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Weiss Engineering DAC501
Compact DAC, AUDIO PROCESSOR, AND NETWORK RENDERER
Unveil the true sound of the audio material with the compact DAC501-MK2 digital-to-analog converter. The DAC501-MK2 goes beyond simply reproducing your sound — it also lets you correct frequency imbalances in your room and adjust the sound to better suit your preference.
Latest firmware: version 2.8.1 adds the Qobuz Connect featurewww.qobuz.com
ACCURATE AND ADJUSTABLE
The DAC501-MK2 is not only one of the best digital-to-analog converters available on the market today, offering an accurate and soulful presentation of the audio.
It also includes user-configurable settings, from room EQ and de-essing to crosstalk cancellation, dynamics compensation, loudness control, and even vinyl emulation.
HIGH CONNECTIVITY
The DAC501-MK2 comes with digital inputs in numerous formats and has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384 kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.
Furthermore, the unit functions as a preamp, headphone amp, and streamer (UPnP/ROON).
The DAC501-MK2 also seamlessly integrates with the JPLAY iOS app – you can enjoy your favorite tracks from Qobuz, Tidal, and your local collection, all in one unified library.
The standard two-channel unit can be upgraded to the MK2 version. The MK2 has in its 2 channel mode a superior performance compared to the standard DAC501.A description of the MK2 version can be downloaded from here.
DAC501-MK2 PRODUCT COMPARISON
The DAC501-MK2 and DAC502-MK2 are identical, apart from the latter using a larger enclosure and an additional 4-pin headphone socket at the back of the unit. Both models are offered in aluminum or black finishes.
The DAC501-MK2 includes all the audio processing features of the DSP501 — so one could view the latter unit as a DAC501-MK2 without the D/A conversion.
PURIST SIGNAL path
To achieve its exceptional performance specifications, the DAC501-MK2 uses dual 32-bit D/A converter chips, with two conversion channels per audio channel.
It also uses an internal high-precision/low jitter clock generator for ultra-stable clocking of the D/A converter section.
PROFESSIONAL PROCESSING
The built-in audio processing is based on the same trailblazing algorithms used in Weiss Engineering’s professional audio tools.
So with the DAC501-MK2, you can adjust your audio using the same professional-grade algorithms that were likely used to mix and master the original recording.
EASE OF USE
The DAC501-MK2 comes with an IR remote control which can be used to select the active input and output, the DSP audio processing presets, and switch power on and off.
Furthermore, it is possible to control and configure the DAC501-MK2 via a web browser, which adds detailed control of the DSP processing and preset management.
Dealers selling Weiss Engineering near you
Authorized dealers for Weiss Engineering DAC501
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- à la carte productions — in-store — Palm Coast, Florida, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Akustik Strauss — in-store — Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bayern, Germany (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- Audio Natali — in-store — Montecatini Terme, Toscana, Italy (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
- Audiolife — in-store — Buren, Gelderland, Netherlands (website)
and 28 more verified dealers
The DAC501 delivers uncanny detail, a three-dimensional soundstage, and a lively, neutral presentation that keeps every line locked in place. HiFi News praised its transparency, while SoundStage Solo found it harmonically right and deeply engaging. Add streaming, headphone output, and flexible DSP, and it becomes a serious all-in-one digital hub.
Pros
- Exceptionally open, detailed, and transparent sound with strong separation and depth
- Highly versatile feature set with streaming, headphone amp, balanced/unbalanced outputs, and extensive DSP tools
- Excellent build quality and premium fit and finish
- Strong, controlled headphone performance with taut bass and convincing space via crosstalk cancellation
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Cons
- The control system can feel awkward, with the knob and touchscreen not fully gelling for some users
- Its sound can be a touch forward or mechanized rather than relaxed and organic
- It is expensive, making the value proposition dependent on taking advantage of its full feature set
Sound Quality
92/100
Weighted average of sub-criteria below. Reviewers consistently describe the DAC501 as neutral, open, and musically engaging, with a presentation that feels lively rather than خشک or clinical. The consensus suggests a special-sounding converter that balances warmth, transparency, and involvement well for its class.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
92/100
Reviewers describe the DAC501 as neutral yet appealingly musical, with David Price calling neutrality its standout feature and noting a smooth, spacious, delicate treble alongside strong, tactile bass. Uday Reddy also found the sound harmonically right and even somewhat warmer than his system, without excessive richness or transient smoothing, which points to a refined and listenable tonal balance.
Resolution and Detail
95/100
The DAC501 is repeatedly praised for exceptional openness and detail retrieval. Reviewers mention it being 'uncannily open and detailed,' stripping haze from recordings, separating instrumental strands clearly, and allowing every line and lick to be well delineated; that is strong evidence for top-tier resolution.
Digital Performance
91/100
Reviewer language points to a very clean, controlled digital presentation with strong spatial precision, fast timing, and reduced jitter-related effects. The DAC501 is described as lithe, accurate between the notes, and free of haze or fog, though the reviews stop short of the kind of absolute superlatives that would justify the mid-90s here.
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Build Quality
93/100
Build quality is consistently praised as excellent, with comments about sublime finish, tight layout, top-notch components, expertly machined steel casework, and a thick aluminum fascia. The evidence strongly supports premium construction and careful execution, though the reviews focus more on exterior craftsmanship and fit/finish than on deep internal engineering detail.
Features Connectivity
93/100
The DAC501 is exceptionally well equipped: AES/EBU, coax, optical, USB, Ethernet streaming, balanced and unbalanced outputs, headphone amplification, Roon Ready support, and a comprehensive DSP suite. The touch screen, remote, and web interface add real usability, and the feature set is clearly above basic or merely well-equipped territory, though not quite so universal as to merit the very top of the scale.
Value for Money
85/100
The DAC501 is certainly expensive, with reviewers explicitly calling it 'costly,' but they also describe it as 'well worth auditioning' and 'an easy recommendation' given its technical innovation and unusually broad functionality. In context, the value case is positive but premium-priced rather than bargain-like, so the score sits in the justified-premium range rather than the bargain tier.
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