Seungmok Yi from Calyx

I first met Seungmok at the 2011 CES Trade Show in Las Vegas. At that stage I was still not sure if we would take on the Calyx products. The short time I spent with Seungmok and his almost obsessive nature with regard to his product development convinced me we HAD to have Calyx.

It is rare to find someone so obsessed with getting each and every detail right, of course I then listened to the Calyx CTI amplifier being fed by the Calyx DAC and I could not wait to stock them! In this interview I ask Seungmok Yi the owner and product designer for Calyx, how he got started in the business and where he intends to take Calyx in the future. 

Can you tell us your background, and how you got into Audio manufacturing?

I have been involved audio (including industry) since 1983 when I got my first system. They are Garrard turntable and Kenwood receiver, which were given by my friend as a gift. Yes, a present from a friend of mine. When he gave me he told me that he thanks me for introducing him a world of classic music. This is how I got into audio.

In 1999 I decide to establish a company which makes class D ICs and full-digital IC. In other worlds, PCM-PWM modulator ICs and Analog-to-PWM modulator ICs. I gathered all the best engineers in Korea. We made some ICs and have been providing some OEM audio manufacturers including Samsung Electronics and Daewoo Audio Technologies.

At the time we focused on mass products. But I have always been a serious concert-goer and looking for a good re-play system. Of course I am an audiophile. One of goals in my life is providing an affordable audio system to the ordinary people who like music. I decided to make a low consumption audio system using class-D technic but with a great sound. I launched the brand Calyx.

How long has Calyx the company been going?

As I told you the company Digital & Analog Co., Ltd was established 1999. So almost 12 years.

Prior to getting into the high-end DAC/AMP market, you developed product for other companies, can you expand on that?

Cost of designing and manufacturing of ICs has been raised a lot. Even though we sell our own ICs but it takes a lot of money and time to develop new ICs but we are still seeking for a chance to develop new ICs.

The Calyx DAC has been a big success, has that surprised you given the brand is new to audiophiles?

Thanks for your comments. I am not that surprised since the brand is new but I myself is not that new to this audio industry. And I am well known to at least Korean audiophile and this industry.

Why a SABRE DAC chip over other options such as Burr Brown, Wolfson and the like?

We tested a lot of DACs before we decided which DAC chips we went with. Our conclusion was simply SABRE. For now we will stick to SABRE DAC chips.

Can you explain how you are using 4 converters per channel in the DAC?

I guess there is a misunderstanding on this issue in internet. The DAC, SABRE 9018, has 4 different DACs inside. We use 4 DAC inside per channel. For a next product, Calyx Super DAC, we will use one SABRE for each channel. This will greatly improve the performance.

Sonically you have 'voiced' the DAC with a smooth, almost laid back top end which is the opposite of most peoples opinion of what a Sabre based DAC is capable of, how did you achieve that?

Some people do not differentiate between noise and resolution in highs. They describe noise in highs as crystal in resolution. But this is due to their lack of understanding on "absolute sound". There is no sharp image nor pinpoint in real music. Of course not with noise.

We don't voice our products but do best to remove any noise as much as we can or lower noise level as low as we do. Let me explain this with an analogy. I have been an amateur deep-sky observer since 1978. What is the best way to get a best image of the Moon, planets, galaxies, star-clusters and etc.? Of course you buy a big telescope. But that can cost you of a limited budget.

Another way is finding a place without light-pollution. Darker background, better image. Now you can see what I tried to tell you. Lower noise, better performance in audio. We carefully design pattern on the PCB, try a lot different parts and select the best one for the products to lower the noise and get the best performance as we can. But of course this way should not make us to raise the cost.

I have noticed the new Coffee DAC, has a similar sonic signature to it's big brother. A deliberate choice?

You bet.

The CTI Integrated Amplifier uses IcePower modules like a number of high-end amplifiers, how have you implemented their use differently to others?

We added a power pack and an input stage carefully designed.

The CTI has a beautifully defined soundstage and extraordinary detail, is this down to the pre-amp design primarily?

As I told you "the power pack" and "the input stage".

Build quality of your products is exceptional, and the solid billet aluminium construction is part of that. Why do you insist on this method of production?

Thanks again. Because, they look good. :)

What is next for Calyx?

An affordable 24/192 DAC. Calyx Super DAC. An DAC with USB and i-Products.

Where do you see the future of audio going?

Audio must be used with computers and i-Products.