Musical Surroundings
Musical Surroundings MYDAC II Digital to Analog Converter
Best digital-to-analog converter for audiophiles seeking a natural, analog-like sound.
Experience superior digital audio with the Musical Surroundings MYDAC II. This digital-to-analog converter features Michael Yee’s innovative MODR technology, utilizing an FPGA for advanced signal reconstruction. It significantly reduces jitter and enhances low-level resolution, delivering a natural, analog-like soundstage. The MYDAC II processes digital inputs through a Texas Instruments DAC chipset and includes an analog de-emphasis stage for refined output. It excels at revealing subtle musical textures and spatial details, making compressed audio sound more natural and offering performance that rivals more expensive units.
$799.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
99
/ 489
#99 in Audio Converters
Price vs Category Average
-82%
Below average
S/PDIF coax input
321921624
/ kHz- kHz sample rates, - bits resolution
Who it's for
- Audiophiles prioritizing emotional engagement and natural sound over clinical precision
- Minimalists seeking reliable performance without complex setup or menu navigation
- System builders connecting multiple digital sources like streamers and transports
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious listeners seeking maximum value for their investment
- Desktop users needing an all-in-one headphone amplifier or preamp solution
- DSD enthusiasts requiring support for the highest resolution file formats
Performance breakdown
Signal Reconstruction
Michael Yee’s FPGA-driven MODR technology delivers exceptional digital-to-analog signal integrity.
Jitter Reduction
Advanced processing effectively minimizes timing errors for a cleaner, more stable output.
Soundstage Depth
Creates a spacious, natural presentation that mimics high-end analog listening experiences.
Resolution Clarity
Reveals subtle textures and micro-details often lost in standard digital playback.
Input Versatility
Covers essential digital connections, though USB support is limited to 48kHz.
Compressed Audio Enhancement
Breathes new life into lossy files by smoothing out digital harshness.
Key Specs
S/PDIF coax input
32 kHz-192 kHz sample rates, 16-24 bits resolution
TosLink optical input
up to 96 kHz
USB input
up to 48 kHz/16-bit
DAC Chipset
Texas Instruments PCM1798 (delta sigma)
Digital reconstruction executed via FPGA
Output Interface Types
Toslink Optical, Coaxial Digital
Maximum Bit Depth
24 bits
Input Interface Types
Optical (Toslink), Coaxial, USB-A
Features
- Utilizes MODR for optimized digital reconstruction
- FPGA handles software-driven signal processing
- Minimizes digital jitter for clearer sound
- Enhances low-level resolution for detail
- Creates a natural, analog-like soundstage
- Makes compressed audio sound more natural
- Offers future upgradability options
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Musical Surroundings MYDAC II for its exceptional sound quality, describing the presentation as natural, organic, and highly detailed. Reviewers consistently note a significant enhancement in soundstage depth and width, allowing subtle nuances in recordings to emerge clearly. The sonic signature is characterized as wonderfully musical and nonfatiguing, supporting extended, immersive listening sessions. Beyond performance, the DAC earns appreciation for its robust and elegant build quality, suggesting premium craftsmanship. A strong consensus indicates that the MYDAC II delivers compelling value, with many users feeling its sonic improvements surpass its price point when compared to more expensive alternatives. It is celebrated as a highly recommended upgrade that genuinely elevates the audio experience.
Know before you buy
MODR technology uses an FPGA to handle digital signal reconstruction, which significantly reduces jitter. This process results in a clearer, more natural soundstage that helps reveal subtle textures often lost in standard digital conversion.
Yes, the MYDAC II is specifically designed to make compressed audio sound more natural. By enhancing low-level resolution and refining the output, it helps smooth out the harshness often associated with lower-bitrate digital files.
The S/PDIF coaxial input supports sample rates ranging from 32 kHz up to 192 kHz, with a bit depth resolution of 16 to 24 bits.
The USB input on the MYDAC II is limited to 48 kHz/16-bit audio. If you intend to play high-resolution files above this threshold, you should utilize the coaxial or optical inputs instead.
The analog de-emphasis stage is a refinement process that helps balance the frequency response of the signal. It ensures the final output is smoother and more consistent, contributing to the unit's signature analog-like sound.
Yes, the unit is designed with future upgradability in mind. Because the digital reconstruction is handled by an FPGA, the architecture allows for potential software-driven improvements over time.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.