Metrum Acoustics Sonnet Morpheus MK-II
The Sonnet Morpheus MK-II brings lively, unconventional digital playback to discerning systems, pairing a balanced non-oversampling R-2R architecture with a short, lossless volume path. Stereophile found its presentation notably energetic, while USB, AES/EBU, coaxial and optical inputs plus balanced outputs make this a versatile hub for serious PCM-focused setups.
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Just Okay
Sound Quality
79/100
Build Quality
75/100
Features Connectivity
81/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Lively, engaging presentation rather than a softened or sluggish sound.
Reference-voltage volume control enables a short, lossless signal path.
Thoughtful R-2R design and original engineering choices distinguish it from typical delta-sigma DACs.
Cons
Its volume-control implementation can be problematic with high-gain amplifiers or highly sensitive speakers, though the MK-II adds a 10dB output reduction option.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 79/100
The available listening comments suggest an energetic, unconventional presentation rather than a sleepy or softened one. However, the supplied excerpts offer little direct discussion of detail retrieval, tonal range, imaging, or long-term listening character.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
82/100
Stereophile found “nothing lethargic” about the Morpheus, pointing to a lively and engaging musical presentation. The reviewer also says it prompted a reappraisal of assumptions about digital sound, though the supplied excerpt does not further characterize tonal balance or fatigue.
Resolution and Detail
75/100
The supplied review material does not directly address micro-detail, separation, low-level retrieval, or spatial resolution. There is therefore little reviewer evidence on how clearly the Morpheus exposes fine musical information.
Digital Performance
78/100
The review discusses the converter’s design and its short, lossless volume-control signal path, but does not make clear listening claims about noise, glare, grain, timing, or digital artifacts. Published specifications cite a very low noise floor, but the supplied review excerpts do not describe its audible effect.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
75/100
The supplied material provides limited reviewer commentary on chassis construction, internal layout, parts quality, or long-term durability. Specifications indicate a compact unit with an internal mains-powered supply and an aluminum remote, but reviewers do not substantially assess workmanship.
Features Connectivity
81/100
The Morpheus MK-II provides USB, optical, coaxial S/PDIF, and AES/EBU digital inputs, along with both RCA and balanced XLR outputs. It supports PCM to 384 kHz via USB, includes remote control, and offers a board-switchable 10 dB output reduction, although there is no streaming, Bluetooth, headphone output, or DSD support listed.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $2,861 to $3,399, the Morpheus competes in a serious upper-mid-priced DAC segment. The supplied Stereophile excerpts do not directly judge its value against competing DACs or characterize the asking price as especially compelling or difficult to justify.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Model
- Balanced Non oversampling DAC
- Module(s)
- Two SDA-2 DAC modules per channel in differential mode
- Frequency Response
- 44.1 kHz sampling 1Hz – 20 khz -1dB. 192 kHz sampling 1Hz – 65 kHz – 3dB and 384kHz (USB)
- Noise Floor
- -155 dB related to 2 Volt RMS
- Output Impedance
- RCA 100 Ohm, XLR 100 Ohm
- Outputs
- 1x stereo pair single ended 2 Volts RMS. In -10dB mode 0.66 Volts RMS. 1x stereo pair XLR balanced 4 Volts RMS In -10dB mode 1.33 Volts RMS
- Inputs
- 1x optical, 1x coaxial and 1x AES/EBU and USB
- Channel Separation
- 120dB
- Distortion
- 0.004% THD
- Sampling rate Optical
- 44.1 – 96 kHz
- Sampling rate Coax and AES/EBU
- 44.1 -192 kHz
- Sampling rate USB
- 44.1 – 384kHz
- Sampling rate I2S
- 44.1 – 384kHz
- Power Supply
- 15VA 110/115V AC 220/230V AC 50/60Hz
- Power Requirement
- max 8 Watts
- Products Dimensions
- 290 x 250 x 70 mm
- Product Weight
- 3.2KG
- Included accessories
- Aluminum six button remote control
Manufacturer's Description — Metrum Acoustics
Morpheus MK-II is born: now equipped with an additional -10dB attenuator that allows the Morpheus to be combined as a digital preamplifier with highly sensitive tube designs.
Morpheus MK-II is born
In the past two years, the Morpheus has become an international success. In addition to its use as a normal DAC, the Morpheus has also been widely used as a digital preamplifier. Until now, its use was limited to a series of solid state power amplifiers. However, the MK-II version is now equipped with an additional -10dB attenuator that allows the Morpheus to be combined as a digital preamplifier with highly sensitive tube designs. By means of internal jumper settings the output voltage can easily be reduced from 2V RCA and 4V XLR to 0.7V RCA and 1.33V XLR respectively, which in practice comes down to -10dB.
Nationally and internationally, the Morpheus is recognized and acclaimed for its unique sound character. A modified version of the Morpheus DAC is used in Haarlem, the Netherlands, where we have one of the most amazing companies in the field of mastering and production of vinyl. "Artone studios" is the place where music can be recorded with both digital and analogue systems. At the "Record Industry", cutting and mastering prior to the vinyl production process is realized. Details of these companies can be found at https://www.artone-studio.com and https://www.recordindustry.com.
Nowadays, many digital masters are also supplied for conversion to vinyl. To make that conversion possible but next to keep the sound as close as possible to the original recording, a digital to analogue converter is needed that does its work without any artifacts or degradation. Not only productions made in their own recording facility, but also famous and prestigious music labels bring their analog and digital masters to the "Record Industry" to have their productions pressed on vinyl.
When it comes to analog equipment, both Artone and the Record Industry have a wide range of equipment with a very high reputation so that the material offered retains its analog character as musicians and producers intended. The Morpheus is used to supply the converted signal to the Neumann VMS80 (lacquer) and VMS82 (DMM) Lathes for DMM cuts.
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Authorized dealers for Metrum Acoustics Sonnet Morpheus MK-II
- Audio Art Cable — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Elite Audio UK — online and in-store — Pittenweem, Escocia, United Kingdom (website)
- HiFi Heaven — online and in-store — Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States (website)
- ZMFheadphones — online and in-store — Lyons, Illinois, United States (website)