Anyone upgrade to the Merason Dac1 mkii?

Fellow Audio Fanatics... I know some Merason DAC1 owners are out there! 

Would love your feedback on whether upgrade to the mkii version is worth it! 

Thanks! 
Bluethinker

@wig Thank you! I think I'd also sent you a private message a few months back, which you'd also responded to. 

I think I'm going to plan to upgrade the Merason to the MKii version some time in 2024. 

@zlone - Not sure if you already have a Merason Dac1, but I can attest to it's sound quality. Not that I've heard a ton, but I would describe the Merason as just being highly musical. The word "relaxed" seems to get used a lot in the reviews. I would concur - it's a relaxed and musical sound. 

@zlone - I have my primary system in my living room. My evening pleasure is to relax and listen to music so those qualities are important to me. To me, music is a bit of an escape from the rigors and pace of our frenetic and over stimulated world...

As I thought about different upgrade options, I started exploring the world of Dacs. 

Through my research, I went back and reread reviews on the Merason Dac1, including the more recent reviews of the MKii. By revisiting those reviews, it struck me that "relaxed and musical" were adjectives typically used in reference to the Dac1... 

It sort of reminded me that the sound I love in my living room could be altered - and possibly not in a good way - by going in a different direction with another Dac. 

Anyways, if you want to listen to music - and have somewhat relaxed (versus in your face and/or edgy) presentation, I can't recommend the Merason enough. I sort of feel lucky to have arrived at such a fitting device without having to have gone through a rigorous search. 

BTW - What Dac are you using now? And what do you like/not like about it? 

@choiceaudio - thank you for that! 

Two questions for you: 

1. How would you compare the Merason Dac1 mkii to the Mola Mola Dac? What are their respective strengths head to head? 
 

2. Can we upgrade to the Merason Dac1 mkii through you if our Dac1 mkii was purchased somewhere else? 
 

Thanks in advance! 
 

@choiceaudio - Thanks for providing the information. Will reach out to you when I have the discretionary funds for the upgrade! 

@ricco275 - I have the Merason Dac1 Mki. It’s a fantastic Dac, to be sure. I recommend it. I think the reviews are pretty spot on. 
 

@choiceaudio - You have the experience with both dacs in question. How would you compare the two? 

@ricco275 - Unfortunately, I've never heard the LaScala dac. I've had a sense that it might be one of the dacs suited for me, though. At least based on what I've read about it. 

I'd recommend taking Choice Audio up on his offering to provide his personal opinion on both dacs via PM. It turns out he carries a lot of the gear I own (Audio Hungary amp, Innuos products, Merason DAC1, and QLN and Dynaudio Heritage Speakers) so he was able to give incredibly useful advice with knowledge of my components. All my interactions with Choice Audio have been superlative. 

@choiceaudio @zlone - I worked with Choice Audio to upgrade the Merason Dac1 from Mki to the new Mkii version. Just got it back in the mail and put it back into my system. It's definitely a worthy upgrade. I've not had much time with it yet, but I'd say I hear improvement in tone, detail and overall musicality. 

@choiceaudio - Thanks for your help!!! I appreciate your professionalism. 

@choiceaudio - Within moments, I could tell the upgrade to the MKii version was well worth it. If someone has the funds, I'd strongly recommend pursuing the upgrade. Some day, if things go to plan, I'll hopefully be able to come and visit your showroom and demo the AudioNet amps. 

@zlone - I'll share my impressions in a few weeks, for sure. It might feel like hyperbole, but it almost feels like an entirely new audio component. Everything across the board goes up a notch.