via the GeerFab was at least as good as direct CD playback and probably better.

With this box in your system, you'll probably also be using it to play audio from your CDs, DVDs, DVD-As and Blu-rays, too. I unearthed a few 24/96 and 24/192 stereo DVD-As, as well as a couple of CDs, and through the D.BOB, all of those PCM sources sounded fine.

Why didn't someone do this before? GeerFab's Eric Geer says it hasn't happened before because it's complicated. He had to solve three problems at once: extracting hi-rez audio, keeping HDCP copy protection intact, and outputting DoP over Coax and TosLink. It took him three years to solve it. Some readers will have no use for the D.BOB. Some may find it expensive, a shade under $1000. A few may be intimidated by lingering concerns over the legality of such a device. Many, though, will pounce, knowing that the D.BOB can assure continued access, into the indefinite future, to the SACDs in their collection via the DAC of their choice. You know which group you're in." - Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, May 2020

"The D.BOB is the first product that can extract DSD from SACD discs, as well as high-res PCM, for conversion with an outboard DAC. If you have a large collection of high-resolution discs, you want to have a future-proof way to continue to enjoy those discs into the forseeable future. The D.BOB frees you from being tethered to one manufacturer's, perhaps discontinued, disc player. You can use any manufacturer's universal player with the D.BOB, so if that laser mechanism on your disc-spinner finally performs its last scan, you can replace the player with a modestly-priced alternative and get happily back to listening... While I don't expect the price of Oppo BDP-205 to plummet soon, I do think that many prospective Oppo-chasers would be better served by a D.BOB coupled to one of the latest univeral players from Sony, Marantz, Panasonic, or Pioneer. So, when that little ol' Oppo dies, or you just want some insurance, the D.BOB could be an elegant addition to your digital playback system." - Steven Stone, The Absolute Sound, October 2020

Recording is still impossible, dhCP copy protection is preserved, which also legalizes all the effort. But with DSD (or 24/192-PCM from Audio/Video-DVD/BR) you can now achieve a different, dramatically higher than the previously limited to CD level (16/44.1) or limited to the converter quality of player or A/V receiver. And believe us, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" from a specially procured Japanese SACD is the absolute hammer over a high-end DAC in full resolution! - Tom Frantzen, STEREO, Issue 3/2021

The GeerFab D.BOB is a great means of bringing high-resolution optical data carriers to the system with little effort. Every disc transport can be used here to get the best sound out of Blu-Rays with high-quality DACs.

Philipp Schneckenburger, hifitest.de, September 2020

If you have a large collection of high-resolution discs, you want to have a future-proof way to continue to enjoy those discs into the foreseeable future. The D.BOB frees you from being tethered to one manufacturer's, perhaps discontinued, disc player. You can use any manufacturer's universal player with the D.BOB, so if that laser mechanism on your disc-spinner finally performs its last scan, you can replace the player with a modestly-priced alternative and get happily back to listening.
The D.BOB fills a void that desperately needed filling. - Steven Stone, the abso!ute sound, 26 October 2020

Why didn't anyone do this before? GeerFab's Eric Geer says it hasn't happened before because it's complicated. He had to solve three problems at once: extracting hi-rez audio, keeping HDCP copy intact protection, and outputting DoP over Coax and TosLink. It took him three years to solve it.
Some readers will have no use for the D.BOB. Some may find it expensive, at a shade under '1000. A few may be intimidated by lingering concerns over the legality of such a device.
Many, though, will pounce, knowing that the D.BOB can assure continued access, into the indefinite future, to the SACDs in their collection via the DAC of their choice. You know which group you're in. - Kalman Rubinson, stereophile, 27 April 2020