“What makes the DAC1 so special is therefore difficult to describe in words. In any case, the DAC1 makes digital music less digital. A personal favorite is “Folklore” by Taylor Swift. We know this album through and through but the DAC1 still lets us, cliché alarm, hear new things. Or rather experience new things.”
“Now it was possible to hear with files that although the frérot is really cool and does everything nice and right, still has its limitations. It appears that we can improve it by connecting the external pow1 power supply to the DAC. Details, tonal balance were better with it.”
“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.”
“This unprepossessing Swiss converter is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s attire, it looks pretty simple but the electronics contained within its artfully constructed chassis produce results that are rare at almost any price.”
“The POW1 did not affect the fundamental qualities of the Frérot in terms of pace and precision but
quite clearly opened up the soundstage further and brought more “air” into the overall presentation.”
“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.”
“Merason’s DAC1 backs up its smoothness with power and unforced detail to consistently appealing musical effect.”
