AMONG the most significant spillovers from the burgeoning market for computer-centric audio systems is the emergence of new players in the convergent/crossover realm ( audiophiles moving to PCs or Macs as their playback source, as well as music-loving geeks curious about the benefits a proper system of separates).
One name in this field that has been quickly building a formidable reputation for itself is Italy’s M2Tech, for accessories like the Young and Evo DACs, and even outboard power supplies like the Palmer. The company also supplies OEM boards to other manufacturers.
M2Tech has just launched its flagship DAC, the Vaughan, which spent some time in the refinement process before being let loose to the word this week. What’s so special, then? Well, this is a 32-bit/384kHz-capable digit cruncher, with ultra-low jitter oscillators and proprietary drivers. It comes with a fully automated battery power supply and remote control.
Standard audio drivers on your PC or Mac have their limitations in that they often limit out at 96kHz. The proprietary drivers for the Vaughan allow transfer of audio data without any loss of resolution, while sampling frequency constraints are overcome. Used with, say, FooBar, the Vaughan lets you listen to your digital music files at 32-bit/384kHz maximum frequency/resolution, avoiding undesired PC or MAC audio mixer data processing during the data transfer from hard disk to interface.
Also, according M2Tech, the Vaughan’s time shift drive approach applies “four DAC ICs per channel used in mono mode, driven in a time shifting fashion to allow for an implicit low pass anti-alias filtering at the analogue buffer’s inputs which uses no capacitors or other passive components.”
Digital inputs are a-plenty – one USB (2.0) B type female, one Ethernet, two RCA, two BNC, two XLR, two optical Toslink, two optical ST and one external clock BNC. As for analogue outputs, two pairs each of RCAs and XLRs are provided, along with a headphone output.
The sampling frequency options are 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4khZ, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, with resolution of 16 up to 32-bit.
Output is 2.7V with the single-ended connectors, 5.4V via balanced and 6.5V via headphones. We’ve not be informed of the Vaughan’s price yet, but stay tuned…this one certainly promises to be a sonic stunner.
