Merason Frerot Digital to Analog Convertor
Merason's entry-level DAC is an amazing feat of engineering. In a compact, powder-coated aluminum case, the Merason Frérot packs a punch!
Using an innovative 6-layer PCB, two for the power supply, two for interference immunity and two for signal routing, the analog signal is then finally delivered using a novel process so that the output capacitors in the signal path can be omitted. This is to avoid audible artefacts.
The Frérot receives digital signals via USB, two S/PDIF RCA inputs and two optical Toslink connections. Inputs are selected via a an ELMA rotary coding switch on the front. As with its big brother DAC-1, the digital signals go to a tried and tested Burr Brown 1794A converter. The USB input is based on Amanero technology and ensures a low-jitter music signal thanks to two precise oscillators, which is additionally galvanically isolated by capacitive isolator components. The signals arriving at the other inputs are also galvanically isolated and de-jittered by means of transformers. This guarantees that no external interference can affect the sensitive signal.
The task of digital-to-analog conversion is performed by a 1794A converter module from Burr Brown. 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 frerot is fully balanced, i. e. a total of four independent channels are implemented from the two converter modules to the output. The signal continues on the board of the D / A converter to the discrete analog class A output amplifier. The signal processing in the Frérot is symmetrical throughout. The output of the analog output signal for further processing occurs symmetrically via XLR sockets and asymmetrically via RCA sockets. The output voltage is 2 volts (4 volts rms). This means that the Frérot plays 2dB louder than sources with 1.5V voltage, which the listener notices when switching directly.
As with the DAC1, each functional unit has its own power supply, and there are ten in total. Unlike the DAC1, all four output channels are supplied by one supply, which is generated by a switching voltage regulator.
Meticulous attention has been paid to the layout and component selection to ensure that both ensure good sound, which has been verified in many sessions and confirmed by many listeners.
Made in Switzerland: As with the DAC1, all critical work is done exclusively in Switzerland.
Features
- Based on BurrBrown 1794A Current Output module
- 2 x SPDIF coaxial, 2 x SPDIF optical, 1 x USB type Digital Input
- 1 x Stereo RCA Output, 1 x Stereo Balanced Output
- Made in Switzerland
Specifications
- Output 4 V RMS (balanced), max. 2 V RMS (unbalanced)
- Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.2dB
- Signal to Noise < 0.006 %
- SNR > 120 dB
- DAC BurrBrown 1794A, discrete I/V stage
- 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
- Power Supply 9V DC, 12 W via enclosed external power supply unit. Enclosed external power supply unit 100V to 240V AC / 50 to 60 Hz, 40W
- Dimensions Width: 22.5 cm, 8.86 In, Height: 5 cm, 1.97 In, Depth: 18 cm, 7.1 In
- Weight 995 g, 2.2 lbs (DAC), 200 g, 0.44 lbs (power supply)
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