M2Tech Young MkIV

The Young MkIV is a digital-to-analogue converter from M2Tech, designed to turn the digital signal from various sources into an analogue signal usable by a hi-fi system. Its distinctive feature lies in its output stage: a volume control and gain buffer built around a resistor network allow it to function as a genuine preamplifier, capable of driving a power amplifier directly without an intermediate stage.

On the conversion side, the unit accepts PCM from 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz at a resolution of 16 to 32 bits, as well as DSD up to 512x natively and 256x in DoP. This broad format support ensures wide compatibility with high-resolution audio files and streams from network players or computers. The total harmonic distortion (THD+N) of 0.0008% at 5 Vrms on the balanced output and the signal-to-noise ratio of 122 dBA reflect a carefully designed output stage, with output impedances of 100 ohms unbalanced and 200 ohms balanced. The USB interface is galvanically isolated and internally powered, which limits interference from the source computer.

Digital connectivity covers S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB 2.0 and I2S in HDMI format compatible with PS Audio, while an unbalanced analogue input allows a phono preamplifier, tape deck or radio to be connected to make use of the preamp function. On the output side, the XLR and RCA connectors, combined with a capacity of 5 Vrms unbalanced and 10 Vrms balanced, allow even relatively insensitive power amplifiers to be driven. A 6.35 mm jack headphone output and a 3.5 mm jack trigger socket round off the unit, as does MQA decoding supported across all wired inputs.

This DAC is aimed at hi-fi enthusiasts wishing to simplify their system by removing a separate preamplifier, while retaining high-level digital-to-analogue conversion. It is equally suited to a purely digital setup, driven from a computer or network server via USB or I2S, and to a mixed configuration incorporating an analogue source thanks to its dedicated input.