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Our Sonnet Digital Audio Morpheus is a great NOS dac with custom made chips and an excellent preamp. MQA and I2s are among the possibilities but like the Merason Audio DAC1, DSD is off limits. We think the Morpheus is reference material with sufficient flexibility and a honest reproduction. The differences with the DAC1 are limited. Very limited. But audible. The Morpheus sounds precise and natural just like the DAC1 but with the DAC1 our brain relaxes a bit more. We relax completely while listening and are only concerned with the music. An extraordinary experience.
For Whom
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.
Fortunately, we still have the Frérot which shares much of the DNA of the DAC1. So if the DAC1 is too much of a challenge, there’s always the little brother. How much of that DNA does the Frérot possess we hear you think? At least 80 percent. Diminishing returns is the beautiful name for it in English
I think the Merason is the technical most capable dac of those, personally I would not go to atoll or moon for a dac but for a brand that is specialized (or known for) its DAC’s.
If you want a DAC that goes next level in terms of technicalities and presentation and have some to spend, maybe look at Lampizator, SW1X, TotalDac. These bring next level performance while retaining musicality and would be my first picks for brands.
There is also the likes of Chord, Berkeley for a more clean, maybe more analytical approach. Sometimes that pairs better if you already have a very warm sounding system.
And there are many more brands to look out for DAC-wise: aqua-hifi, emmlabs, bricasti, rockna, schiit, denafrips, nagra, holo-audio, metrum acoustics, sonnet audio, …
There is no best, it will come down to preference and synergy. There is however a difference in technical abilities and presentation once you go up. There is no golden goose, with the brands I mentioned you can expect a performance (gain) more or less in line with its pricepoint. There are however other hifi brands (not specialized in DAC’s) that also charge these prices without the gain in technicalities, but more based on the expectation tied with the brand I suppose, so sadly the rule of more expensive is better is not universal.
Anyways, this is my 2 cents, as we all know in audio, the next guy might have completely different experience. Hope it helps.
Hi, I own an Atoll ST200. I am happy with it, but I need to go beyond because I bought Cube Nenuphar and Tektron Two….I am considering the Merason DAC1 , go up with Atoll ST300 or Moon 280 DAC. You have heard all of them…wich would you choose. Mostly I listen jazz . Un abrazo from Chile