exaSound S82 Mark II Streamer, DAC & Roon Server – Quick Look
All Image Credit: ExaSound
Canadian Hi-Fi brand exaSound recently announced the release of their upgraded s82 streaming DAC, the s82 MarkII. This upgraded model provides all the same functionality as the original S82 but becomes an all-in-one Roon Server, Streamer, reference grade DSD DAC and Headphone Amplifier and is now available on their web site.
The MKII upgrades include:
- Intel i5 server module for hosting the Roon Core
- 2 or 6 TB internal SSD storage for music files (option)
- RAM upgrade from 8GB to 16GB
- Two additional USB 3 ports and new USB-C port
- New firmware version 53 with improved user experience
These DAC’s feature the ESS Flagship 32-Bit HyperStream® II ES9038PRO 8-channel digital-to-analog converter together with refinements to include; autonomous balanced and unbalanced output stages with improved micro-symmetry, high-resolution volume control, proprietary asynchronous USB streaming, Galvanic isolation, 32-bit low-jitter, bit-perfect signal path and manual selection of PCM reconstructions filters.
Tested and profiled by Roon Labs the s82 Mark II in addition to now being a Roon Server, Roon Ready Streamer and Roon tested DAC, offers a UPnP server and supports streaming with Signalyst HQPlayer, UPnP, AirPlay, Bluetooth and online services Tidal, Qobuz and YouTube. It can also play native DSD encoded files and streams up to DSD512; DXD 352.8 kHz; PCM and MQA up to 384 kHz.
Front panel controls include; power button, input selector, volume control, mute, remote setup button and headphone socket. The s82 default configuration is sufficient for immediate use. However, if you wish to customize the network configuration and other user settings they are all available via a web page hosted on the s82 Mark II.
The S82’s come with a single desktop style 12V switching power supply that drives 16 internal linear power conditioning stages that feed every subsystem using a dedicated power source. This technique makes the s82 Mark II very insensitive to the quality of the external power supply. However, in order to achieve the lowest possible noise level, a third-party 12V linear power supply can be added so that the DAC and server modules run off their own power supplies. The built in server and DAC do not share a common ground being galvanically isolated from each-other, this ensures that interference from the server is not transmitted to the DAC.
Features & Connectivity At A Glance:
- Sample Rates: ENclusiv™ comprehensive sample rate support
- DSD64: 2.8224 and 3.072 MHz
- DSD128: 5.6448 and 6.144 MHz
- DSD256: 11.2896 and12.288 MHz
- DSD512: 22.5792 and 24.576 MHz
- PCM/DXD: 44.1kHz to 384kHz at 32 bits
- MQA full ‘unfold’ for delivering Hi-Res music data up to 384kHz
- Converter Core: ESS Technologies ES9038PRO reference monolithic DAC
- USB Input (1): Proprietary ZeroJitter™ asynchronous USB interface with error correction on classic B–Type connector, USB cable included
- USB 3.0 Host Support (2): Custom, high performance Windows ASIO drivers; MAC Core Audio drivers with DoP256 support
- USB 2.0 (2): Optional Keyboard, Mouse for use with Web UI and Web Streaming
- LAN Input (1): Wired Gigabit Ethernet and wireless Wi Fi 802.11ac supporting Roon RAAT, Signalyst NAA, UPnP, Bluetooth and Airplay audio streaming.
- HDMI Output (2): WEB UI/Web Streaming and future use
- Server Support: Built-in: Roon Core and UPnP server with DSD512 support. External: Roon, HQPlayer, UPnP, Bluetooth and Airplay.
- Clock: FemtoMaster™ super–low jitter quad-clock architecture, with 82 femtosecond master clock and 3 auxiliary stream-control clocks
- Power Conditioning: 16 linear power filtering stages, optional dedicated external linear power supply for the DAC subsystem
- Host Noise Rejection: GalvanicInfinity™ – Galvanic isolation between the USB subsystem, server module and the DAC circuitry eliminates ground loop noise and blocks computer–generated interference
- ZeroResolutionLoss™ — an exclusive volume control architecture with four–way volume synchronization brings convenience and dynamic range comparable to the best analogue volume controls
- Headphone Output(1): Headphone amplifier with doubled current output provides improved driving of low impedance and low sensitivity headphones
- Digital Inputs: SPDIF(1) and TOSLINK(1) inputs with customizable jitter control offer superb D/A conversion when used with CD transports
- Dual-mono output stage topology offers reduced EM interference and reduced channel cross-talk, resulting in better detail and resolution
- Analog Outputs: Simultaneously driven stereo autonomous balanced and unbalanced output stages. Gold–plated balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs
- Enhanced micro-symmetry of the balanced outputs
- Power Management: 12V Trigger output(1)
- Remote Control: Included 7 button IR remote, s82 Mark II can be configured to work with most IR remotes
- Remote Support, Remote Diagnostics, Remote Updates
MSRP (2TB/6TB):
- US: $7,599.00/$7,999.00
- CA: $9,879.00/$10,399.00
For more information visit the exaSound web site.
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