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MERASON Frérot DAC - Alma Music and Audio - Alma Music and Audio -

MERASON Frérot DAC

by MERASON
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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 artifacts.

The Frérot receives digital signals via USB, two S/PDIF RCA inouts 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 DAC-1 works with two of these chips in mono mode. The little brother is content with a single 1794A in stereo mode. The MERASON Frérot only processes PCM data up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.

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.

Technical data MERASON frérot

Output: max. 4 V RMS (symmetrical), max. 2 V RMS (asymmetrical).

Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.1 dB.
THD + N: <0.006%.
SNR:> 120 dB.
DAC: Burr Brown 1794A, discrete I / V stage.

Output: discrete structure.
Power supply: 9V DC, 12 W via the included external power supply 100V to 240V AC / 50 to 60 Hz, 40 W.

Audio formats
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: 22.5 cm,
Height: 5 cm,
Depth: 18 cm,
Weight: 995 g (DAC), 200 g (power supply).

Click here for a great review of the MERASON Frérot, on The Audio Beatnik!