Silent Angel H1 DAC and Server

Building a digital HiFi system can become confusing when a streamer, DAC and music server are all separate products. The Silent Angel H1 Pure Music Hub brings those jobs together in one compact component, giving a starter system a single home for streaming services and locally stored music.

At $849, the H1 sits towards the upper end of Starting Out equipment. It is still relevant for a newcomer who wants one capable digital source rather than buying several cheaper boxes and replacing them one by one.

Quick Reference

• What it is: A network streamer, DAC and local music server in one component.
• Price: $849 in the United States; UK and European pricing has not yet been confirmed.
• Display: 5.5-inch non-touch colour screen.
• Storage: An internal NVMe slot supports drives up to 8TB.
• Best for: A compact digital HiFi system using an amplifier or active speakers.

Three Jobs In One Box

A streamer receives music from online services, a home network or another digital source. A DAC converts that digital information into an analogue signal, while a music server stores and organises a local library. Combining all three functions means fewer connections and less equipment to understand when setting up a first serious digital system.

The front display shows album artwork and playback information. It is not a touchscreen, so control comes through the VitOS Orbiter app on a phone or tablet.

Built Around Digital Music

The H1 uses two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips and an XMOS XU316 USB interface. The DAC section supports common music formats including FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC and MP3, with high-resolution playback up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD256 over supported playback routes.

PCM is the standard method used to store most digital music. DSD is an alternative high-resolution format found mainly in specialist downloads. The large numbers describe the maximum formats the H1 can process, but ordinary CD-quality and streaming files will work too.

Storage And Playback

An internal M.2 NVMe slot can hold a solid-state drive of up to 8TB. NVMe is a fast type of internal storage normally found in computers. Adding a drive allows the H1 to keep a large music collection inside the unit rather than relying on a laptop or external drive.

It can also play music from USB storage, a NAS and shared folders on a home network. NAS means network-attached storage: a drive or small server that makes files available to devices around the home.

How It Fits Into A Starter System

The simplest route is to connect the H1’s analogue output to an integrated amplifier and passive speakers. It can also connect directly to active speakers that have a suitable analogue input. In both cases, the H1 handles the digital source and conversion work.

Someone who already owns a separate DAC can use the H1 mainly as a streamer and music server. That flexibility makes it easier to change or upgrade one part of the system later without replacing the whole digital front end.

Price And Availability

The Silent Angel H1 is listed at $849 in the United States in black and silver finishes. UK and European prices had not been confirmed at the time of writing, so local buyers should check with an authorised dealer before ordering.

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