ЦАПы — Merason DAC 2

The DAC 2 is a standalone converter made by Merason, and its development, electronics, assembly and final inspection are all carried out in Switzerland. It follows a purist layout with no volume control and no headphone amplifier, so it works as a fixed-level source for a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. The price is EUR 13,500 or USD 14,500, and the case is offered in black, silver and a Cidre finish.

Key specs that matter

Two Burr-Brown PCM1794A converter chips run in true dual-mono mode, one per channel. PCM is accepted at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz with 16 to 24 bit words, and DSD is not supported. Merason quotes a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 0.3 dB, noise more than 120 dB below the signal and THD plus noise below 0.006 percent. Maximum output is 3.5 V RMS on the balanced XLR sockets and 1.75 V RMS on the unbalanced RCA pair. The case is 45 cm wide, 10 cm high and 29 cm deep, and the unit weighs 5.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

On the rear panel four digital inputs are provided - USB, coaxial RCA, optical Toslink and AES/EBU - and every one of them is galvanically isolated from the analogue circuitry. After conversion the signal passes through a discrete Class A output stage in balanced form that runs without feedback and uses selected parts, with a special spring-plate thermal coupling for the output transistors. Two oversized transformers feed twelve independent regulated supplies that isolate the critical sections and the left and right channels from each other, and a redesigned multilayer circuit board with high-precision SMD placement improves thermal management. The unit runs from 230 V or 115 V mains at 50 to 60 Hz and draws 30 W. Merason specifies an operating temperature of 10 to 30 degrees Celsius and notes that the case warms by about 20 K during use, so ventilation space above the case is advisable. Feet with absorber materials are fitted to protect the circuit from vibration.

Pairing

With no adjustable output, the next component in the chain has to provide volume control. The balanced output is the natural route into amplifiers with XLR sockets, and the RCA pair covers unbalanced designs. A computer or streaming transport can be linked over USB-B, while a CD transport or a television connects through one of the three S/PDIF-type sockets.

Alternatives

The Merason DAC1 Mk II is the Swiss maker's other standalone converter in the current range, sitting below the DAC 2, which Merason credits with 5 dB more dynamic range than that model.