Merason Reuss DAC
Best high-end converter for audiophiles seeking natural, balanced musicality.
Experience exceptional audio fidelity with the Merason Reuss DAC, a Swiss-made digital-to-analog converter designed for discerning listeners. It masterfully blends the detailed clarity of Sigma-Delta converters with the natural musicality of ladder designs. Featuring a true dual-mono architecture with two Burr Brown 1794A modules and a fully balanced Class A discrete output stage, the Reuss DAC ensures pristine signal processing. All digital inputs are galvanically isolated, and twelve independent power supplies provide unparalleled stability for a truly immersive listening experience.
$6000.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
99
/ 489
#99 in Audio Converters
Price vs Category Average
+37%
Above average
DAC Chipset
21794
/ x BurrBrown A
Who it's for
- Purists wanting a dedicated device focused strictly on sonic fidelity
- Vinyl enthusiasts seeking a smooth, natural digital listening experience
- Quality-focused listeners prioritizing long-term reliability and Swiss craftsmanship
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for entry-level or mid-range pricing
- Digital power users requiring MQA, DSD, or integrated streaming features
- Design-conscious owners preferring modern aesthetics or compact form factors
Performance breakdown
Sonic Musicality
Blends clinical precision with the organic warmth of classic ladder designs.
Build Integrity
Swiss-engineered aluminum housing ensures long-term durability and vibration resistance.
Signal Purity
Twelve independent power supplies eliminate noise for a pristine, silent background.
Output Architecture
True dual-mono design delivers exceptional channel separation and balanced signal integrity.
Input Versatility
Covers essential digital standards but lacks modern high-resolution DSD or MQA.
Dynamic Range
Burr Brown 1794A implementation provides expansive headroom for complex orchestral arrangements.
Key Specs
DAC Chipset
2x BurrBrown 1794A
SNR
> 115 dB
THD+N
< 0.015%
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Supported PCM Formats
Up to 24-bit/192 kHz
Output Level (Symmetric Max)
3 V RMS
Output Level (Asymmetric Max)
1.5 V RMS
Dimensions
450 mm (W) x 50 mm (H) x 290 mm (D)
Features
- True dual-mono design with 2x BurrBrown 1794A DACs
- Fully balanced architecture from converter to output
- Discrete Class A output buffer stage
- Galvanic isolation on all digital inputs
- Twelve independent power supplies for stability
- Bridges detail of Sigma-Delta and musicality of ladder
- Exclusively manufactured in Switzerland
- Supports PCM formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz
What customers say
The Merason Reuss DAC earns high praise for its profoundly musical and nonfatiguing presentation. Reviewers consistently note its analog quality, achieving exceptional resolution without sounding sterile. Users appreciate the natural timbre and realistic sound staging, finding that the Reuss makes digital audio deeply engaging. Beyond the stellar sonic performance, the robust, premium build quality reflects its Swiss engineering. While positioned at a premium price, the consensus among audiophiles is that the superior sound justifies the investment, making it a highly satisfying component that elevates the entire audio system.
Know before you buy
The Reuss is designed to bridge the gap between the clinical precision of Sigma-Delta converters and the organic, natural flow often associated with ladder DACs. By using a dual-mono BurrBrown 1794A architecture, it delivers high-resolution detail without sacrificing the warmth and musicality required for long listening sessions.
No, the Reuss is optimized specifically for PCM audio formats. It supports PCM files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, focusing on high-fidelity playback for standard high-resolution digital libraries.
The true dual-mono design uses independent circuitry for the left and right channels, which significantly improves channel separation and reduces crosstalk. This results in a more expansive, accurate soundstage and better imaging in your stereo setup.
Galvanic isolation physically separates the digital input stage from the rest of the DAC's circuitry. This prevents electrical noise and interference from your digital sources—like computers or streamers—from polluting the analog signal path, ensuring a cleaner, quieter background.
The Reuss features a fully balanced architecture, making it ideal for connection to balanced amplifiers via XLR. While it provides a symmetric output of 3V RMS and an asymmetric output of 1.5V RMS, it is best utilized in a fully balanced signal chain to take full advantage of its discrete Class A output stage.
The unit is designed to operate on either 230V or 115V AC, making it compatible with most global power standards. It features twelve independent power supplies to ensure that each section of the DAC receives stable, clean power for consistent performance.
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