Mytek Digital, the second MQA® license after Meridian to ship an Audiophile DAC with MQA technology, will be introducing their MQA-capable Manhattan II DAC. The new Manhattan II DAC is a reference USB/Network DAC/Preamplifier with MQA decoder, 384k PCM and DSD256, phono and line analogue preamplifier and a reference quality headphone amplifier.

It can integrate digital streaming and vinyl analogue playback for reference listening on headphones and speakers, when used with the optional Phono input card. An optional “Roon Ready” Network Card turns the DAC into a streamer. Designed with the new 130dB Sabre ES9038 32bit DAC chipset, the unit handles PCM up to 384k, 32bit, MQA, native DSD up to DSD256, DXD and 130dB Dynamic Range. A new Mytek Femto Clock™ is incorporated into their C777 Clocking architecture and Wordclock input and output allows stacking multiple units for multichannel operation, including multichannel DSD and SACD.ISO playback. There are two separate, oversized, isolated power supplies, one each for the analogue and digital stages and a 1dB analogue attenuator circuit for main out and headphones, with a choice of 1dB step digital 32bit attenuator or purist relay bypass.

The Manhattan II’s digital inputs are USB2 Class2 (OSX, Linux driverless, all formats, up to 32bit integer), AES/EBU, 3X S/PDIF, Toslink/ADAT, (up to 24 bit, PCM up to 192k, up to DSD64 DOP) and SDIF3 DSD up to DSD256. (Its two extra additional SPDIF inputs equals a total of three plus optical.) All front panel functions can be also controlled from a computer via Mytek Control Panel App. Analogue inputs: RCA Line In switchable to Phono with Optional Phono Card, second pair of RCA’s is Line In, third pair is XLR Balanced Line In. Analogue inputs are routed through minimal path (no caps) analogue attenuator directly to analogue and headphone outputs. The headphone function offers a reference high current, high transient headphone amp, 500mA, 6 Watts, 0 Ohm out impedance. Its dual headphone jacks are designed to drive the most demanding headphones with +/-12V swing. Balanced operation is possible with an optional Mytek Balanced Headphone Adapter.

An enhanced front panel menu structure offers easier operation over its predecessor. Mytek’s Control Panel App allows full control from computer, the included Apple IR remote and future control via an iPad App (tba in 2017). The Manhattan II’s sculpted form was the result of Mytek’s working with industrial designers. The bi-metal fabrication of its inner steel chassis covered in a California-made custom-milled aluminium enclosure. The optional Precision Phono Analogue Preamp Card offers a M/M, M/C Phono Preamplifier with custom nickel core step up transformers, relay switchable and tunable. Input impedances, transformer ratios, RIAA curves and choice of gain can be changed within the menu or using the remote via relay switches. Optional card is sold separately and is user-installable. The optional “Roon Ready” Network Card turns the Manhattan II into a network streamer with 24/192k and DSD64 maximum throughput. Compatible w/ Roon, Airplay, DLNA/UpnP, Spotify Connect, IOS and Android.

Shipping in late November, the Manhattan II will be uniquely available in three finishes: Silver, Black and Gold. MSRP: $5,995 US/Worldwide or €5,995 (VAT incl.) in EU. The Phono Preamplifier Card is optional at $1,495; Roon Ready Network Card is optional at $995. Current Manhattan owners will be offered a full upgrade to Manhattan II for $995, starting December, 2016. Upgrade requires replacement of the motherboard, and can be performed by Mytek’s Brooklyn, NY office, Mytek EU Office in Warsaw and importing dealers worldwide.

Power Supply: Switchable 115/230VAC (100V Japanese version available)

Dimensions: W x D x H = 17″ x 10.5″ x 1.95″ = 432 x 267 x 50mm.

Weight: 16lbs, 8kg

Warranty: 2 years