Merason DAC 2 is the Swiss brand’s successor to the well-regarded DAC 1 Mk II, a purist digital-to-analog converter built around a true dual-mono architecture and aimed at listeners who want musical flow and emotional depth rather than just impressive numbers on a spec sheet.
Merason DAC 2 Doubles Down on Dual-Mono Conversion
At the core of the Merason DAC 2 are two BurrBrown PCM1794A converter chips, one dedicated to each channel in a genuine dual-mono configuration. Merason says this layout delivers a wider, more stable soundstage and roughly 5 dB improved dynamics compared with a shared-chip design. After conversion, the sensitive analog signal passes through a discrete, fully balanced Class A output stage without feedback, built entirely from premium components with no integrated circuits in the signal path.
Twelve Power Supplies and a Redesigned Platform
Merason pairs that signal path with twelve independent power supplies distributed across the DAC 2’s critical sections, from the left and right channels to the digital inputs, using oversized transformers to keep the background quiet. The platform itself has been completely redesigned around a new multilayer PCB, with more high-precision SMD components, an improved supply for the converter chips, new thermal management for the output transistors, and vibration-isolating feet.
A Purist Approach to Connectivity
True to Merason’s purist philosophy, the DAC 2 sticks to its core job: first-class digital-to-analog conversion. USB, coaxial RCA, Toslink and AES/EBU digital inputs are all galvanically isolated, while balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs connect straight into a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. There is deliberately no volume control or headphone amplifier on board, keeping the signal path as short and uncompromised as possible. As with the rest of the range, development, electronics, assembly and final inspection all happen in Switzerland.
Pricing and availability
The Merason DAC 2 is priced at approximately €13,500 in Europe and $14,500 in the United States, and is available now through Merason’s dealer network, including Merason’s official product page.
Key specifications
- DAC: two BurrBrown PCM1794A chips, true dual-mono, discrete I/V stage
- Output: max. 3.5V RMS balanced, max. 1.75V RMS unbalanced
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.3dB
- THD+N: less than 0.006%
- SNR: greater than 120dB
- Digital inputs: USB, coaxial RCA, Toslink, AES/EBU (all galvanically isolated)
- Analog outputs: balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
- Power supplies: 12 independent supplies
- Input formats: up to 192kHz/24-bit (176.4kHz/24-bit via USB)
- Dimensions: 45 x 10 x 29cm, 5.5kg
- Price: approx. €13,500 / $14,500
For readers comparing dual-mono DAC designs at this level, our coverage of the Esoteric N-05XE network DAC preamplifier is a useful point of comparison.
