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Merason

Merason DAC-1 DAC

Merason DAC-1 DAC

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Regular price £5,199.00
Regular price Sale price £5,199.00
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Merason’s vision when designing the DAC-1 was not to build a unit to enable the adoption of multiple, new formats using new to market technologies. Rather, the goal is to take proven concepts and components, that are assembled with care and attention. Merason believe this is the best possible way to build a DAC; one that allows the music to shine brighter than overinflated spec sheets.

At the heart of the DAC-1 are two Burr-Brown PCM1794-A converter chips. Configured as a dual mono devices, the DAC-1 uses one chip for each channel. The PCM1794-A has a current output, and the current signal must be converted to a voltage signal. Not content in using operational amplifiers (OP Amps), Merason opt for a complex, discrete structure. The voltage signal obtained in this way is buffered in the output stage using Class A technology. The DAC-1 utilises a fully symmetrical output signal path. The analog signal processing is consistently symmetrical from the D/A converter module to the output stage. Lowpass filters with high-quality, silver mica capacitors are located between the converter module and the output. Output DC-protection is done via foil capacitors. Great attention has also been paid to the layout of the motherboard so that an extraordinarily high signal-to-noise ratio could be achieved.

Power is key to any component and the DAC-1 uses separate, multiple power supply rails. The digital circuit is serviced by an independent transformer to that employed for the analog circuit. In using two transformers there is an insurance that the delicate signals in the respective sections are preserved, and never interfere with the other. The USB input is capably handled with a high quality board from Amanero: the Combo 384, a board known for its musicality. Of course, the whole is greater than the sum of parts, so when each element is taken and applied to the whole unit, the result is, well, stunning.

Specs
  • Sampling rates PCM: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192
  • Bit depth 24 bit PCM
  • Digital inputs 1 x USB2, 1 x S/PDIF (RCA) 1 x Toslink (optical) 1 x AES/EBU (XLR)
  • Analog outputs 1 x pair unbalanced (RCA) 1 x pair balanced (XLR)
  • Dimensions (w / d / h) 45 x 10 x 29 cm
  • Weight 8 k
Reviews

“The MERASON Frérot DAC gives music lovers a choice at a price point that may be very affordable for most audiophiles. It is definitely a contender worthy of your consideration if you are looking for a budget-priced option!”

REVIEW BY THE AUDIO BEATNIK

“Mission completed. We were thrilled by the MERASON DAC-1. The DAC-1 presented every detail, delivered contoured basses that structured the music in a rhythmically clean manner, and at the same time always demonstrated in the vocal range the grace and presence that make the music so lively and touching.”

REVIEW BY FALK VISARIUS

“Mission completed. We were thrilled by the MERASON DAC-1. The DAC-1 presented every detail, delivered contoured basses that structured the music in a rhythmically clean manner, and at the same time always demonstrated in the vocal range the grace and presence that make the music so lively and touching.”

REVIEW BY FALK VISARIUS

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