Merason Reuss

"This is the DAC to buy in the $5000 class" - Hans Beekhuyzen

The Merason Reuss DAC sits below the DAC 1 MK2 in their product lineup. It shares many similarities to their DAC 1 MK2, including Dual Burr Brown 1794A modules, discreet, Class A output buffers and fully balanced architecture. The sound of the Merason Reuss, like the DAC 1 MK2 is the bridge between the detailed Sigma-Delta DACs, and the musical resistor ladder DAC designs. You get the best of both with Merason.

Digital-to-analog conversion

The task of digital-to-analog conversion is performed by two 1794A converter modules from Burr Brown. For a 5 dB improvement in dynamic range, each channel has its own device. The analog current signal is elaborately converted into a voltage signal in a discrete setup, which is buffered in Class A technology and routed to the output. The Reuss is fully balanced, i.e. a total of four independent channels are implemented from the two converter modules to the output.

Input signal processing

The Reuss has one USB, one RCA, one Toslink and one AES input. The USB input is based on Amanero technology and ensures a low-jitter music signal thanks to two precise oscillators, which is then galvanically isolated by capacitive isolator components. The signals arriving at the other inputs are also galvanically isolated and de-jittered by means of transformers and capacitors. This guarantees that no external interference can affect the sensitive signal.

Power supply

Each functional unit has its own power supply, and in total there are twelve of them. Two output channels each are supplied by a separate linear supply with an oversized transformer.

Structure

The sound influence of components and circuit variants as well as various layouts were thoroughly tested in countless sessions by experienced listeners. This applies in particular to capacitors, voltage regulators, converter components, transistors, resistors, signal processing, I/V converters and output stages.

Made in Switzerland

The manufacture of the housing, the front panel and the control knobs and the printing, component placement, assembly, commissioning and inspection are carried out exclusively in Switzerland.

Reviews

• Hans Beekhuyzen Channel (YouTube)

SPECIFICATIONS

Output: max: 3 V RMS (balanced), max. 1.5 V RMS (unbalanced)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
THD+N: < 0.015 %
SNR: > 115 dB
DAC: 2x BurrBrown 1794A, discrete I/V stage
Power Supply: 230 V or 115V (one of them) AC / 50 to 60 Hz, 30 W.

OPERATION

Ambient temperature 10°C to 30°C, 50°F to 86°F
Humidity max. 80 %, non-condensing
During operation, the device heats up by approx. 20 K compared to the ambient temperature.

INPUT FORMAT

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
192 kHz@24 bit.

DIMENSIONS

Width: 45 cm, 17.7 In
Height: 5 cm, 2 In
Depth: 29 cm, 11.4 In
Weight: 4.2kg, 9.3 lbs