SPL Mercury Mastering-Grade DA Converter

*Special Order

“Mercury makes for a fantastic DAC/interface for monitoring in mastering rooms and high-end mixing studios. SPL is known for its exceptional build and sound quality, and the Mercury Mastering DA Converter is no exception.” - Recording Magazine

“There’s not much to say about the sound of the SPL Mercury: it is outstanding. Especially the very good spatial depth and the differentiated bass foundation has to be emphasized. Compared to many mid-class converters, the Mercury simply sounds much more vivid, detailed, almost ‘analog’. It sounds as if there is no conversion in play, but rather a high-quality analog mixing console. In short: a sound quality worthy of a mastering studio.” - Professional Audio Magazine

Mastering DA converter

For mastering engineers and mixers in search of uncompromising quality on the bridge from their digital sources to their analog gear, Mercury is the first stereo 120V high-voltage rail digital to analog converter fulfilling the highest demands both technologically and tonally featuring 768 kHz/32-bit sampling rates and Direct Stream Digital up to DSD4.

The mandatory lowpass filters that immediately follow the DA converter’s analog output are built in 120V Rail Technology. The filters are each optimised for PCM and for DSD playback. They are referred to as DLP120, which stands for dual low-pass filters in 120V technology. For those who aren’t familiar with 120V Rail Technology, it was developed to allow components and circuitry to work on 120 volts. For perspective, that’s double the operating voltage of discrete opamps and quadruple the operating voltage of semiconductor opamps. Impressive, but what does that mean for you? It means more dynamic range and headroom, two things mastering and mixing engineers love.

A total of seven digital inputs (2x AES/EBU, 2x SPDIF, 2x TOSLINK as well as USB) can be connected to Mercury.

The converter chip in the Mercury’s digital/analog converter is the highly acclaimed AKM AK4493 SEQ VELVETSOUND premium DAC chip in the latest version of the SPL DAC “DAC768v2”, which thanks to its architecture reproduces the finest sound details. It impresses with even lower distortion characteristics and a wider dynamic range than its predecessor.

It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, which is equivalent to 16 times CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.

Mercury provides two sets of analog stereo outputs. One of which is fixed and can be calibrated to all common reference levels, the other provides an analog controllable output level, which makes Mercury a state-of-the-art monitor controller, too.

The Mercury is a serious piece of equipment for discerning ears that demand satisfaction. If you can’t stop thinking about high-definition D/A conversion, swing by our showroom and have a listen.

* A “Special Order” is a product that we normally do not keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We are the exclusive distributor for SPL, so we can get your special order to you fast, in about 1-2 weeks. Remember that special orders are non-cancelable, so make sure the item you are ordering is correct. Call us at +65 63388657 if you need assistance.

*Delays may be expected in the event of high order volumes or unforeseen circumstances.