New Meridian DAC
 

Meridian announced this week their new "ultra" DAC. Bit of a pretentious name, but all the same, they do have a rather good track record with digital kit, so it's likely to be pretty good, or at least should be taking into account it's suggested price:

https://www.meridian-audio.com/produ...ian-ultra-dac/

Appears to be capable of acting as a streaming end point, DAC and stereo pre-amp.

It will be interesting to hear the 'analog world's impression of it. :music:

I heard this DAC yesterday in a store in Northern VA. Sounded terrific. Smooth, detailed, and delineating. Probably one of the best source components I've ever heard, and that includes a full monty Linn LP12. I'm trying to decide between this DAC, and a couple models from Totaldac, which are hard to audition in the US.

At that price point, you owe it to yourself to audition the Esoteric D02-X

The Ultra Dac may be awesome.
It makes me smile as an owner of a pretty old dac, the MDA1000, to read that this Meridian is the first dac in their line to use dual mono dacs !
The lack of inventiveness in the names of modern products " Ultra Dac, Total Dac...." is depressing. :)

The MDA1000 is a total DAC and a ultra DAC, what are you feeding it with lately:D

Does Esoteric offer upgrade paths for owners of older gear? As an example, can a D-02 owner upgrade to D-02X without having to purchase an entirely new component?

Geez I wish! Well there are some upgrades but it doesn't turn a non X into an X.

Negative :o

May 2017 issue of Stereophile has a full review of the Meridian Ultra DAC. JA loved it.