Anyone upgrade to the Merason Dac1 mkii?

@ricco275 

It's not really a fair comparison until you get a decent dedicated streamer.  The renderer module from MSB is quite good for the price tag.

You would probably need a streamer the quality level of the Innuos Pulse, Aurender N200, etc. to make a fair comparison.

The streamers make a big difference.  We carry MSB, so I'm familiar with their renderer module, but I have never compared the DAC1 to the Discrete DAC.  I have vs the Premier DAC and the DAC1 holds it ground vs the Premier DAC, but the Premier DAC is better in every facet of comparison.

I have added a passive preamp to the chain and it was a metamorphosis. I like very much the DAC1 now. And the MSB discrete sounds over detailed and too brilliant, fatiguing to me. The magic of changing pieces in the chain. 
I just wonder if I actually own the DAC1 mk1 or mk2. The dealer swears to have sold me a mk1, however it has the full aluminium look vs the glossy faceplate and metal chassis of what I have always seen. 
 

@ricco275  Maybe you can call or email Merason with the serial number to get the ID sorted out

@facten yes that’s what I intend to do. Maybe it’s an mk1 and they were already releasing new chassis. 

@ricco275 @facten 

Yes, that would be the fastest way to make sure.  @ricco275 Thanks for sharing the update of the changes with the new preamp.  Your findings are concordant with what I have observed over the last couple of years, especially since we started carrying some of the very high end DACs.  The perceived differences between DACs are very dependent how resolving your system is as well as how dialed in your system is from a proper set up.  The more resolving your system is, the easier it is to hear the differences and the improvements.  If your system is set up properly, it is easier to hear the improved imaging and spatial information that a better DAC can provide.  Component synergy also plays a role.  That's why we feel the best way to know is audition the gear in your own home and in your own system.