Merason DAC1 Mk II

Input signal processing: The DAC1 has one USB, one RCA, one Toslink and one AES input. The USB input is based on Amanero technology and ensures a low-jitter music signal thanks to two precise oscillators, which is then galvanically isolated by capacitive isolator components. The signals arriving at the other inputs are also galvanically isolated and de-jittered by means of transformers. This guarantees that no external interference can affect the sensitive signal.

Digital-to-analog conversion: The task of digital-to-analog conversion is performed by two 1794A converter modules from Burr Brown. For a 5 dB improvement in dynamic range, each channel has its own device. The analog current signal is elaborately converted into a voltage signal in a discrete setup, which is buffered in Class A technology and routed to the output. The DAC1 is fully balanced, i.e. a total of four independent channels are implemented from the two converter modules to the output.

Power supply: Each functional unit has its own power supply, and in total there are twelve of them. Two output channels each are supplied by a separate linear supply with an oversized transformer.

Structure: The sound influence of components and circuit variants as well as various layouts were thoroughly tested in countless sessions by experienced listeners. This applies in particular to capacitors, voltage regulators, converter components, transistors, resistors, signal processing, I/V converters and output stages.

Made in Switzerland: The manufacture of the housing, the front panel and the control knobs and the printing, component placement, assembly, commissioning and inspection are carried out exclusively in Switzerland.



SPECIFICATIONS

Output: max. 3 V RMS (balanced), max. 1.5 V RMS (unbalanced)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.3 dB
THD+N: < 0.006 %.
SNR: > 120 dB
DAC: 2 x BurrBrown 1794A, discrete I/V stage
Output: discrete structure
Power Supply: 230 V or 115V (one of them) AC / 50 to 60 Hz, 30 W

OPERATION

Ambient temperature 10°C to 30°C, 50°F to 86°F
Humidity max. 80 %, non-condensing
During operation, the device heats up by approx. 20 K compared to the ambient temperature

INPUT FORMAT

44.1 kHz@16 bit
44.1 kHz@24 bit
48 kHz@16 bit
48 kHz@24 bit
88.2 kHz@24 bit
96 kHz@24 bit
176.4 kHz@24 bit (USB)
192 kHz@24 bit

DIMENSIONS

Width: 45 cm, 17.7 In, Height: 10 cm, 3.9 In, Depth: 29 cm, 11.4 In
Weight: 8kg, 17.6 lbs (11 kg, 24.3 lbs with stainless steel front)

«The feeling of being live in the concert hall.»

Awards

The Ear: Best of 2021 Award

08.12.2021

Parttimeaudiophile: Buyer’s Guide 2022, The Best Digital Players

27.11.2021

Fairaudio: Favourite Award 2021

14.05.2020

Test reviews

Review by The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel

13.07.2022

Review by Hi-Fi Voice

14.12.2021

Review by Alpha-Audio

05.11.2021

Review by HIFI-IFAs

03.08.2021

Review by Hi-Fi News – hi-fi news highly commended

10.06.2021

Review by the EAR – Editor’s Choice

20.01.2021

Review by Dave McNair

04.12.2020
None other than Dave McNair, mastering engineer with several Grammy awards, has tested the Merason DAC1 and says: “[…] it is my opinion the Merason DAC1 is a serious contender for best DAC at any price.”

Review by Part-Time Audiophile

04.10.2020

Review by Fairaudio

14.05.2020
Martin Mertens from Fairaudio is also impressed by the Merason DAC1. Read for yourself how he was immediately captivated by it.

Review by LowBeats

20.12.2019
Review by LowBeats Review by LowBeats Dec 20, 2019 In December 2019, the Merason DAC1 almost left Jürgen Schröder, reviewer with LowBeats, speechless. Since then, the Merason DAC1 has been the reference at LowBeats.

Review by HIFISTATMENT

28.05.2019
In May 2019, Wolfgang Kemper from HIFISTATEMENT extensively listened to the Merason DAC1 and reported on it.

Review by HIFI-IFAs

02.11.2018
The Merason DAC1 converter, at that time still under the name Purson, was tested in November 2018 by HiFi-IFAs member Falk Visarius on the HiFi-IFAs blog.
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