Bluebird Music, a distributor of high-performance audio products, has announced the release of the Weiss DAC501 MK2 and DAC502 MK2 for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Both models are built by Weiss Engineering and represent the latest in the company’s nearly four-decade pursuit of high-fidelity sound reproduction.
The updated MK2 versions replace the previous DAC501 and DAC502, improving upon their predecessors with advanced DAC chips and upgraded circuitry. The result is said to be a notable improvement in transparency and openness.
Weiss’s proprietary discrete electronics are utilized in both the line and headphone output stages. Constructed with a stainless steel chassis and a 10mm aluminum faceplate, the MK2 units are built for durability and aesthetic appeal. Each channel is equipped with a pair of 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chips, providing excellent channel separation and noise rejection in both two and four-channel setups.
An internal high-precision clock generator operates at approximately 195kHz, enabling PCM signals up to 384 kHz and DSD x64/x128 to be re-clocked efficiently. The linear power supplies feature dual toroidal transformers and separate regulators for each channel, minimizing noise and crosstalk.
A key enhancement in the MK2 models is the analog stage, which now includes Weiss’s custom discrete operational amplifiers, the OP2-BP. These are individually designed and manufactured by Weiss to meet stringent performance criteria and surpass the performance of standard monolithic op-amp chips, contributing to a signal-to-noise ratio of 128dB.
The DAC501 MK2 and DAC502 MK2 share identical circuitry and components but differ in form factor. The DAC501 MK2 is a compact, half-width unit suitable for desktop, studio, and home systems, while the DAC502 MK2 features a full-width chassis and includes a four-pin balanced headphone connector on the rear panel.
User interaction is streamlined through a touch screen display, complemented by a full-function remote and a web interface. Both models are networkable and Roon Ready, facilitating integration into modern audio setups.
Pricing for the MK2 models is set at $11,995 for the DAC501 MK2 and $12,995 for the DAC502 MK2 in the United States, with Canadian prices at $15,495 and $16,795 respectively.
Upgrades from older DAC50x models are $2495 in the US and $3195 in Canada. The DAC501 MK2 and DAC502 MK2 are offered in black and silver finishes and are now available through Bluebird Music.
Weiss’s proprietary discrete electronics are utilized in both the line and headphone output stages. Constructed with a stainless steel chassis and a 10mm aluminum faceplate, the MK2 units are built for durability and aesthetic appeal. Each channel is equipped with a pair of 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC chips, providing excellent channel separation and noise rejection in both two and four-channel setups.
