ЦАПы — Weiss Engineering DAC204 MK2

The DAC204 MK2 is a compact stereo digital-to-analog converter from Weiss Engineering of Switzerland, priced at USD 3,990. Weiss positions it as the larger sibling of the DAC205 MK2, with the same conversion quality plus a USB input and DSD-to-PCM conversion. Unlike the higher DAC501 and Helios models it has no onboard digital processing, headphone output or remote control.

Key specs that matter

Conversion uses the ES9028PRO chip from ESS, which includes an advanced jitter-elimination circuit. PCM from 44.1 kHz up to 384 kHz at 24 bit is accepted, along with DSD64 and DSD128. Frequency response is 0 Hz to 80 kHz. Maximum output is 7.5 V on the balanced XLR connectors and 3.75 V on the unbalanced RCA connectors, and THD+N is quoted at 0.00016 percent. Its small size suits a desk or studio rack shelf. The case is 10.5 cm wide, 9.5 cm high and 16.5 cm deep, and the unit weighs about 2.27 kg.

Engineering and use context

Inputs comprise USB for computers, tablets and phones, plus two AES/EBU or S/PDIF inputs on Toslink or RCA. A front-mounted input selector switches between them, and all digital sources may remain plugged in permanently. Beside its analog role, the unit can work as a digital-to-digital converter, sending the incoming stream out as AES/EBU on XLR, as S/PDIF on RCA or through a BNC connector. When a DSD file arrives, a front-panel switch lets it be turned into PCM, which helps with recorders or processors that only accept PCM. The analog section has a near-zero-ohm output stage, and all sensitive voltages get their own linear regulators. Toggle switches on the rear panel set the analog output level. The MK2 revision also brought an optimised output stage over the original DAC204. Power comes from an external supply included in the box, so the mains transformer sits outside the metal case.

Pairing

Both analog output types carry signal simultaneously, which allows one DAC to supply two different destinations in parallel. Since there is no volume control, its outputs go to a line input on an amplifier stage that sets level, and the rear output switches help match its level to sensitive inputs. With its digital outputs the Weiss can work as a USB bridge for another converter, taking audio from a computer and passing it on as AES/EBU or S/PDIF to a separate DAC or a digital recorder.

Alternatives

The Weiss DAC205 MK2 is the smaller converter in the same series, sharing the conversion stage but without USB input and DSD-to-PCM conversion.