Merason DAC-1

DETAILS
Original owner of this stunning Merason DAC1 in black purchased from an authorized dealer
Pure audio holography from one of the the best in the business
Very conservatively rating 7/10 for superficial cosmetic wear on its gorgeous steel upper chassis
Sonically and visually, this is a stunning NOS DAC... immersive, involving, sophisticated, chest-thumping, majestic
Offered by a dependable seller with a perfect 100% feedback rating 
Free shipping in CONUS
Zelle or PayPal F&F preferred

PHENOMENAL REVIEWS
"There are lots of excellent sounding DACs in this price territory. With an MSRP of $5,000, it’s my opinion the Merason DAC-1 is a serious contender for best DAC at any price. Sonically, it competes toe to toe with the high priced big boys. 5K is not exactly loose change but I’d still be impressed even if the DAC-1 was substantially more expensive. [...] I’ll wait on the Porsche and enjoy my digital music a lot more now – with the extra cash still stashed in my mattress. Highly recommended." – Part Time Audiophile

"Why are there more and more separate dacs on the market? Because there is a demand for it. Even for dacs that cost 5000 euros and more. Whether the relative improvements are worth the investment is something everyone must decide for themselves. In any case, with the DAC1 Merason Audio is trying to distinguish itself from the pack by bringing something unique. Something that entices, enchants, intrigues and moves the buyer. Something that, as a buyer, you want to cherish. Its quirky looks, its distinct construction and its irresistible sound make for a total experience.

The Merason Audio DAC1 is a device for the connoisseur who dares to deviate from the beaten path. But it is also simply a rock-solid d/a converter that everyone must have heard once. It is a dac that not only lets you hear everything but also draws you into the music. That can convey the emotion of an artist. With the DAC1 you get a unique d/a converter that you may never part with again. We certainly didn’t like putting it back in the box." – Alpha Audio

"Merason's DAC1 backs up its smoothness with power and unforced detail to consistently appealing musical effect. True, the limited format handling may rule the DAC1 out for some – it takes a stand against digital expansionism! – but its singularity of purpose pays off in a sound as appealing as it is easy to enjoy." – HiFi News

"The DAC1 is a converter that can easily perform even in the most expensive audio systems, next to devices that cost several times more. And it will still shine with real and not reflected light among them." – High Fidelity

FROM MERASON
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 has been to take proven concepts and components, that are assembled with care and attention. Merason believes that 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 opted 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 utilizes 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
Output: max. 3 V RMS (symmetrical), max. 1.5 V RMS (asymmetrical).
Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.2 dB.
THD + N: <0.012%.
SNR: > 120 dB.
DAC: 2 x BurrBrown 1794A, discrete I / V stage.
Output: discrete structure.
Power Supply: 120V AC 60 Hz, 30 W.
Audio Formats
44.1 kHz @ 16 bit, 44.1 kHz @ 24 bit.
48 kHz @ 16 bit, 48 kHz @ 24 bit.
88.2 kHz @ 24 bit.
96 kHz @ 24 bit.
176.4 kHz @ 24 bit (USB).
192 kHz @ 24 bit.
Dimensions: Width: 45 cm / Height: 10 cm / Depth: 29 cm
Weight: 8 kg