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DACs — Mytek Manhattan DAC II
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Mytek Manhattan DAC II
Image source — © Mytek
The Manhattan DAC II is a D/A converter, preamplifier and headphone amplifier from Mytek, the company based in New York with offices in Brooklyn and Warsaw. Introduced in 2017 as Mytek's top converter before the Empire Streamer, it is now discontinued, with remaining new stock in silver priced at USD 3,995, down from USD 5,995. An optional network card at USD 995 and a phono card at USD 1,495 extend its functions.
Key specs that matter
Conversion uses the ESS Sabre 9038 chipset with 130 dB of dynamic range. The DAC plays PCM up to 32 bit and 384 kHz, DXD and native DSD up to DSD256, and includes a hardware MQA decoder. Digital inputs are USB 2 Class 2, AES/EBU up to 384 kHz and DSD128 over DoP, three S/PDIF inputs up to 192 kHz, Toslink and SDIF3 for DSD256. Analogue inputs are two RCA line inputs, one switchable to phono when the card is fitted, and one balanced XLR input. RCA and XLR outputs work simultaneously with 50 ohm output impedance. The headphone amplifier delivers 500 mA and 6 W with 0 ohm output impedance through two jacks, with balanced operation through an adapter. Mains voltage is 115 or 230 V, switchable. The unit measures 432 x 50 x 267 mm and weighs 8 kg.
Engineering and use context
Mytek's Femtoclock has 0.82 ps of internal jitter and is part of its C777 clocking architecture, and word clock input and output allow several units to be synchronised for multichannel use. Volume can be controlled by a 1 dB-step analogue attenuator, a 1 dB-step 32-bit digital attenuator or bypassed with relays, and analogue inputs pass through the analogue attenuator straight to the outputs without conversion. Separate linear toroidal power supplies isolate the analogue and digital sections. The optional phono card accepts MM and MC pickups and uses a custom nickel-core step-up transformer, with loading, transformer ratio, RIAA curves and gain set from the menu. The network card adds Roon Ready and DLNA streaming up to 192 kHz and DSD64. The USB connection can also record the digital inputs to a computer. The Manhattan II uses the chassis, power supply and front panel of the original Manhattan with a new main board, which allowed owners of the first model to upgrade.
Pairing
With volume control and low-impedance outputs, the Manhattan DAC II drives power amplifiers or active speakers directly, and the headphone amplifier powers demanding headphones. The phono card lets a turntable connect directly.
Alternatives
The Mytek Empire Streamer DAC is the successor model in Mytek's current range, with streaming built in.
Key specs that matter
Conversion uses the ESS Sabre 9038 chipset with 130 dB of dynamic range. The DAC plays PCM up to 32 bit and 384 kHz, DXD and native DSD up to DSD256, and includes a hardware MQA decoder. Digital inputs are USB 2 Class 2, AES/EBU up to 384 kHz and DSD128 over DoP, three S/PDIF inputs up to 192 kHz, Toslink and SDIF3 for DSD256. Analogue inputs are two RCA line inputs, one switchable to phono when the card is fitted, and one balanced XLR input. RCA and XLR outputs work simultaneously with 50 ohm output impedance. The headphone amplifier delivers 500 mA and 6 W with 0 ohm output impedance through two jacks, with balanced operation through an adapter. Mains voltage is 115 or 230 V, switchable. The unit measures 432 x 50 x 267 mm and weighs 8 kg.
Engineering and use context
Mytek's Femtoclock has 0.82 ps of internal jitter and is part of its C777 clocking architecture, and word clock input and output allow several units to be synchronised for multichannel use. Volume can be controlled by a 1 dB-step analogue attenuator, a 1 dB-step 32-bit digital attenuator or bypassed with relays, and analogue inputs pass through the analogue attenuator straight to the outputs without conversion. Separate linear toroidal power supplies isolate the analogue and digital sections. The optional phono card accepts MM and MC pickups and uses a custom nickel-core step-up transformer, with loading, transformer ratio, RIAA curves and gain set from the menu. The network card adds Roon Ready and DLNA streaming up to 192 kHz and DSD64. The USB connection can also record the digital inputs to a computer. The Manhattan II uses the chassis, power supply and front panel of the original Manhattan with a new main board, which allowed owners of the first model to upgrade.
Pairing
With volume control and low-impedance outputs, the Manhattan DAC II drives power amplifiers or active speakers directly, and the headphone amplifier powers demanding headphones. The phono card lets a turntable connect directly.
Alternatives
The Mytek Empire Streamer DAC is the successor model in Mytek's current range, with streaming built in.
Specifications
Model name
Manhattan DAC II
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
N/A
DSD compatability
N/A
Parameters
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
Official link
