“Small, simple and relatively inexpensive for the performance it offers, this DAC is perfect for audiophiles who don’t require a lot of bells and whistles but do want superb sound quality. We found the Swiss-built Merason frérot to be perfect for streaming Qobuz, and for mating with an equally high-value streamer. Optional pow1 PSU improves sound quality across the board.
A Reviewer’s Choice winner.”
“The first thing I noticed was the deep lows with fair texture very good for this price point. The voice image is also above average and has a fair focus resolution. The mid range again is above average while the highs are on par with comparable products. All in all a dac that finds its place in the higher regions of my setup.”
“The differentiation is an important advantage of this converter and it will be difficult for the money to find equally well-shown differences in terms of recording, production and release quality. Frérot is simply a great, visually modest product made in Switzerland.”
“Small, simple and relatively inexpensive for the performance it offers, this DAC is perfect for
audiophiles who don’t require a lot of bells and whistles but do want superb sound quality.
A Reviewer’s Choice winner.”
“This indeed is a type of DAC that is easy to fall in love with because it simply makes the music sound beautiful, it sounds real and authentic, I don’t hear a trace of sharp or painful edges in the recording and even more the recording sounds like a performance.”
“The tested Swiss device is a surprisingly nice design. The sound is dense, nice, pleasantly soft, but also wonderfully differentiated. Differentiation is an important feature of this converter and it will be difficult to find another device from the same price range to show changes in the recording, production and issues of albums equally well.”
“Musically, this DAC ticks along like a Swiss clock and never falters. No matter what programme material you play, it comes back with a grippy, propulsive, energetic, and bubbly sound that’s never less than fun. Its big-hearted musicality is totally out of proportion to its diminutive dimensions.”
“As there was really nothing about this product that I didn’t like, it gets five hearts from me. If you are in the market for a stand-alone DAC at this price point, the Merason Frérot definitely should be on your audition shortlist.”
“The Merason frérot, at $1350 USD, was easily the best DAC experience I’ve had at home. Solid digital sound, plenty of color and texture to the music, some extraordinary imaging and soundstaging fireworks as I mentioned, and an ease of use that simply hasn’t been matched.”
