The ES9018K2M is the ESS SABRE32 Reference DAC: a 32-bit stereo audio DAC rated at +127 dB dynamic range and -120 dB THD+N in its datasheet. ESS lists the part as Legacy and names ES9039Q2M and ES9020 as newer versions, but the chip still ships: the blafili B3 receiver pairs it with the QCC5125 Bluetooth chip, and the JDS Labs Atom DAC+ is built around its differential output. The tables below carry the datasheet rows, the status line and the device record, each with a source and date.
Figures on this page were checked October 2026. Every table row carries its source and access date.
What the ES9018K2M is
The ES9018K2M SABRE32 Reference DAC is, in the datasheet's own words, a high-performance 32-bit, 2-channel audio D/A converter aimed at power-sensitive portable devices, consumer gear such as Blu-ray players, pre-amplifiers and A/V receivers, and professional recording systems. The architecture is the patented 32-bit HyperStream design from ESS, paired with a time domain jitter eliminator, and the chip clocks in synchronous mode or through its built-in asynchronous sample rate converter (ASRC). Processing runs on a 64-bit accumulator with 32-bit processing, and the output stage is configurable between mono and stereo, current or voltage mode.
Key specifications
All rows below come from the feature description and body of the ESS datasheet v3.7.
| Field | Value | Source / as of |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic range (DNR) | +127 dB | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| THD+N | -120 dB | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| PCM input | 32-bit, up to 384 kHz via I2S | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| DSD input | DSD-11.2MHz data; DSD listed among supported inputs | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Digital inputs | SPDIF, PCM (I2S, LJ 16-32-bit) or DSD | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Clocking | Synchronous and ASRC (asynchronous sample rate converter) modes | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Package | 28-QFN, 5mm x 5mm | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Power | 52mW typical operating; under 1mW standby | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Control | I2C | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| De-emphasis | 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Output configuration | Mono or stereo, current or voltage mode | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
Status at ESS
The current SABRE Audiophile DACs table on the ESS site places the part in the Legacy tier and points to newer silicon in the same family.
| Field | Value | Source / as of |
|---|---|---|
| Part status | Legacy | ESS SABRE page table, 2026-10-13 |
| New product version, as printed in the table | ES9039Q2M / ES9020 | ESS SABRE page table, 2026-10-13 |
| Newer-version notice, as printed in the datasheet | "Newer product version available in ES9039Q2M or ES9020Q" | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7, 2026-10-13 |
| Modulator | Hyperstream | ESS SABRE page table, 2026-10-13 |
| DAC output resistance | 806 ohm | ESS SABRE page table, 2026-10-13 |
| Hardware mode / TDM mode | NO / NO | ESS SABRE page table, 2026-10-13 |
The two ESS sources name the successors with slightly different labels: the table row reads "ES9039Q2M / ES9020" while the datasheet banner reads "ES9039Q2M or ES9020Q". Both agree on ES9039Q2M; this page quotes each source verbatim rather than merging them.
Where you find it
| Device | As stated by the maker | Source / as of |
|---|---|---|
| blafili B3 receiver | Spec table row "DAC ESS ES9018K2M" next to "Bluetooth Chipset Qualcomm QCC5125", with THD+N -120dB and DNR +127dB quoted on the same page; outputs over balanced XLR, RCA, optical and coaxial | blafili.com product page, 2026-10-13 |
| JDS Labs Atom DAC+ | "Differential output of an ES9018K2M DAC" feeding a DC-coupled, precision-tuned I/V converter with six NJM op-amps | jdslabs.com product page, 2026-10-13 |
The third-party measurement record
The Atom DAC+ was reviewed at Audio Science Review in May 2021 by amirm, in the Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion section. The opening post introduces it as "a review and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Atom DAC+ desktop USB DAC", notes: "The product was just announced at a retail cost of US $109." It also records the part swap behind the product: "they moved away from AKM AK4490 to ESS ES9018K2M chip due to much better availability". The thread carries the full measurement set for that product; this page links the review rather than quoting its figures, so the scores stay with their author. On identity, the two sources agree: the review names the ES9018K2M explicitly, and so does the JDS Labs page cited above.
Reading the numbers
Dynamic range and THD+N answer different questions: the first measures how small a signal survives above the noise floor, the second measures what the output adds to the signal. Both rows here are chip ratings from one datasheet. Whole devices measure differently, in both directions, which is exactly why the measurement record section points at a complete product rather than restating silicon numbers as receiver performance.
