Merason DAC 1 Mk II D/A Converter, Silver

The Merason DAC 1 Mk II is a fully balanced reference D/A converter that turns digital sources into music with the utmost resolution and naturalness.

It's the polished step up from the Reuss and has been a favourite of the trade press for years. Handbuilt in Switzerland — with a choice of gold-plated or pure-silver RCA jacks.

Why the DAC 1 Mk II?

Technically, it shares the Reuss's DNA: two Burr-Brown 1794A chips (one per channel), a discrete I/V stage, fully balanced Class A output, every input galvanically isolated, twelve dedicated linear power supplies. The difference lies in the fine-tuning — a tighter frequency response (±0.3 dB), less distortion (< 0.01 %), and more signal-to-noise ratio (> 120 dB). You hear this as even more calm, resolution, and body. It's no accident that Part-Time Audiophile recommended it in its 2024 Buyer's Guide, and pt.audio awarded it a "Highly recommended" in early 2024.

What you hear

A soundstage that puts you right in the middle of the concert, and a resolution that reveals the finest shadings — without ever becoming hard or analytical. The DAC 1 Mk II stays honest rather than flattering; it's the converter that's no longer the bottleneck in a good system.

Who is the DAC 1 Mk II for?

For the genuinely good system that deserves the right converter. Straight talk: it too is a pure D/A converter — no volume control, no remote, no DSD (PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit). You need an amplifier or preamp with a line-level input. And honestly: visually and in construction, it resembles the more affordable Reuss — if you don't need that last bit, the Reuss already serves you superbly. If you want it, you get it here.

Standard or pure-silver RCA?

Standard means gold-plated RCA output jacks — the classic DAC 1 Mk II. For a surcharge (+CHF 363), the RCA jacks are available in pure silver, for a marginally lower contact resistance. Honestly, not a night-and-day difference, but the final polish for completists. We'll advise you on whether it's worth it.

Our verdict

For most systems, the DAC 1 Mk II is already reference level — beyond it lies only the DAC 2 or the Mountain, for those who want the absolute last word without compromise. Listen to it at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil on your own system.

Technical data

• Type: D/A converter, fully balanced
• Converter: 2× Burr-Brown 1794A, discrete I/V stage
• Channels: 4 independent, Class A output
• Inputs: USB (Amanero), AES/EBU, Toslink (optical), S/PDIF coaxial (RCA)
• Input formats: PCM up to 192 kHz / 24-bit
• Outputs: XLR balanced max. 3 V RMS, RCA unbalanced max. 1.5 V RMS (standard gold-plated, pure silver optional)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 0.3 dB
• Distortion (THD+N): < 0.01 %
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 120 dB
• Power supply: 12 separate linear power supplies, 230 V / 50–60 Hz, approx. 30 W
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 45 × 10 × 29 cm
• Weight: 5.5 kg
• Finish: Silver (standard or with pure-silver RCA jacks)
• Origin: Made in Switzerland
• Included: Merason DAC 1 Mk II D/A converter (Silver), power cable, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

How does the DAC 1 Mk II differ from the Reuss and the DAC 2?

The Reuss is the entry point into the same converter philosophy; the DAC 1 Mk II follows up with better measurements and more fine-tuning — the trade press's reference favourite. The DAC 2 takes it a step further with true dual-mono construction and Class A operation without feedback.

What does the pure-silver RCA jack add?

Instead of the standard gold-plated jacks, the RCA output carries jacks made of pure silver with a marginally lower contact resistance. This is the final polish for purists — no huge leap, but the option to take this detail along too.

Do I need a preamplifier, and does it play DSD?

You need an amplifier or preamp with a line-level input, since the DAC 1 Mk II has a fixed output level without volume control. It doesn't play DSD — it's designed for PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit, which covers the vast majority of sources.

Why buy the Merason DAC 1 Mk II from HD Zürisee?

Because a reference converter needs a system on the same level. As an authorized Merason dealer in Wädenswil, we demonstrate the DAC 1 Mk II on your own components, advise on sources and cabling, deliver, and install. Call us (044 680 22 00), write to us, or use WhatsApp (076 534 22 00, text only, no calls).

Goes well with

For the DAC 1 Mk II to show what it can do, it needs a clean source and a system on the same level: Streamers · CD players · Preamplifiers · Cables · Merason