Back when AudioStream was launched with me at the helm as Editor in 2011 to coincide with RMAF, DSD was all the rage. Brooklyn’s Mytek Digital introduced their Stereo192-DSD DAC, which came in a few thousand dollars less than the nearest competitor.
Today, Mytek has spread out its product line in both directions with the more affordable Liberty line, the flagship Empire line, with Brooklyn and Manhattan sitting in between.
The book-sized Liberty DAC II packs a ton of features into its small chassis which include support for any file format you care to throw its way, five digital inputs, single-ended and balanced outputs, digital volume control, and a headphone amp.
D to A conversion is handled by a chip from ESS, but here’s what matters even more in terms of sound quality:
Namely, everything.
I very much look forward to getting back in touch with Mytek through my ears in Barn. Stay tuned.
Mytek Liberty DAC II
Price: $1495
Company Website: Mytek Audio
Specifications
Conversion: Up to 768k, 32bit PCM, native DSD up to DSD512, DXD, ES9038 chipset, 127dB DR
MQA HI-RES Decoder: Built in certified hardware MQA decoder
Digital Inputs: USB2 Class2 (OSX, Linux driverless, all audio formats), AES/EBU (PCM up to 192k, up to DSD64 DOP), 2x S/PDIF (PCM up to 192k, up to DSD64 DOP), Toslink/ADAT 2x S/PDIF (PCM up to 192k, up to DSD64 DOP)
Analog Outputs: 1 pair of unbalanced RCA, 1 pair of balanced XLR
Headphone Amplifier: Reference High Current, High transient Headphone Amp, 300mA, 3 Watts, designed for hard to drive headphones, 0.1 Ohm impedance
Clock Generator: Low noise with 10ps of jitter
Firmware: Upgradable via USB
Power Supply: Built in oversized 60W linear toroid with automatic voltage switching
Dimensions (W x D x H): 5.5 x 8.8 x 1.74″ | 140 x 225 x 44mm
Weight: 4lbs | 2kg
Warranty: 2 years