FAQ
No source on this page uses that word. The current ESS product table lists the part status as Legacy and names ES9039Q2M and ES9020 as newer product versions, and the datasheet carries a banner pointing to ES9039Q2M or ES9020Q. The chip also still appears in shipping products, including the blafili B3 receiver and the JDS Labs Atom DAC+. Distributor stock is a separate question this page does not answer.
Both are chip-level datasheet ratings: 127 dB is the dynamic range (DNR) figure and -120 dB is the THD+N figure. Datasheet numbers describe the silicon under datasheet conditions. A finished receiver or DAC adds its own circuit, clock and power design, which is why whole-device reviews measure the product rather than the chip.
Yes. The datasheet lists DSD among the supported digital inputs, alongside SPDIF and PCM (I2S, LJ 16-32-bit), and its processing description covers DSD-11.2MHz data. PCM handling reaches 32-bit at 384kHz via I2S.
The blafili B3 receiver pairs the chip with the QCC5125 Bluetooth chip and outputs over XLR, RCA, optical and coaxial connections. The JDS Labs Atom DAC+ desktop DAC is built on a differential output stage around the same part. Both statements come from the product pages linked in the sources list.
blafili B3 Bluetooth Receiver
XLR, RCA, optical and coax outputs with an OLED front panel, built on the QCC5125 + ES9018K2M platform. A wired amp or receiver, put on a wireless source.
- ESS Technology, SABRE Audiophile DACs product table: row "ES9018K2M | Legacy | ES9039Q2M / ES9020 | Datasheet | 127dB | 127dB | -120dB | 28-QFN | Hyperstream | 806 ohm | NO | NO"; column heads include Product Name, Part Status, New Product Version, DNR per Channel, DNR in Stereo Mode, THD+N, Package, Modulator, DAC Output Resistance, Hardware Mode, TDM Mode. esstech.com/products-overview/digital-to-analog-converters/sabre-audiophile-dacs/, accessed 2026-10-13
- ESS Technology, ES9018K2M SABRE32 Reference DAC datasheet v3.7 (41 pages): first-page banner "Newer product version available in ES9039Q2M or ES9020Q"; feature description "+127dB DNR", "-120dB THD+N", "Supports both synchronous and ASRC (asynchronous sample rate converter) modes", "Supports SPDIF, PCM (I2S, LJ 16-32-bit) or DSD input", "28-QFN (5mm x 5mm) package", "52mW typical operating power", "< 1mW standby power", de-emphasis "32kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz"; body text "can handle up to 32-bit, 384kHz PCM data via I2S, DSD-11.2MHz data as well as mono mode". esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ES9018K2M-Datasheet-v3.7.pdf, accessed 2026-10-13
- Mirror channel for the same datasheet: Mouser-hosted copy ES9018K2M_Datasheet_v3_7 at mouser.com/datasheet/2/1082/ES9018K2M_Datasheet_v3_7-3074373.pdf, downloaded 2026-10-13
- blafili B3 product page spec table: "DAC ESS ES9018K2M", "THD+N -120dB", "DNR +127dB", "Bluetooth Chipset Qualcomm QCC5125", "Bluetooth Version & Profiles 5.1, A2DP, AVRCP", "Codecs LDAC, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX, AAC, SBC"; page FAQ schema: "the B3 decodes LDAC/aptX HD through an ESS ES9018K2M DAC (32-bit/384 kHz)". blafili.com/product/blafili-b3-bluetooth-audio-receiver/, accessed 2026-10-13
- JDS Labs, Atom DAC+ product page: "Differential output of an ES9018K2M DAC is paired with our unique, DC coupled, precision tuned I/V converter with three stages per channel, or six NJM opamps in total." jdslabs.com/product/atom-dac-plus/, accessed 2026-10-13
- Audio Science Review forum, thread "JDS Labs Atom DAC+ Review" by amirm, May 25 2021, in Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion: opening post "This is a review and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Atom DAC+ desktop USB DAC."; "The product was just announced at a retail cost of US $109."; "they moved away from AKM AK4490 to ESS ES9018K2M chip due to much better availability". audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jds-labs-atom-dac-review.23701/, accessed 2026-10-13