Mytek 192 Dac

The Mytek 192DSD has two separate usb inputs. The USB 1.1 requires no
driver installation, and allows playback up to 96 kHz. The USB 2.0 and
Firewire let the listener play also 192 kHz audio and DSD.

The USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 have a different signature. I believe it depends
on the presence of custom drivers and how they are handled by Windows
operating system. The USB 1.1 is my reference when listening to the
Mytek. With it, the Mytek sounds neutral (warmish side of neutral). The
USB 2.0 is shrill sounding. I have read several contrasting feelings
about the Mytek DAC on the web, some defining it bright sounding, other
defining it smooth sounding. The thing is, it really changes signature
depending on the input. The USB 2.0 has is more detailed, but it loses
soul and becomes too digital sounding.

The Firewire is, similarly to the USB 1.0, a good input. It’s a bit less
smooth, but gains in detail (kind of halfway in tonality / detail
retrieval between the USB 1.1 and 2.0 inputs, still on the realistic
side) and lets you play up to 192 kHz, plus DSD.

As a PC owner, I am reviewing the Mytek as sounding with USB 1.1: that’s
the way the Mytek shows its best qualities. The USB 2.0 input, though,
is necessary to play both 192 kHz and DSD.

This
version is intended for mastering engineers involved in downloadable DSD and
SACD mastering/remastering and for general professional use. A pair of BNC SDIF
DSD inputs allow digital transfers from existing DSD recording equipment and
professional SACD players to the computer’s hard disk. This version is the same
as the “Black Preamp” version but with digital DSD inputs instead of analog.
Other functionality, technical specs, sound quality and firmware are the same
for all 3 versions with the exception of the analog vs. SDIF DSD inputs, color
of panel and presence of LED level meters.

Specifications

-
Audiophile quality conversion, 128dB, 192 kHz, DSD, 128xDSD

- 32 bit
Sabre DAC

- USB2.0
(async) and Firewire interfaces

- Standard
AES, SPDIF, SDIF, WCK, optical ins/outs

-
Audiophile quality high current headphone amplifier

- Precision
programmable analog 1dB step attenuator

- Balanced
XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs

- Built in
upsampling to 192k feature w/ jitter reduction

- SDIF DSD
Digital Inputs (no preamp function)