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John
Italy’s M2Tech have been talking about an update to their Young DAC for what feels like forever but a formal press release this week indicates that it’s finally coming to market.
To the original Young design, M2Tech have added three new features: balanced outputs, DSD compatibility and pre-amplifier functionality.
M2Tech have gone clever-clever in helping you keep the Young pre’s output voltage better matched to your power amplifier’s input sensitivity. They’ve implemented switchable doubling/halving of output voltages for both single-ended and balanced outputs:
- 2.7Vrms (single-ended with adaptors, normal”)
- 5.4Vrms (single-ended with adaptors, “high”)
- 5.4Vrms (balanced, “normal”)
- 10.8Vrms (balanced, “high”)
Both the supplied remote control and front-fascia-mounted pot allow for volume attenuation from 0dB to -96dB in 0.5dB steps. The remote also packs HID for full control of your software player.
The predecessor’s array of digital inputs still feature: asynchronous USB, S/PDIF RCA, S/PDIF BNC and AES/EBU, each of which deal PCM up to 24bit/384kHz, DSD64 and DSD128 (making it fully trend compliant). The USB input extends PCM bit depth capability to 32.
You can find more information on the Young DSD DAC/pre over at the M2Tech website but this YouTube video shot at Greece’s Hxos Eikona also provides a solid overview. (Note the horrendously bland hifi show music playing in the background).
It also looks like M2Tech have side-stepped the driver migraine of previous models by making this new Young fully UAC 2.0 compliant. That means it’s plug n play on OS X Mavericks!
Alas, no word yet on pricing. Frustrating. This new Young’un will sell for €1250.
Further information: M2Tech
