Pure DSD audio players for car audio systems. High-resolution source upgrade to feed your existing DSP and amplifier stack.
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We brought Goldhorn to the US market. Direct factory relationship with the deepest product knowledge in the country.
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Every Goldhorn product carries full coverage. We handle warranty claims directly with the factory.
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Factory-trained on DSD playback, channel configuration, and complex crossover setup. Real technical guidance, not sales scripts.
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Featured Goldhorn products spanning entry through flagship tiers. Browse the full lineup by sub-collection below.
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Factory head units and most aftermarket head units have one fundamental limitation as audio sources: they downsample, transcode, or process the audio signal before output. CD playback is upconverted internally. Bluetooth streaming is compressed by the source device. USB playback is often limited to MP3, AAC, or low-bitrate FLAC. None of these represent the source audio as the recording engineers mastered it.
A dedicated DSD player solves the source-quality problem at the start of the signal chain. The player reads original file formats (DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, lossless FLAC, WAV, APE) from external USB storage with no conversion until the DAC stage inside the unit. For audiophiles with serious music libraries (SACD rips, DSD downloads, high-resolution FLAC), this is the cleanest source path available in car audio.
The buyer scenario: you already own a DSP (Goldhorn or otherwise) and amplifier stack you're happy with, but you want to eliminate the source-quality bottleneck created by your current head unit. A dedicated DSD player drops into the signal chain as the new source, feeding your existing DSP and amplification with audiophile-grade material.
Dual AK4493 DAC stage with femtosecond clocks. Six RCA outputs, optical, and coaxial digital. 3TB external USB drive support. DSD256 native playback. The mid-tier audiophile pick for serious car audio installs where you want reference-grade source quality without flagship pricing.
Flagship ES9028 Pro DAC implementation. Two RCA outputs, optical, and coaxial digital. 3TB external USB drive support. DSD256 native playback. Premium build quality. The flagship DSD player tier when you want the cleanest possible source signal feeding a reference-quality DSP and amplifier chain.
Both units output via multiple paths simultaneously: analog RCA (line level), optical TOSLINK (digital), and coaxial SPDIF (digital). The buyer chooses which output to feed downstream based on system architecture:
Analog RCA output: Feeds an analog DSP or directly to an amplifier with no DSP. The player's internal DAC stage handles the digital-to-analog conversion. This is the most common pairing for audiophile builds where the DSD player's DAC is the cleanest available source.
Optical or coaxial digital output: Feeds a DSP with digital input (most Goldhorn DSPA and standalone units accept optical). The signal stays digital until it reaches the DAC inside the DSP. Some audiophiles prefer this approach because the digital-to-analog conversion happens after DSP processing rather than before, eliminating one analog stage from the signal path.
For Goldhorn pairings: any Goldhorn DSP, DSPA, or standalone processor accepts both analog and digital input from these players. For non-Goldhorn DSPs (Helix, Audison, Mosconi), check the DSP spec for input compatibility, since some are digital-only or analog-only.
No. These are pure source components. They handle file playback (DSD256, FLAC, WAV, APE) and output a clean analog or digital signal. You supply your own DSP and amplifier downstream. If you want integrated DSP and amplification in the same chassis as the player, see the Goldhorn DSP + DSD player collection (P1 DSPA, P2 DSPA Pro, P3 DSPA Plus, P2 DSP Pro V2) or the DSP amplifier with hi-res player collection.
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is the audio format used in SACD discs and high-resolution audio downloads. It uses 1-bit sampling at extremely high rates (DSD64, DSD128, DSD256) rather than the multi-bit PCM format of CDs and most digital files. The players in this collection play DSD natively without converting to PCM first, preserving the format's signature low-noise, analog-like character. For audiophiles with SACD rips or DSD downloads, native playback is the difference between hearing the format as intended and hearing a downsampled version.
It can. Two install patterns work. Full replacement: the factory head unit is removed and the DSD player becomes the primary source, with you navigating files via the unit's controls or a remote. This is the cleanest signal path but loses radio, phone integration, and most factory features. Parallel source: the factory head unit stays in place for radio and phone integration, and the DSD player runs in parallel as the dedicated music source. Most installs use the parallel approach because it preserves factory functionality while adding the audiophile source.
Both are pure DSD players for car audio installation. The P2 Pro ($1,299.99) uses dual AK4493 DACs with femtosecond clocks and six RCA outputs, making it a strong choice for multi-channel signal distribution. The P3 Plus ($2,499.99) uses a single flagship ES9028 Pro DAC for the cleanest possible 2-channel output, making it the choice for builds where front-stage source quality is the priority over multi-channel routing flexibility.
Any DSP with line-level (RCA) or digital (optical/coaxial) input will work. For maximum brand consistency, pair with a Goldhorn DSP (DSP10, DSP16 Ultra) or DSPA (DSPA 810 Pro and up). For brand-agnostic builds, any quality DSP from Helix, Audison, or similar audiophile brands accepts these players as a source. Amplification should match the speaker requirements of your build, typically Class AB or Class A reference amps for the front stage and Class D or dedicated monoblock for sub duty.
No. These are car audio source components designed for in-vehicle installation. They mount in a fixed location in the vehicle (dashboard, console, custom-fabricated panel) and run from the vehicle's 12V system. They are not battery-powered, are not designed for handheld use, and do not have the wireless connectivity options of portable DAPs (Digital Audio Players).
Yes. Audio Intensity is the Original US Importer of Goldhorn. Every product carries full manufacturer warranty handled directly through us.
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