{"product_id":"merason-frerot-dac-schwarz","title":"Merason frérot D\/A Converter, Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Merason frérot is a compact D\/A converter that turns digital sources like streamers, computers, CD transports, or TVs into natural, finely resolved sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's the entry point into the world of Merason — handmade in Switzerland, with the characteristically calm, effortless converter sound the brand is known for. Small in the case, grown-up in tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy the frérot?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt its heart works a Burr-Brown 1794A with a discrete I\/V stage and fully balanced Class A output — the same converter chip type as in the big DAC-1, though there it's used twice over in mono operation. Ten separate power supplies feed each stage individually, and all inputs (USB via Amanero, 2× coax, 2× Toslink) are galvanically isolated and de-jittered. The result is a surprisingly large, calm sound that goes well beyond what the price class suggests. The trade press agrees: High Fidelity named the frérot \"Best Product\" in 2021, and LowBeats awarded it 4.6 out of 5 stars and the rating \"outstanding\" in 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNaturalness without digital harshness. Voices and instruments stand tangibly in the room, dynamic swings arrive cleanly, and even after hours, the sound stays relaxed rather than fatiguing. The frérot doesn't artificially warm anything up — it lets the recording breathe. Honestly, that's exactly what you want from a good converter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is the frérot for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal if you finally want real hi-fi sound out of your streamer, laptop, TV, or CD transport without spending a fortune. Straight talk: the frérot is a pure D\/A converter — no streamer, no headphone amp, no app hub. If you maintain a large DSD collection, you're better served by the Mountain DAC; the frérot plays PCM up to 192 kHz\/24-bit. And if you only feed it compressed files over Bluetooth, you're buying a racing bike to wait for the tram — its potential wants audibly better sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor what it can do, the frérot is almost too cheap. If you want even more silence and fine dynamics, add the optional pow1 linear power supply — that takes the little one up a full class. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll advise you on whether the frérot suits your system solo or with the pow1.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConverter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Burr-Brown 1794A (stereo), discrete I\/V stage, fully balanced Class A output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e max. 4 V RMS (balanced\/XLR), max. 2 V RMS (unbalanced\/RCA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1× USB (Amanero), 2× coaxial (RCA), 2× Toslink – all galvanically isolated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupported formats:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCM up to 192 kHz \/ 24-bit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.2 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistortion (THD+N):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026lt; 0.006 % · Signal-to-noise ratio \u0026gt; 120 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 separate power supplies, external 9 V DC plug-in adapter (upgradable with Merason pow1)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W × H × D):\u003c\/strong\u003e 22.5 × 5 × 18 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 995 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Swiss Made · 3-year warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Merason frérot D\/A converter (Black), external plug-in power supply, instruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the frérot a streamer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, the frérot is a pure D\/A converter. You connect your streamer, computer, CD transport, or TV via USB, coax, or Toslink — the frérot turns it into first-class sound. It doesn't come with a network streamer or a playback app.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat resolution does the frérot play?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe frérot processes PCM up to 192 kHz\/24-bit across all inputs. That covers CD, Qobuz, Tidal, and nearly all hi-res files. It doesn't play native DSD — if you need that, take a look at the Merason Mountain DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the pow1 power supply add?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe optional pow1 linear power supply replaces the included plug-in adapter and delivers a calmer background, more dynamics, and body. Several magazines credit the duo with a jump to the next class. It can be added at any time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Merason frérot from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause we know which converter really blossoms with which system. As an experienced team in Wädenswil, we advise you on sources, cables, and the pow1 question, handle delivery and installation, and take care of service. Call us (044 680 22 00), write to us, or use WhatsApp (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e, text only, no calls).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe frérot is best fed with a clean source and connected properly: \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/streamer\"\u003eStreamers\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/cd-player\"\u003eCD players\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/kabel\"\u003eCables\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/en-ch\/collections\/merason\"\u003eMerason (pow1 \u0026amp; more)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merason","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53101494075728,"sku":null,"price":1372.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/merason-frerot-d-a-wandler-schwarz-frontansicht.jpg?v=1786524064","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en-ch\/products\/merason-frerot-dac-schwarz","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}