DAC1 MkII

SPECIFICATIONS

Description Merason DAC1 MkII
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: Twice BurrBrown 1794A, discrete I/V stage
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: 5.5 kg, 12 lbs
Finish Aluminium Nature, Aluminium Black or Aluminium Cider
Option Pure Silver RCA socket

IMAGE GALLERY

Introduction & TECHNOLOGY

Merason DAC1 MkII

Input signal processing: The DAC1 MkII 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 and capacitors. 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 MkII 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.

Awards

Available Finishes

Aluminium Nature

Aluminium Black

Aluminium Cider

Documentation

Testen & Reviews

Part-Time Audiophile Buyer’s Guide 2024

“We felt that while there are many excellent DACs out there for around the same [...]

Part-Time Audiophile | The Best Digital Players | Buyers Guide 2022

“We felt that while there are many excellent sub-$6K DACs out there, the Merason is [...]

Best Hi-Fi Components of 2021 (The Ear)

“This unprepossessing Swiss converter is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s attire, it looks [...]

Favourite Award 2021 (Fairaudio)

“Was mir der Merason DAC-1 hier präsentiert, ist atemberaubend. Der Merason versteht es, Dynamik und [...]

Review by The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel

“Great build quality, 96/192 PCM DAC no DSD, no remote. Nothing to impress your neighbour [...]

Review by Hi-Fi Voice

“10 out of 10 stars”

Merason Audio DAC1 – Swiss Craftsmanship (Alpha-Audio)

“What makes the DAC1 so special is therefore difficult to describe in words. In any [...]

Merason DAC1 USB DAC (Hi-fi News)

“Merason's DAC1 backs up its smoothness with power and unforced detail to consistently appealing musical [...]

Merason DAC1: built for speed (TheEar)

“A genuinely intense musical experience.”

Review: Dave McNair (Mastering Engineer with multiple Grammy Awards)

“There are lots of excellent sounding DACs in this price territory. With an MSRP of [...]

Test: D/A-Wandler Merason DAC-1 – der Klangpurist (LowBeats.de)

“Mit dem Merason DAC-1 zeigen Daniel Frauchiger und sein Team, das herausragend guter Klang auch [...]

Test: Merason DAC-1 (HIFIStatement)

“Der Spagat, musikalisch farbig und tendenziell angenehm zu klingen, andererseits aber detailreich, agil und dynamisch [...]

MERASON – DAC-1 High-End Digital-Analog Wandler (HIFI-IFAs)

“Der MERASON DAC-1 hat uns begeistert. Der DAC-1 präsentierte jedes Detail, lieferte konturierte Bässe, die [...]