Merason DACs

@zlone thanks for the link! That’s quite the comprehensive review/thoughts. From my read he preferred the Merason DAC mk2 in the end, correct?

Sorry, just spent reading the entire thread for 30 mins and now I’m confused with what Mitch preferred at the end lol (before Aries Cerat Helene came into the picture)

I believe the Merason was edged out by the Mojo Mystique. An intriguing DAC as well, but other reviews are mixed. The Helene is a bit out of my price range, and it has tubes, meh.

Side tip: I recently popped a Singxer SU-6 between my Zenith and the Reuss, definitely a step up in definition. 

@sim_audio_nerd - I have the Merason Dac1 MKii but have not heard the Reuss Dac. I am using it with a Gryphon 120 amp and Dynaudio Heritage speakers. It’s a marvelous sounding system. I have also used it with a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 amp with EL34 tubes and QLN Prestige 3 speakers which is very warm sounding system. The Merason Dac1 MKii is a very smooth Dac and makes for long listening sessions. It’s a keeper and I don’t see myself ever selling it. 

With the CJ amp and QLN speakers I am going to demo a SoulNote Dac which apparently has a more forward presentation. 

As with all things, I’ve come to realize it’s all about system matching. 

@bluethinker I recently replaced my Acoustic Zen interconnects with Veritas, just to try something new. Note I m also using QLN 3 speakers. These were a significant change, erasing a bit of the warmth and adding clarity, though maybe a little bass shy. Still trying to decide if I like it better.

@sim_audio_nerd 

Here you go:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/anyone-upgrade-to-the-merason-dac1-mkii