

- #MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC FULL SIZE#
- #MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC DRIVER#
- #MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC SERIES#
They can be used to connect two pairs of headphones, or to attach a single pair of headphones wired with separate cords for left and right drivers, thus offering the opportunity to reduce headphone crosstalk.

The other two sockets offer an exceptionally low impedance (around 3mΩ) and are standard 1/4in stereo (tip-ring-sleeve) types, carrying both channels. One is a 3.5mm stereo socket for the connection of earbuds and similar devices, which presents an output impedance of 2Ω to suit these devices. Three front-panel headphone sockets are provided, optimised for purpose. An analogue output is also provided so the product can be connected to an active loudspeaker, or conventional amplifier and loudspeaker system for a high-performance simple system. A special flexible shaft coupling is employed to avoid microphony, resulting from operation of the volume knob. This is even true of the volume potentiometer, a high-quality Alps-type mounted near the rear of the unit, which controls the level of all outputs. Virtually all the active audio components are at the rear of the unit, as close to the connectors as possible to minimise the audio path length, and are essentially remote-controlled from the front panel. The use of an external power supply means that AC noise is kept well away from the pure analogue stages of the Headphone Amplifier. The Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier can be powered by the wall- mounted supply provided, or by the similarly sized, and styled, Meridian Prime Power Supply for even higher audio quality. This ensures that noise is kept away from critical audio components for lifelike details that are critical for headphone listening.
#MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC FULL SIZE#
Prime Headphone Amplifierĭespite its diminutive size, Meridian Prime echoes the design elements of any other Meridian product, including a double skinned, bead blasted metal chassis found on Meridian’s full size components. The DAC itself offers extremely low modulation noise and distortion, and incorporates the highest quality components throughout, including audiophile grade capacitors, resistors and gold-plated phono sockets. Separate precision reference oscillators are included for sample rates based on 44.1 kHz and on 48 kHz, minimizing jitter. Standard sample rate signals (16–24 bit, 44.1/48kHz) are automatically upsampled to 24- bit 88.2/96kHz. The proprietary Apodising filter results in a purer sound, and can also clean up some recording faults, particularly in earlier digital recordings. Each side has molded end caps that provide connections as well as source choice and resolution.ĭirect supports sample rates up to 24-bit, 192kHz and incorporates Meridian Resolution Enhancement technologies, including Meridian Upsampling and the Apodising filter, improving audio quality.
#MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC SERIES#
These sound enhancing technologies are derived from the award-winning line of Reference 800 Series components, and significantly out-perform the DACs found in computers and most network players.įeaturing an all-metal elliptical case, Direct echoes design elements immediately identifying it as a Meridian product. Direct USB, S/PDIF & TosLink DACĭirect forms the ideal add-on for network players and music servers with digital outputs, bringing Meridian performance and ultimate sound quality to an entirely new class of audio products and systems. In seconds you’ll be enjoying phenomenal sound whether you’re playing online video, your ripped CDs or even playing high resolution audiophile music downloads.Įxplorer 2 also integrates a headphone amp making it the perfect companion to something like Sennheiser’s great Momentums.
#MERIDIAN DIRECT DAC VS MERIDIAN EXPLORER DAC DRIVER#
To use Explorer 2, simply plug it in to your computer’s USB port and, if you’re on Windows, load a simple driver file. However Meridian set out to deliver this performance in a simple to use and affordable format that would bring their great sound to an even wider audience.

The Explorer 2 has been designed to deliver the audio quality customers would expect from a product carrying the Meridian brand.
